Overview

Excited About Working in the Fast-paced Operating Room Environment?

Surgical technologists, or surgical techs, are highly trained professionals that work alongside doctors and nurses in the operating room. In as little as 18 months, you can become an integral part of this team, providing surgical care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings.

Why CEI Surgical Technology Program?

  • Accelerated Path to Success
    • Earn your Associate Degree in just two years with minimal education costs!
  • Thriving Job Market
    • Discover the high demand and projected faster-than-average job growth for surgical technologists in the expanding healthcare field.
  • Attractive Earning Potential
    • Enjoy an average annual salary over $48,000 with minimal education costs.
  • Nationwide Opportunities
    • Earn your Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential to access job opportunities in hospitals and surgical centers across the country.
  • Career Advancement Possibilities
    • Gain invaluable operating room experience that paves the way for diverse professional development opportunities.
  • Dynamic Work Environment
  • Immerse yourself in a fast-paced, hands-on setting while working with cutting-edge technologies like laser, robotic, and fiber optic equipment.
  • Make a Meaningful Impact
    • Play a vital role in ensuring safe and successful surgeries.

Program Length

  • Earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Surgical Technology in two full-time semesters. (Does not include prerequisite competition time.)
Requirements

Important Program Dates

Application Deadline: April 1st
Post Acceptance Paperwork Deadline: July 1st
New Student Orientation (mandatory):
Last Monday in April
8:00 – 10:00 AM
Bldg. 6 room #231

Application Process

We are excited to assist you with your application and journey to becoming a Surgical Technologist! Surgical Technology is a competitive entry program. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. There is no waiting list for this program and applicants must reapply each year.

All applicants must complete the following steps to be considered for the Surgical Technology program:

  1. Meet with a CEI Advisor
    New and current CEI students are encouraged to contact a CEI Advisor at advising@cei.edu for guidance and application questions.
  2. Complete the CEI Enrollment Application
    • Complete the general CEI Registration process.
    • Select Surgical Technology as program of study.
    • Submit required documentation and complete applicable placement exams.
  3. Complete Required Prerequisite Courses
    All prerequisites must be completed with a 77% (C+) or higher.
  4. Complete the Surgical Technology Professional Application
    • Submit signed professional application
    • Upload application documentation in supplemental section of application

Additional Program Requirements

After admittance into the Surgical Technology program, the following documentation will be due July 1st. We encourage all applicants to work on documentation and immunizations prior to applying. Review application guide for directions on documentation and requirements.

  • Proof of Health Insurance
  • BLS CPR Certification
  • TB Test
  • Physical Form
  • Immunization Record
Student Success

Student Success

Where Are Our Graduates Working?

  • Hospitals
  • Surgical Centers

How Much Do Our Graduates Make?

The average starting salary for a surgical technologist in the region is $46,780.

Surgical Tech Yearly Salaries in Eastern Idaho
Mean$59,450
Entry$46,780
10th Percentile$46,800
25th Percentile$51,590
Median$61,680
75th Percentile$67,010
90th Percentile$74,970
Source: Idaho Department of Labor

Student Success Rates:

Current Student Success Rates FY23-24

  • Job Placement Rate: 100%
  • Student Retention: 78%
  • Exam Pass Rate: 93%

5 Year Average Student Success Rates:

  • Job Placement Rate: 95%
  • Student Retention: 87%
  • Exam Pass Rate: 84%
Course Curriculum

Course Curriculum

Prerequisites

All general education prerequisites must be completed with a 77% (C+) or higher.

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIOL 227Human Anatomy & Physiology I4
BIOL 227LHuman Anatomy & Physiology I Lab0
BIOL 228Human Anatomy & Physiology II4
BIOL 228LHuman Anatomy & Physiology II Lab0
MICR 111Introduction to Microbiology3
MICR 111LIntroduction to Microbiology Laboratory1
COMM 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3
ENGL 101Writing & Rhetoric I3
HCT 101Medical Terminology2
MATH 123Math in Modern Society3
PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology3
OR
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3
TOTAL29

Professional Program Courses

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCredits
SRT 105Pharmacology for Surgical Technologist2
SRT 102Surgical Procedures I4
SRT 111Surgical Techniques I4
SRT 114Surgical Clinic I8
SRT 202Surgical Procedures II4
SRT 211Surgical Techniques II4
SRT 214Surgical Clinic II8
TOTAL34
Accreditation

Accreditation

The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

CAAHEP
9355 113th Street N., #7709
Seminole, FL 33775-7709
P:727-210-2350 · F: 727-210-2354 / email@caahep.org

CEI’s Surgical Technology certification is awarded by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

NBSTSA
3 West Dry Creek Circle
Littleton, CO 80120
P: 800-707-0057