Online 6-Week Surgical Tech Programs

Surgical technologists play an important role in the operating room, and the demand for surgical techs is expected to increase in the coming years.

To become a surgical tech, you'll need to complete a surgical tech program. Keep reading to discover online 6-week surgical tech programs.

Online 6-Week Surgical Tech Programs

There are very few online surgical tech programs and no programs that can be completed online in as little as six weeks.

Surgical technology is typically a program that needs to be done at least partially in person, as students are required to practice in labs and other in-person settings.

Other Online Surgical Tech Programs

While there aren't very many online surgical tech programs, there are a few. We've listed them below in alphabetical order.

Health Tech Academy

Health Tech Academy is a website offering personalized, short-term online bootcamps for different healthcare careers. It offers an online surgical technologist bootcamp.

The program takes 16 weeks to complete and includes seven courses:

• Course 1: Introduction to Surgical Technology
• Course 2: Diagnostics, Infection Control, and Sterilization
• Course 3: Treating the Surgical Patient
• Course 4: Surgical Skills
• Course 5: Surgical Techniques and Considerations
• Course 6: Additional Surgical Techniques
• Course 7: Professional Skills

Once students have completed the bootcamp, they will be able to test for the Tech in Surgery (TS) certification from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

The bootcamp does not include clinical practice, which must be completed within 24 months of a student passing the certification exam.

This program is not available to students in Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Wisconsin.

MedCerts

MedCerts is a website that provides personalized, short-term training to help students obtain healthcare certifications and credentials. It offers an online surgical technologist career training program.

This program takes 18 weeks to complete and includes three courses:

• Professionalism in Allied Health (two weeks)
• Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology (six weeks)
• Surgical Technology (10 weeks)

After completing the course, students can test for their NCCT TS certification. The program does not include clinical practice but can help students find clinical sites.

This program is not available in Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, or Wisconsin.

Schreiner University

Schreiner University is a private Presbyterian university in Kerrville, Texas. It offers an online surgical technologist certification course.

The course takes 4-6 months to complete and upon completion, students can take the American Allied Health (AAH) surgical technologist certification exam.

The program also offers a volunteer externship opportunity to help students gain hands-on experience.

What Is a Surgical Tech?

A surgical tech is someone who assists with surgical operations. They're sometimes called operating room technicians.

The job duties of a surgical tech may include:

• Preparing the operating rooms for surgery, including sterilizing and testing equipment and ensuring all supplies are stocked
• Preparing patients for surgery by doing things like washing and disinfecting incision sites
• Assisting surgeons during surgery, including helping the surgeons put on their sterile gowns and handing surgeons the tools and instruments they need
• Counting and keeping track of surgical supplies

Surgical techs are part of the healthcare team, along with physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare workers.

They typically work in hospitals but may also work in places like outpatient care centers and physicians' offices.

How to Become a Surgical Tech

To become a surgical tech, you'll first need to complete a surgical technology training program.

These are primarily offered as certificate, diploma, or associate degree programs.

You can often find surgical tech programs through community, technical, and career colleges.

A list of accredited surgical tech programs is available through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

While certification isn't always required to work as a surgical tech, many employers and some states make it mandatory.

Surgical tech certification is available through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, the National Center for Competency Testing, and American Allied Health.

Each certification body has specific prerequisites for certification, so check with the certification agency you plan on certifying through.

You may also be required to become certified in CPR or basic life support depending on your employer.

What's the Job Outlook for Surgical Techs?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of surgical techs is expected to grow 5% between 2022-2032. This is a faster-than-average growth.

In 2022, there were 109,200 surgical techs in the United States. By 2032, that number is expected to be 115,200, an increase of 5,900 jobs across the country.

A large factor in this increase is the aging of the baby boomer generation, which is expected to increase the overall demand for surgical procedures.

Find Online Surgical Tech Programs

There aren't very many online surgical tech programs, but there are a few.

Check out the featured online surgical tech programs above to find the right option for you today.