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
Contact
Eric Lockwood, Director, Apprenticeships and Academies
715.246.1871
Email Eric
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What is an Apprenticeship?
A Registered Apprenticeship is a state-certified work-based 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 apprentice 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.
On-the-job learning is an integral part of apprenticeships.
Wage scale of apprentice systematically increases throughout the apprenticeship
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.
Featured Surgical Technology Courses
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.
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
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
