The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for surgical technologists will increase by 25 percent from 2008 through 2018. Once working in the field, technologists can also receive promotions to the position of first surgical assistant, which results in higher pay and increased responsibilities. Both entry and advancement within the field of surgical assisting requires post-secondary education. A small number of schools offer online surgical tech schools geared to help students move into higher positions or improve their skills.
American Center for Excellence in Surgical Assisting, Inc.
Based in Greenwood, Colorado, the American Center for Excellence in Surgical Assisting provides a surgical assistant program for individuals currently working in the field of surgical technology. The program carries the approval of the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). It begins with nine months of entirely online coursework, which covers topics like anatomy, instrumentation and procedures. During the course of the nine-month period, students visit one of the school's regional training sites in cities like Atlanta; Houston; Portland, Oregon; Kansas City; and Baltimore. Students spend six days at these sites receiving intensive, hands-on training. When they return to the hospitals where they work, technologists are given more than 150 additional practice tasks to complete on-the-job with monitoring from their supervisors. When all of the online classes and practice tasks are complete, the Center awards graduates with a certificate of completion.
American Center for Excellence in Surgical Assisting, Inc.
4950 South Yosemite St.
F2 #343
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
303-221-4680
acesatraining.com
National Institute of First Assisting
The National Institute of First Assisting has its headquarters in Centennial, Colorado, and offers a CAAHEP-approved online program in surgical assisting. Admission requirements for the program include proof of completion of a basic surgical technology certificate or associate degree program, or proof of previous coursework in medical terminology, anatomy, microbiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Students complete all of the coursework for the program at home, including 23 laboratory assignments. These tasks require students to complete a project, such as stitching, and then mail the project back to the school for grading. No on-site, in-person workshops are required, and because all of the work is completed independently, students do not need to be actively employed in surgical technology to participate in the program.
National Institute of First Assisting, Inc.
12354 East Caley Ave.
Suite 108
Centennial, CO 80111
800-922-7747
nifa.com
New England Institute of Technology
The New England Institute of Technology is a CAAHEP-approved school in Warwick, Rhode Island. In addition to its traditional, classroom-based programs, the institute also offers an entirely online surgical technology certificate program. To enroll, students must show evidence of current or previous employment in surgical technology, but are not required to have any post-secondary education. An admissions test is also mandatory. The program typically requires 12 to 18 months to complete, but students have up to four years to complete all courses. Among the topics covered in the curriculum are pharmacology, anatomy, pathophysiology and psychology. Students receive credit for their work experience in the field, and therefore are not required to participate in any internships or in-person training.
New England Institute of Technology
2500 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
401-739-5000
neit.edu
Tags: surgical technology, American Center, American Center Excellence, Center Excellence, Center Excellence Surgical