Surgical Technology

Surgical tech maintaining surgery tools

Surgical Technology 

Surgical Technology Apprentice
Registered Apprentice
65 Credits / 2 Years / 6 Semesters 
(This is an associate degree-aligned apprenticeship)

Unique in the State

Surgical Technology*
Associate Degree
65 Credits | 2 Years

*Financial Aid-Eligible

New Richmond

Combination of Online, Hybrid, and On-Site (For Apprenticeship Work Location) instruction

Career Cluster: Health Sciences

What is an Apprenticeship?

A Registered Apprenticeship is a state-certified training program that combines paid related instruction and on the job training. Apprentices are trained under a written training agreement called an indenture. While indentured, the employer agrees to teach the student the skills of the trade and the apprentice agrees to learn the skills involved.

Registered Apprenticeship Overview

Surgical technologists are health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings.

The surgical technologist works under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room or environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Associate degree graduates* may be eligible to take a national certification exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

 


 

*Northwood Tech is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) who accredits programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). Graduates of an accredited program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a certified surgical technologist. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's eligibility for certification.

Program Outcomes

Surgical Technology graduates will be able to:

  • Apply healthcare and technological science principles to the perioperative environment
  • Maintain principles of sterile technique in the surgical environment
  • Provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for the patient
  • Prepare the patient, operating room and surgical team for the preoperative phase
  • Perform intraoperative case management in the scrub role
  • Perform postoperative case management
  • Function as an ethical, legal, and professional member of the healthcare team as determined by governing bodies

To prepare entry-level surgical technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Technical Standards

In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program. 

Learn More About Technical Standards for this Program

Surgical Technician hands instrument to surgeon

On-the-job learning is 90% of apprenticeships. Apprentices are full-time, paid employees trained by the employer's skilled workers. 

Inside an operating room

Wage scale of apprentice systematically increases throughout the apprenticeship

Surgical team washes hand prior to surgery

Apprentices learn the theory and lab behind daily job duties.


Academics

The Surgical Technology apprenticeship courses are available through a combination of Online, Hybrid, and On Site (for Apprenticeship Work Location) instruction.

Associate Degree-Aligned Apprenticeship 

Students enrolled in the Surgical Technology apprenticeship program can apply to the associate degree program. Associate degree graduates* may be eligible to take a national certification exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Program Features

This two-year apprenticeship includes 3,584 hours of on-the-job training, 816 hours of paid related instruction and 8 hours of unpaid related instruction.

Clinical Experience

The Surgical Technology program provides students with quality clinical experience with surrounding area healthcare partners.

Required Courses

Program courses are state-approved and designed specifically to meet employer needs. The unpaid related coursework is designed specifically to the local employers needs.

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Surgical Technology Courses

10512125
|
UGRD
| 4 CR
Provides the foundational knowledge of the occupational environment. Principles of sterilization and disinfection are learned. Surgical instruments are introduced. Preoperative patient care concepts are simulated. Lab practice is included. PREREQUISITES: 10806177 General Anatomy and Physiology, 10501101 Medical Terminology
10512126
|
UGRD
| 4 CR
Focuses on preparing the patient and operating room for surgery. Principles of sterile technique are emphasized as the student moves into the scrub role. Lab practice is included. PREREQUISITES: 10806177 General Anatomy and Physiology, 10501101 Medical Terminology, COREQUISITE: 10512125 Intro to Surgical Technology
10512132
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Apply basic surgical theories, principles, and procedural techniques in the operating room. Students begin to function as team members under the guidance of the instructor and authorized clinical personnel. PREREQUISITES: 10512128 Surgical Tech Fundamentals 2, 10512130 Surgical Skills Application

 

Admissions and Tuition

To become an apprentice in the state of Wisconsin, one must first be indentured by the State Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS). To become indentured you must:

  • Contact an employer on your own. Employment is a requirement of entering an apprenticeship.
  • Once you have an employer / sponsor, contact the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards to initiate the application process between you and your employer

See Requirements and Application for more details

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.

Learn More About Cost of Attendance

Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*

Surgical Technology

65  Credits | 2 years | 6 Semesters

$10,478

There will be additional costs for unpaid related instruction in addition to the estimated tuition and fees listed above.


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 

 

The Surgical Technology program is supported with funds from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Allied Health Professional Education and Training Grant ($177,156)


After the Northwood Tech Surgical Technology Program 

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you will receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship Completion issued by the Department of Workforce Development - Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (DWD-BAS).

Upon enrollment and completion of the associate degree program, you will earn a  Surgical Technology associate degree.

Accreditation

*Northwood Tech is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) who accredits programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). Graduates of an accredited program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a certified surgical technologist. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's eligibility for certification.


Contact

Eric Lockwood, Director, Apprenticeships and Academies
715.246.1871
Email Eric

students walking on a trail by campus

Get the Northwood Tech experience

Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.

Visit Campus

Find a program icon

Finding the class you want to take has never been easier. 

Find a Class

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.