Surgical Technology is an Associate Of Occupational Science program offered by North-West College in Riverside, CA. The program takes 80 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $40,690.
Program Overview
Surgical Technologists (also known as surgical techs, operating room technicians, and OR techs) assist in surgical operations, preparing operating rooms and helping surgeons, nurses, and doctors before and during surgical procedures.
Surgical Technologists are a vital member of the operating room team, passing instruments to surgeons during surgeries, maintaining sterile fields, keeping instrument tables organized and managing operating room supplies to ensure that procedures flow smoothly and successful.
The Surgical Technologist program at North-West College is a career-focused program that teaches technical skills and provides the hands-on training experience required to begin working with surgeons, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, registered nurses and other surgical personnel as a member of a surgical team.
Surgical Technologists routinely perform a variety of important tasks, including:
- Preparing operating rooms for surgery.
- Sterilizing equipment and make sure that there are adequate supplies for surgery.
- Helping surgeons during surgery by passing them instruments and other sterile supplies.
- Counting supplies, such as sponges and instruments.
- Maintaining a sterile environment.
Program objectives. The Surgical Technology program is designed to instruct in all phases of Surgical Technology, and to prepare competent, entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Upon completion, the graduate can effectively work with and under the supervision of surgeons or registered nurses and become an integral part of the team providing care to patients during the crucial periods of surgery. Much of the training is focused on the clinical aspect of the program where the students gain skills in helping to set up the operating room; prepare patients for surgery; scrub, gown and glove self and other team members; pass instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons; help care for and dispose of specimens; and assist nurses in cleaning and stocking the operating room for the next operation. The curriculum reflects the latest developments in biomedical science. A graduate of the Surgical Technology program may be employed as a member of an operating room team, which includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. In addition to hospital operating rooms, our graduates will be qualified to work in surgical centers, delivery rooms, and medical clinics.
Admission Requirements and Process
North-West College seeks students who are interested in practical career training and who are motivated to succeed in their chosen career fields. Admissions representatives are available at each campus to assist potential students in the admissions process. All courses offered at North-West College are in English.
Applicants for this program must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED®, HiSET™, TASC™, a California High School Proficiency Exam certificate, or a homeschool transcript) and provide verifiable documentation; students who do not possess a high school diploma or equivalent may not apply for admission to this program.
Applicants complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) during the enrollment process; the catalog addendum sets a minimum score of 16 for this program.
In some programs, students will be subject to criminal background checks, physical examination, and drug screening prior to being assigned an externship or clinical site.
Programs offered at North-West College are only offered to residents of the State of California.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalentYou must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent and provide verifiable documentation.
- Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)You must achieve a minimum score of 16 on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) for this program.
- Admissions interview and tourYou must complete an admissions interview and tour of the College, and this program may require an additional interview with the Campus Director, Program Director, Director of…
- State residencyPrograms are only offered to residents of the State of California; you attest to your physical address on the Enrollment Agreement.
- Registration feeYou must pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date, or make arrangements to pay.
Application Process
- 1Contact AdmissionsReach out to the College by calling 1-888-408-4211, filling out an information form on the website, or emailing admissions@success.edu.
- 2Interview and tour the CollegeSchedule an appointment with an Admissions Representative to complete an admissions interview and tour of the College.
- 3Submit your applicationComplete one of the College’s applications; an Admissions Representative will contact you to set up an appointment and answer any questions you may have.
- 4Provide documents and take the entrance assessmentProvide or request official high school graduation or equivalent documentation and take the standardized basic skills assessment for your program.
- 5Meet with a Financial Aid AdvisorInterview with a Financial Aid Advisor prior to completing the enrollment process.
- 6Complete enrollmentReview the College’s catalog and required disclosures, complete the Enrollment Agreement, and pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date.
Program Schedule
The College can enroll cohorts on a weekly basis for the Dental Assistant, Massage Therapist, Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Biller and Coder, and Pharmacy Technician programs of study. Enrollment cohorts for Vocational Nurse, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, and the Associate of Science in Healthcare Administration are limited to several times each year. Specific start dates can be obtained from your Admissions Representative.
The majority of our weekday classes meet Monday through Thursday, while others meet Monday through Friday and/or include weekend classes. Programs scheduled to meet evenings and/or weekends may have a longer program length than the day programs.
No start dates are published online for this campus; classes begin throughout the year, so contact your local North-West College campus to learn when the next program is scheduled to start.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program charges.
- Tuition, 1st academic year: $16,902
- Tuition, 2nd academic year: $16,276
- Tuition, 3rd academic year: $7,512
- Books and supplies: $750
- Registration fee (non-refundable): $100
- STRF: $0.00
- Total program charges: $41,540
Books and Supplies consist of Uniforms, Textbooks, Supplies, and Tutoring. Also, Review Courses where License or Certification is required. For Federal Financial Aid purposes, an academic year is a minimum of 30 weeks, 900 clock hours, or 24 semester credits.
Cost of attendance. The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of expenses and costs for a typical student to attend a college or university for one academic year. It includes estimated costs you may incur for housing, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. For informational purposes, the average monthly estimated costs for a student who lives off-campus for the 2025-2026 school year is $3,015 per month.
Financial aid. North-West College participates in federal and state financial aid programs. All applicants must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and meet with the Financial Aid Office either by telephone or in person on campus to complete the financial aid process. Programs available to students who qualify include: Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans and Cal Grant B and C awards. Federal School Code (FAFSA): 012872.
Veterans Administration (VA) educational benefits may be available to those individuals who qualify. North-West College is approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) and is approved to train State Vocational Rehabilitation students; certain campuses are approved to train students eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding.
Payment plans. Students may also choose to make payments towards their tuition and fees directly to the College. North-West College offers a credit extension option, which includes a payment plan without interest where the balance must be paid within 12 months. Students who have limited financial aid assistance may qualify for alternative educational loans through a private lender.
Net Price Calculator: https://nw.edu/net-price-calculator/
Curriculum
The Surgical Technology program is designed to instruct in all phases of Surgical Technology, and to prepare competent, entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
All programs are systematically divided into courses making it easy for the student to enter at multiple times during the year and begin their program of study.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the program routinely find jobs working in:
- Hospitals
- Surgical centers
- Outpatient clinics
- Physicians’ offices who perform outpatient surgery
Careers. Surgical Technologist.
North-West College cannot guarantee employment.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). The Surgical Technology program is accredited by CAAHEP upon the recommendation of ARC/STSA.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
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