Online Surgical Technologist Degree Programs

<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td>Associate's and bachelor's degrees offer classes online</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Common Course Topics</b></td><td>Anatomy, operations protocol, patient care, medical terminologies, medical ethics</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Technology Requirements</b></td><td>Broadband Internet connection and specified browser needed to interact with class and view course materials</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Average Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $51,510 (<i>for all surgical technologists</i>)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>Surgical technology programs can teach you how to prepare medical instruments and clean operating tables before and after surgical procedures. You'll gain the knowledge needed to assist surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals. You'll also develop your communication skills, since you'll need to interact with patients on a daily basis. Common surgical technology topics that are covered in associate's and bachelor's degree programs include: </p><ul><li>Current health care issues </li><li>Medical terminologies </li><li>Surgical procedures </li><li>Anatomy </li><li>Operations protocol </li><li>Patient care </li><li>Medical ethics </li></ul><p>Online associate's degree programs often allow you to take many of your classes online, but require you to complete a clinical portion of the program on campus or at a local hospital. Some associate's degree programs might only let you take general education courses online, while your surgical technology courses must be completed on campus. </p><p>Online bachelor's degree programs are usually offered as degree completion programs, so you must already hold your associate's degree in surgical technology or be a certified surgical technologist. During a bachelor's degree program, you usually can integrate independent study into your coursework, and you may need to complete a capstone project. </p><h3 id="section---HowIsTheOnlineComponentPresented">How Is the Online Component Presented?</h3><p>Online classes in surgical technology usually have lectures that contain video and audio components. You can communicate with students and instructors through e-mail, discussion boards and social media networks. Some classes might require you to participate in group discussions at a mandatory time, but the majority of online work can be performed asynchronously. Most online programs recommend that you have a broadband Internet connection and use a specific Web browser. </p><h3 id="section---WhatAreMyCareerProspects">What Are My Career Prospects?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers prefer to hire surgical technologists who have earned the Certified Surgical Technologist designation (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). In order to acquire this voluntary certification, you'll need to pass an exam and graduate from a surgical technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). To renew your certification, you're required to retake the examination every four years and pursue continuing education. </p><p>The BLS reported that surgical technologist positions were predicted to increase 7% from 2019-2029, which was faster than average. Surgical technologists made an average salary of $51,510 in May 2020.</p>