Concorde Career Colleges boasts health care training programs across the country. Their Portland campus is located on North Irving Street, near the MAX and TriMet bus stops. Concorde's surgical tech program sees most students earning their degrees within 12 months. The program offers both clinical and academic training, including hands-on experience with surgeons in the field. Tuition varies from session to session, but Concorde offers financial aid programs for students who might be unable to afford their surgical tech degree.
Mt. Hood Community College has two campuses in Gresham, Oregon, and one in Portland, on N.E. Prescott. Mt. Hood's Surgical Technology Program lasts six academic quarters (two years) and provides the student with experience under a surgeon's direct supervision. Acceptance to the program requires an application available on Mt. Hood's website, as well as a background check and drug and alcohol screening. Mt. Hood also provides financial aid options.
Most companies hiring surgical technicians will also expect some form of certification from an accredited institution. The Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist is the most respected source of accreditation. Such accreditation is awarded through an exam organized by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) also offers a certification, the designation Tech in Surgery-Certified, or TS-C. However, this certification must be renewed every five years.
In order to take the NBSTSA's certification exam, you must show proof of graduation from a surgical tech program or past certification in the field. The application for the exam can be found on the organization's website; you must submit the appropriate fees along with your application, which range between $190 and $290. Certification exams are either paper or computer-based and are located at one of Applied Measurement Professionals Inc.'s testing centers; the location of your exam will be an option on your application. Keep in mind that testing centers will not allow you to bring textbooks, notebooks or other personal items into the testing area.