
Course Overview
Course Duration: 500 hours (~8 months)
Externship Duration: 300 hours (3-4 months)
Enrollment Cost: $2,050
Tuition Cost: $18,000
Accreditation: National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
Our Tech in Surgery (Surgical Technology) course is an accelerated program that prepares students to transition into a healthcare career in under 1 year. Tech In Surgery are medical professionals that assist surgeons, registered nurses (RNs), and anesthesiologists in the operating room. They perform vital functions such as handing off instruments, setting up and maintaining a sterile field, and operating powered surgical equipment.
By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge in:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology & Medical Terminology
- Sterile field maintenance
- Aseptic surgical technique
- How to set up surgical instruments and drapes
- How to pass surgical instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons and assistants
- Various energy sources in the perioperative area, such as electricity used for surgery.
This course prepares you to pass the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) certification exam for Surgical Technology. This certification is valid everywhere in the United States & the credentials are valid for 5 years, though annual recertification is highly recommended.
Surgical Technology is a stable career which pays well, considering that a college degree is not required. ST jobs continue to grow as healthcare needs remain steady. Check out our blog post to learn more about job outlook.
Course Components
Online Lectures - 80% of this course (400 hours) will be delivered through online lectures on Zoom. Lectures can range from 4 hours to 8 hours, depending on the class schedule. Lectures are mandatory & attendance is taken daily.
In-person Labs - 20% of this course (100 hours) will be in-person at either our Stockton or Bakersfield locations. Labs will be conducted every week or every 2 weeks depending on your schedule. The in-person component encourages students to apply the knowledge from their lectures under the supervision of their instructors.
Externship (optional) - This portion lasts 240-400 hours post-graduation. Graduates may enroll into externships after they have passed the NCCT board exam. Externs volunteer in hospitals to gain valuable real-world experience and make professional connections. For more information, visit our Externship page.
Tech in Surgery Fall 2023 Schedule
We are offering a Day and Night Class for Tech in Surgery (Surgical Technology) in Summer 2023. The program consists of 8 months of instruction followed by 2-4 months of externship in a hospital after passing the NCCT board exam.
Externship placement is guaranteed, granted that you pass both the program and the NCCT board exam. Your externship schedule will be decided between you and your contracted hospital. You will be allowed to choose your preferred sites, but the placement timeline for your preferred sites is not guaranteed due to variable demand.
We are offering 1 ST Class in Fall 2023:
- Weekend Class: Friday and Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Weekend Class Details:
- Start Date: November 3, 2023
- End Date: June 22, 2024
- Friday and Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Orientation Date: October 27, 2023 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – November 3, 2023
- 2nd – December 10, 2023
- 3rd – January 10, 2024
Tech in Surgery Summer 2023 Schedule
We are offering 2 Tech in Surgery Class in Summer 2023:
- Day Class: Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 1pm
- Night Class: Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Day Class Details:
- Start Date: July 17, 2023
- End Date: March 5, 2024
- Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday 9AM – 1PM
- Orientation Date: July 10, 2023 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – July 17, 2023
- 2nd – August 10, 2023
- 3rd – All following payments are due on the 10th of every following month
Night Class Details:
- Start Date: July 17, 2023
- End Date: March 5, 2024
- Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- Orientation Date: July 10, 2023 @ 5:30PM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – July 17, 2023
- 2nd – August 10, 2023
- 3rd – All following payments are due on the 10th of every following month
Costs | Refund Policy | |
TOTAL FEES AND CHARGES | $20,050.00 | |
Registration Fee | $250.00 | Non-refundable |
Books | $750.00 | Textbooks prices fluctuate depending on recent book editions and changes by publishers. |
Materials and Lab Fee | $1000.00 | Non-refundable upon removal from packaging. |
Tuition | $18,000.00 | Refundable subject to Rules and Procedure below |
Student Tuition Recovery Fund Fee | $50.00 | Non-Refundable; $2.50 for every $1,000 rounded to the nearest $1,000 |
ESTIMATED DUE FOR THE ENTIRE PROGRAM | $20,050.00* | |
TOTAL CHARGES FOR CURRENT PERIOD OF ATTENDANCE | $20,050.00* | |
CHARGES DUE UPON ENROLLMENT | $2,050.00* |
*YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AMOUNT. IF YOU GET A STUDENT LOAN, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAYING THE LOAN AMOUNT PLUS ANY INTEREST, LESS THE AMOUNT OF ANY REFUND.
Total Enrollment Cost (Registration& Manual/Lab Materials Fee): $2,050.00
All payment plans below do not include registration and book fees. The payment plans are based on the tuition rate of $18,000.00.
Option #1: Full payment entitles students to 10% discount on tuition payment. ($16,200.00)
Option #2: Make the first installment of $2,250 and pay the remaining amount in full in the second payment; the student gets a 5% discount on the remaining tuition. ($14,962.50 instead of $15,750.00).
Option #3: Tuition may be paid in 8 installments $2,250.00: the first installment is due on or before the first day of class; second to eight installments are due every 10th of the subsequent months.
Payments made seven days after the due date will incur a late charge of $20.00 and students may not be entitled to discounts, when applicable. Nonpayment may be a ground for dropping students from the class. Any delinquent account unpaid for more than 90 days may be referred to a third party for collections.

Course Prerequisites:
- Be at least 18 years or older at the time of enrollment
- Have a valid government-issued photo ID
- Have at least a high-school diploma or GED.
- Complete an interview & a basic skills test* with our Admissions Department
Although not required, coursework or other relevant background in Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Microbiology are considered during the admissions process to determine whether you are a good fit for the program. These subjects are highly recommended, as this program as fast and rigorous; having knowledge in these domains will enable you to excel in the Tech in Surgery program.
*The basic skills test does not test for the background subjects mentioned above. The test will only evaluate basic math, logic, and English language skills. You do not need to study for this test.
Application Process
If you are interested in enrolling to the Surgical Technology program, please contact us to schedule your interview and basic skills testing session. If you are found to be a good fit for our program, Admissions will follow up with you and guide you through our enrollment process.
Altamont Healthcare aims to make enrollment and financing as easy as possible. With simple prerequisites and flexible payment options, we offer simplicity and affordability when it comes to getting your education.
To apply for our programs, you can submit an application online here. To reserve a spot in the class, you must complete the application and pay the application fee of $250 (non-refundable). Once your application has been accepted, you will be emailed your student portal login.
If you do not pay the $250 application fee, we will not process your application.
Once you receive the login credentials, you may access the student portal and complete the enrollment documents that were sent to your account. Once your enrollment is complete, you will receive a link to the course registration page.
After you’ve registered for your class(es), you will see the course fees and tuition charges appear in your account.
See our Prerequisites and Tuition and Financial Options pages for more information on pricing and payment plans.