Course Overview
Course Duration: 500 hours (8-9 months)
Externship Duration: 155 procedures (~300 hours/3-4 months)
Enrollment Cost: $2,000
Tuition Cost: $18,000
Our Tech in Surgery (Surgical Technology) course is an accelerated program that prepares students to transition into a healthcare career in under a year. This program meets the recognized national and international credentialing industry standards for the development, implementation, and maintenance of certification programs set by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Ideal applicants will have education or work experience in microbiology, medical terminology, physiology, and anatomy. Examples of relevant credentials include: college coursework (no degree required) and healthcare certifications (RN, LVN, MA, SPD, EKG, etc.).
This course prepares students to work as Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs). These are medical professionals who assist surgeons, registered nurses, and anesthesiologists in the operating room during surgeries. They perform vital functions such as handing off instruments, setting up and maintaining a sterile field, and operating powered 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
- Setting Up Surgical Instruments and Drapes
- Passing Surgical Instruments and Other Sterile Supplies to Surgeons and Assistants
- Energy Sources in the Perioperative Area
This course prepares you to pass the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) certification exam for Tech in Surgery (TS-C). NCCT certification is accepted in the United States & credentials are valid for 5 years. This course includes a free BLS Certification from Zenith Career Services.
By enrolling, you will be rewarded with a stable & well-paid career, especially considering that a college degree is not required. Surgical Technology jobs continue to grow as healthcare needs remain steady. Check out our blog post on Surgical Technologist job outlook.
Course Components
Our program is one of the fastest in California at just 8-9 months depending on the schedule of your choice. We offer a variety of schedules so you can choose the one that works for you. Unique features of the course include:
- Weekday, Night, and Weekend Classes
- 400 Hours of Live Online Classes
- 100 Hours of In-Person Labs
- Qualification for the NCCT Exam in just 500 hours
- 240-400 Externship Hours (155 procedures)
- Professionalism, Job Search, and Externship Preparation Workshop
Our Tech in Surgery program also includes a host of student benefits at no extra cost:
- Textbook & Uniform
- Comprehensive NCCT Exam Review
- BLS/CPR Certification from Zenith Career Services.
- One Free NCCT Exam Attempt from Zenith Career Services only.
- Qualification for Altamont Healthcare's Externship Program Upon Passing the NCCT Exam.
Altamont Healthcare graduates who have passed the board exam are eligible for our exclusive externship program which lasts for 155 procedures (approx. 300 hours). Externships provide real-world training and hands-on experience in a partner medical facility and the opportunity to impress employers with your performance. Externships are a great way to receive job training, earn work experience, build connections before applying for a paid position.
Tech in Surgery Fall 2024 Schedule
We are offering a Weekend Class for Tech in Surgery (Surgical Technology) in Fall 2024. 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 TS-C Class in Fall 2024:
- Weekend Class: Friday 8am – 5pm & Saturday 8am – 5pm
Weekend Class Details:
- Start Date: Jul. 26, 2024
- End Date: Mar. 15, 2025
- Orientation Date: Jul. 19, 2024 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Jul. 26, 2024
- 2nd – Aug. 10, 2024
- 3rd – Sep. 10, 2024
Tech in Surgery Summer 2024 Schedule
We are offering 2 TS-C Class in Summer 2024:
- 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: April 8, 2024
- End Date: Nov 15, 2024
- Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday 9AM – 1PM
- Orientation Date: April 1, 2024 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – April 8, 2024
- 2nd – May 10, 2024
- 3rd – June 10, 2024
Night Class Details:
- Start Date: April 8, 2024
- End Date: November 15, 2024
- Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- Orientation Date: April 1, 2024 @ 5:30PM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – April 4, 2024
- 2nd – May 10, 2024
- 3rd – June 10, 2024
| Costs | Refund Policy | |
| TOTAL FEES AND CHARGES | $20,000.00 | |
| Registration Fee | $250.00 | Non-refundable |
| Books | $750.00 | Textbooks prices fluctuate depending on recent book editions and changes by publishers. |
| Lab & Materials | $850.00 | Non-refundable upon removal from packaging. |
| Uniform & PPE | $150.00 | Non-refundable upon removal from packaging. |
| Tuition | $18,000.00 | Refundable subject to Rules and Procedure below |
| Student Tuition Recovery Fund Fee | $0.00 | Non-Refundable; $0 for every $1,000 rounded to the nearest $1,000 |
| ESTIMATED DUE FOR THE ENTIRE PROGRAM | $20,000.00* | |
| TOTAL CHARGES FOR CURRENT PERIOD OF ATTENDANCE | $20,000.00* | |
| CHARGES DUE UPON ENROLLMENT | $2,000.00* |
*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): $2,000.00
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.
Option #4: The student accepts a loan from Climb Credit to cover the tuition balance. Learn more.
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 and/or withholding the program certificate. 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 admissions interview* & pass a Wonderlic test**
Although not required, knowledge and/or experience in Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Microbiology are considered during the admissions process to determine your readiness 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 admissions interview will determine your aptitude and readiness for this program. You will be asked about your relevant experience and you must provide a record of previous academic performance (e.g., college transcripts or relevant certifications). **Wonderlic will not test for the background subjects mentioned above., it will evaluate basic math, logic, and English 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. From there, our Admissions Department will guide you through our enrollment process.
To apply for the TS-C program, 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). We will not process your application if you do not pay the application fee.
Once your application has been accepted, you will be emailed your student portal login and you may access the student portal to complete the enrollment documents. Once your enrollment is complete, you will receive a link to the course registration page. After you’ve registered for your class, 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.
