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Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree Program

Portland, OR

Want to train for a meaningful health care career? Surgical technologists assist surgeons and nurses during life saving operations, help care for and transfer patients, and most importantly, ensure the surgical field is sterile before, during, and after procedures.

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17

Months

68.0

Credit Hours

300

Lab Hours

570

Clinical Hours

Play a Key Role in the Operating Room

  • Gain skills for preparing patients, instruments and the operating field for surgical procedures.
  • Learn by completing 120 different surgical cases, divided among several types of surgery.  
  • Complete your degree in as few as 17-months of study at our Portland campus.  

Program Overview

Surgical technologists keep the operating room safe and organized. It’s their responsibility to make sure the surgical field is sterile, and to ensure that surgeons and surgical assistants have all the instruments and materials they need. In Concorde’s surgical technology program, you can gain the skills you need to perform these important functions in the OR.

The program combines classroom instruction, practice in the labs and clinical rotations in real-world health care facilities. 

Program Benefits

  • Associate Degree in as Few as 17-months
  • Waived Application Fee^
  • No Wait List
  • No Cost Assessment'
  • Expedited Enrollment Process
  • Clinical Site Support
  • Professional Certification Prep
  • Certification Exam Fee Covered`

Now Enrolling

Concorde's Portland campus is seeking dedicated students who want to:

  • Learn to help prepare patients for surgery, operating rooms, assist during procedures, and more
  • Prepare for career opportunities in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and more
  • Earn an associate degree program in as few as 17-months  

Get started by scheduling an in-person or virtual  Career Planning Session  with Concorde today to find out if the Surgical Technology Associate Degree program is right for you!

  1. **Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm#tab-6 Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

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Curriculum

  • 300

    Lab Hours

    Practice On-Campus

    Students will complete on-campus labs including OR simulations and patient prep settings.

  • 570

    Clinical Hours

    Real-World Application

    Taking what you've learned in the classroom and practiced in a lab will culminate with real-world application through clinical rotation(s).

  • The cost for your certification exam as well as pre-certification exam prep coursework is covered by Concorde.

    Tuition fee for the program of study includes the cost for an eligible graduate's first attempt to sit for professional certification.

    Concorde expects all students to complete pre-certification exam prep training through the campus resources at no additional cost to the student.

  1. Prep does not guarantee certification, employment or subsequent salary.

Our associate degree program equips you to pursue a career as a surgical technologist in as few as 17 Months.

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Surgical Technology Theory
  • Surgical Technology Lab
  • Surgical Procedures
  • Surgical Technology Clinical Review

Concorde's surgical technology associate degree program blends theory with hands-on practical experiences. Students will apply their knowledge in on-campus lab operatory settings, becoming familiar with the processes and practices of an operating room.

  • Prior to graduation, surgical technology students must also complete 570 in the field through clinical settings under the guidance of licensed surgeons and surgical technologist.
  • Through your clinicals, you will have an opportunity to engage with 120 different surgical cases, divided among several types of surgery.

The clinical experience provides Concorde graduates with a variety of cases and medical professional interactions - helping you better prepare for a career as a surgical technologist.

When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to take the National Certifying Examination for Surgical Technologists as sponsored by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
Gerald Hale Portland Surgical Technology Program Director

Faculty

Portland Surgical Technology Program Director

Gerald Hale, AAS, CST

Working in the medical field always appealed to me, and the detailed and specific nature of surgical technology made it a good fit. Being a trusted constant in the operating room is key to helping people through surgical intervention. It has truly been a rewarding career over the years.

Surgical Technology is a unique and specific healthcare field, which means that it isn’t for everyone. It takes a special mindset and education to become a surgical technologist. Our accelerated program, covers a great deal of information in a short-period, students should be prepared to make time outside of the classroom to memorize and master critical concepts so that they get the most out of their lab and clinical experiences. You will learn surgical technology theory in the classroom and online, then practice hands-on technique and skills in the lab, and apply that knowledge in clinical settings. You'll gain experience in specific surgical procedures and specialty skills in actual surgeries, on real patients. An intense combination of theory, practice and application intended to prepare you for the O.R.

Like so many of my students, family is my greatest motivator. They want to provide for their families and make them proud. I get it and love helping our students every day take another step toward that end by becoming a valuable part of a surgical team.

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Career Outlook

Surgical Technology is Projected to Experience Positive Growth Demand

As demand rises for preventative and responsive surgical care, so should the need for trained surgical professionals including surgical technologists who can:

  • Prepare patients for procedures and care for them post surgery
  • Sterilize and manage supplies, instruments, equipment and facilities
  • Assist surgeons during procedures
  • Work efficiently alongside other health care providers from surgeons to nurses to anesthesiologists to administrators
6%

Projected national job demand from 2023-2033 

Growing Demand for Surgical Technologists

Projected job demand is based upon national surveys collected from employers by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Address and Hours

Portland Campus

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 8 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
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Financial Aid

As part of our commitment to your success, Concorde ensures that you have access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process. Concorde offers financial aid and scholarship programs to those who qualify.

Concorde Graduate

Financial Aid

Get financial support for your education with our dedicated financial aid team by your side.

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Concorde Student

Scholarships

Find the perfect scholarship for your health care goals based on your background, programs or other criteria.

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Scholarship Opportunities

Healthcare Demand Grant

The Healthcare Demand Grant is designed to assist new, enrolling students who are pursuing education in a healthcare program. No application process. All newly enrolled students are reviewed for eligibility.

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Institutional Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation and licensure are an important part of an academic institution’s operation.

Visit our Accreditations and Licensure page for more details about our accreditations and licensure.

  • ABHES

    The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 730, North Bethesda, MD 20852; www.abhes.org.

    Aurora, CO
    Dallas, TX
    Grand Prairie, TX
    Jacksonville, FL
    Kansas City, MO
    Memphis, TN
    Miramar, FL
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Frequently Asked Questions

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You can complete the associate degree program in as few as 18 months. Please check with an admissions adviser for program length information.

Contact us to find out when the Surgical Technologist program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

According to BLS.gov, the surgical technologist job field from 2022 to 2032 is projected to grow by 5%. As Surgical Technology continues to improve and advance, surgical procedures are increasingly common.

**Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm#tab-6 Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

By becoming a surgical technologist, you will work alongside surgeons and nurses in the operating room, preparing patients for surgery, ensuring that piece of equipment is sterilized and working perfectly, and being ready when the surgical team needs an instrument. No two workdays are the same, and you'll be at the forefront of new surgical techniques.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs. Students are expected to interact in and out of the OR aiding surgeons, nurses and other care professionals.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

You can complete the associate degree program in as few as 18 months. Please check with an admissions adviser for program length information.

Contact us to find out when the Surgical Technologist program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.

Our online program is for those who are already a licensed surgical technician (CST) with a Diploma from an accredited Surgical Technology program.

This is based on what works best for you and your learning style. If you have good time management skills and are looking for a more flexible schedule, then online is the best option. If you do better in a structured, set-schedule environment, then the ground option might be the best fit.

The online Surgical Technology degree completion program is designed for surgical technologists who have completed an approved surgical technology diploma program, wishing to advance their education by earning an associate degree.

Students may complete this program fully-online in as few as 8 months. For details please visit the Concorde Kansas City campus catalog.

*The online surgical technology associate degree completion program coursework is delivered by and degree conferred by Concorde's Kansas City campus.

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  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.