Surgical Technology
ABHES Accredited Program.
Next Start: October 5th
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Complete Your Surgical Tech Programs in Under 18 Months
Launch a high-demand healthcare career with our surgical tech programs at CBD College in Los Angeles. Our ABHES-accredited surgical technology program prepares you to become a certified surgical technologist through hands-on operating room training, immersive mock surgeries, and supervised clinical externships at approved healthcare sites.
Whether you are searching for surgical tech programs near me or comparing surgical technologist programs across California, CBD College’s hybrid format gives you the flexibility to choose between day or evening classes while earning your Associate of Applied Science degree in as little as 18 months. Our program prepares students for the CST certification exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
Hybrid Surgical Tech Programs Overview
Providing quality patient care starts well before patients enter the operating room. In our hybrid surgical tech programs, you will learn how to properly care for patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. By training in our immersive mock operating rooms, you will cultivate essential cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills, building confidence before beginning clinical rotations at approved hospital and ambulatory surgery center sites.
Our surgical tech programs combine structured didactic coursework with progressive clinical experiences, preparing you to assist surgeons during a wide range of surgical procedures. You will master sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, patient positioning, specimen handling, and operating room safety protocols. By graduation, you will be equipped with the clinical skills and professional competencies needed to pursue surgical tech certification and begin your career as a surgical technologist.
As you earn your Associate of Applied Science degree with CBD College, you can:
- Choose between day or evening class schedules to fit your commitments
- Train in immersive mock operating rooms using current surgical technology and instrumentation
- Perform mock surgical procedures to build competency before entering clinical settings
- Complete supervised externships at hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers across the LA area
- Prepare for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) certification examination
- Access Career Services support to connect with employers after graduation
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
How to Become a Surgical Tech: Requirements and Admissions
If you are researching how to become a surgical tech, understanding the admissions pathway is an important first step. CBD College’s surgical technology program accepts students who meet our admissions requirements, including a high school diploma or equivalent. Our admissions team will walk you through surgical tech prerequisites, application documentation, and enrollment steps so you can secure your spot for the next available start date.
We encourage prospective students comparing surgical tech programs to connect with us early. Our team can help you prepare a strong application, understand financial aid options, and plan your timeline from enrollment through CST certification.
CST Certification and NBSTSA Exam Preparation
CBD College’s surgical technology program is accredited institutionally by ABHES and prepares graduates to sit for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) examination administered by the NBSTSA. Earning your surgical tech certification through the CST credential demonstrates to employers that you have met nationally recognized standards for surgical technology competency.
The CST credential is widely recognized across hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and outpatient care facilities. Many employers prefer or require CST certification for surgical technologist positions, making this credential an essential component of your career readiness.
Surgical Tech Salary, Job Outlook, and Career Opportunities
The career outlook for surgical technologists is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and advances in surgical procedures continue to drive demand for skilled operating room professionals nationwide.
The earning potential is equally compelling. The median surgical technologist salary in the United States is approximately $60,610 per year according to BLS data, with experienced professionals in high-cost markets like Los Angeles and Southern California often earning above the national average. When prospective students research surgical tech salary information, they consistently find that this career offers strong compensation for a program that can be completed in under two years. Completing your surgical tech programs at CBD College and earning your CST credential positions you to compete for the best-paying surgical tech jobs in the market.
What You Will Do as a Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists are critical members of highly skilled surgical teams that include surgeons, anesthesiologists, and registered nurses. As a surgical technologist, you will be responsible for essential tasks throughout the perioperative process:
- Preparing operating rooms by setting up sterile fields, surgical instruments, sutures, and supplies before each procedure
- Assisting surgeons during operations by passing instruments, holding retractors, and anticipating the surgical team’s needs
- Sterilizing, inspecting, and maintaining surgical equipment and instrumentation to prevent infection
- Preparing patients for surgery including positioning, skin prep, and draping
- Handling surgical specimens and ensuring proper labeling and transport to pathology
- Counting instruments, sponges, and needles before and after procedures to ensure patient safety
- Maintaining a sterile environment throughout surgical procedures and enforcing aseptic technique
Where You Can Work with Surgical Tech Certification
Graduates of our surgical tech programs near me find rewarding surgical tech jobs across a wide range of healthcare environments:
- Private and public hospitals (inpatient surgical departments)
- Ambulatory surgery centers
- Outpatient care centers and surgical clinics
- Physician offices and specialty surgical practices
- Orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurosurgery specialty centers
- Laser surgery and ophthalmology centers
- Traveling surgical technologist assignments
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm
Why Choose CBD College for Your Surgical Tech Programs
When searching for surgical tech programs near me, students in the Los Angeles area choose CBD College for our combination of ABHES accreditation, flexible hybrid scheduling, and career-focused outcomes. Our program blends online and on-campus coursework with hands-on lab sessions in mock operating rooms and clinical externships at hospitals and surgery centers across the greater LA area.
Students choosing between day and evening class schedules gain the flexibility to balance education with personal and professional commitments. Whether you have been comparing surgical tech programs across California or evaluating surgical technologist programs nationwide, our ABHES institutional accreditation, NBSTSA exam preparation, and Career Services support make CBD College a standout choice for students who want to earn their surgical tech certification and enter the operating room workforce with confidence.
Skills You Will Gain in Our Surgical Technology Program
Throughout your surgical technology program, you will develop the clinical competencies that operating room employers value most:
- Prepare sterile surgical fields and operating rooms for a wide range of procedures
- Sterilize and maintain surgical equipment using proper decontamination and aseptic techniques
- Assist surgeons during operations by passing instruments, supplies, and anticipating procedural needs
- Maintain sterile fields and enforce aseptic technique throughout the perioperative process
- Monitor patient vitals and assist with patient positioning during surgical procedures
- Handle surgical specimens for laboratory analysis with proper documentation and chain of custody
- Manage surgical instrumentation counts and collaborate with surgical teams to ensure safe, efficient operations
Start Your Surgical Tech Programs at CBD College
Ready to take the next step toward becoming a certified surgical technologist? Whether you are just beginning to explore surgical tech programs near me, comparing your options for surgical tech certification preparation across California, or you are ready to apply for the next start date, our admissions team is here to help. Contact us today to learn about upcoming start dates, tuition, financial aid, and everything you need to begin your path to CST certification at CBD College in Los Angeles
Real people, real stories.
Attending CBD College has opened so many doors in my life. I got my dream job right after graduation. Thank you so much CBD College!
Beth
Alum - Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Attending CBD College started me down a new career path and changed my family's life.
Sarah
Alum - Physical Therapist Assistant
Going to CBD College marked the beginning of a fresh professional journey for me and had a transformative impact on my family's life.
John
Alum - Surgical Technology
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