20 Best Surgical Tech Programs in Dayton, OH
Dayton, Ohio is home to several excellent surgical tech programs that prepare students for careers as surgical technologists. As a major healthcare hub in the state, Dayton offers top-notch training opportunities at various colleges and technical schools in the area.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of the 20 best surgical tech programs in Dayton based on tuition costs, program length, hands-on training opportunities, and graduate outcomes.
1. Sinclair Community College
Sinclair Community College offers an accredited surgical technology associate‘s degree program. The curriculum provides broad-based education and training in surgical procedures, sterile technique, patient care, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology.
Students gain hands-on experience in lab sessions using the latest surgical equipment and instruments. The program also includes 800 hours of clinical rotations at local hospitals and surgical centers. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam.
Tuition: $4,392 in-state; $8,784 out-of-state
Program Length: 2 years
2. American National University – Dayton Campus
American National University in Dayton provides a fast-track surgical tech diploma program that can be completed in just 12 months.
The curriculum covers topics like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, healthcare concepts, and surgical procedures. Students get abundant hands-on practice in lab sessions with surgical instruments and equipment. Over 400 externship hours are also included to gain clinical experience.
Graduates are qualified to work as surgical technicians across hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings.
Tuition: $16,400
Program Length: 12 months
3. Miami Valley Career Technology Center
The Miami Valley Career Technology Center offers a comprehensive surgical technology program for high school students through its Career Development Program.
Students get classroom education and lab practice focused on surgical assisting skills like maintaining sterile field, handling instruments, suturing techniques, and more. The program also includes a clinical externship for real-world experience.
Upon completing the program, students can qualify to sit for the surgical technologist certification exam. Many graduates also receive college credits for advanced standing in further education.
Tuition: Varies, public school district rates apply
Program Length: Up to 2 years
4. Fortis College – Centerville
The surgical technology diploma program at Fortis College provides rigorous training to prepare students for entry-level surgical tech jobs.
The curriculum explores concepts like pharmacology, anesthesia, medical terminology, microbiology, and surgical procedures. Students also gain hands-on skills training in the lab with surgical tools and equipment. Real-world experience is offered through a 12-week, 400-hour clinical externship.
Graduates can obtain voluntary certification through NBSTSA to boost their career prospects as surgical technologists.
Tuition: $17,608
Program Length: 9 months
5. Ohio Institute of Allied Health
Ohio Institute of Allied Health offers a surgical assisting associate‘s degree with different study options – on campus or hybrid/online.
Students acquire in-depth knowledge of surgical principles, tools, and techniques. The lab portion develops critical skills like patient positioning, draping, assisting with instruments and tissue samples. Students also complete 600 hours of clinical practice.
The program prepares graduates for entry-level roles as surgical assistants across various healthcare settings. Certification through the National Board of Surgical Assistants (NBSA) is also available.
Tuition: $18,000
Program Length: 21 months
6. Apollo Career Center
The surgical technology program at Apollo Career Center allows high school juniors and seniors to train for entry-level surgical tech jobs.
The curriculum explores medical terminology, microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and principles of surgical technology. Extensive lab practice develops assisting skills with tools, equipment and instruments. Students also complete a 12-week clinical rotation for applied experience.
Upon completing the program, students can obtain voluntary certification from the NBSTSA to enhance their career opportunities.
Tuition: Standard public school district rates
Program Length: Up to 2 years
7. Eastern Gateway Community College
Eastern Gateway Community College provides an online associate degree program for aspiring surgical technologists. Offered in collaboration with Vista College, this convenient program allows students to train for surgical tech careers from any location.
The curriculum includes all aspects of surgical technology – medical terminology, surgical procedures, sterile processing, instrumentation and skills labs. Students also complete a supervised clinical practicum for real-world experience.
The program is accredited and provides a pathway to obtain the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) designation through NBSTSA.
Tuition: $6,360
Program Length: 2 years
8. Clark State Community College
Clark State offers a surgical technology certificate program that can be completed in just 12 months. The curriculum provides comprehensive education in surgical principles, tools, and techniques.
Students gain abundant hands-on practice with surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies. The program also includes a supervised clinical practicum, allowing students to assist during live surgical cases.
Upon completion, graduates can obtain voluntary CST certification through the NBSTSA for better career opportunities. Credits from this program can also be applied toward Clark State‘s associate of applied science degree.
Tuition: $8,981
Program Length: 12 months
9. Kettering College
Kettering College offers an advanced bachelor‘s degree program to train registered nurses for first assisting surgical roles.
The curriculum integrates in-depth coursework and lab sessions focused on surgical principles, tools, equipment, and techniques. Students gain extensive hands-on practice with sutures, staples, surgical supplies, and instrumentation.
Over 700 hours of clinical experience assist working surgeons across specialties like general, orthopedic, vascular, plastics, OB/GYN, and more. Graduates can obtain CNOR or CRNFA certification for expanded career prospects.
Tuition: $39,528
Program Length: 15 months
10. Urbana University
Urbana University offers an online bachelor‘s degree completion program for surgical technology. Designed for certified surgical technologists looking to advance their careers, this convenient program provides high-level education integrated with practical experience.
The curriculum explores complex surgical principles, techniques, and procedures across specialties. Students also complete 300 hours of precepted clinical experience, allowing them to take on greater surgical assisting responsibilities.
Graduates gain invaluable expertise to qualify for first assistant surgical roles across diverse healthcare settings. Certifications like CFA and CSFA further boost career prospects.
Tuition: $14,160
Program Length: 21 months
11. Hondros College
The surgical technology program at Hondros College provides career training through a blended curriculum of online coursework and on-campus labs/clinicals.
Students explore concepts like pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, microbiology, and surgical instrumentation. Extensive skills training is offered in the labs with surgical tools, equipment, and supplies.
Additionally, students complete 400 hours of hands-on clinical experience at local medical facilities assisting during live cases in specialties like general, orthopedic, vascular, OB/GYN and more.
Tuition: $21,200
Program Length: 9 months
12. Southern State Community College
Southern State Community College offers an accredited associate degree program in surgical technology with flexible completion options – on campus or online.
The curriculum provides comprehensive education in surgical principles, tools, techniques across specialties. Students develop hands-on competencies through skills labs with surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies.
Over 500 hours of clinical rotations are also included, allowing students to actively participate in surgical cases under direct supervision. Credits from this program can be transferred toward a bachelor‘s degree at affiliated universities.
Tuition: $7,932
Program Length: 2 years
13. Upper Valley Career Center
The surgical technology program at Upper Valley Career Center allows high school students to train for entry-level surgical assisting jobs.
The curriculum includes principles of surgical technology, terminology, patient care concepts, and techniques. Students gain abundant hands-on practice with surgical tools, supplies and instrumentation in the on-site lab.
Additionally, a 12-week externship provides real-world experience in OT, ER or surgical settings at partner hospitals/clinics. Graduates can obtain CST certification through NBSTSA to enhance employability.
Tuition: Standard public school district rates apply
Program Length: Up to 2 years
14. Miami Jacobs Career College
Miami Jacobs Career College offers a surgical technology diploma program that can be completed in just 12 months.
The accelerated curriculum covers surgical principles, tools, equipment across specialties and techniques. Skills labs allow students to gain proficiency with instrumentation, supplies, and assisting surgeons. An intensive externship also provides hands-on clinical experience.
Upon completion, students are prepared for entry-level surgical tech positions and can obtain voluntary NBSTSA certification to further boost job prospects. Credits can also be transferred toward Miami Jacobs‘ associate degree program.
Tuition: $26,502
Program Length: 12 months
15. Ross Medical Education Center
Ross Medical Education Center provides a surgical technology associate‘s degree designed to prepare students for entry-level surgical assisting jobs across settings.
The program explores concepts like pharmacology, medical terminology, anatomy, microbiology and surgical principles. Students develop hands-on proficiency through lab sessions with surgical tools, instrumentation and techniques.
Additionally, a supervised 225-hour clinical externship allows students to actively assist during surgical cases and prepare for real-world practice. Graduates can optionally obtain CST certification through NBSTSA for better job opportunities.
Tuition: $17,950
Program Length: 21 months
16. Ohio Medical Career College
Ohio Medical Career College offers an extensive surgical technology program leading up to an associate degree. This includes 86.5 credit hours of comprehensive education integrated with practical training.
Students explore topics like medical terminology, anatomy, surgical procedures, instrumentation skills and more. The program also incorporates 555 hours of hands-on externship experience allowing students to take part in surgical cases under supervision.
Graduates can obtain voluntary CST certification and qualify for entry-level surgical tech positions across diverse healthcare settings locally and nationally.
Tuition: $26,070
Program Length: 20 months
17. Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Mount Carmel College of Nursing provides registered nurses advanced education and training to take on first assistant surgical roles.
This master‘s degree program delivers high-level, evidence-based instruction in surgical patient management – from pre to post-op care. Students also complete 500 hours of immersive clinical experience, allowing them to actively participate across specialty procedures.
Graduates can obtain certifications like CNOR or CRNFA to qualify for lucrative surgical first assisting jobs across hospital OT departments and ASCs.
Tuition: $29,970
Program Length: 2 years
18. Fortis College – Cuyahoga Falls Campus
Fortis College in Cuyahoga Falls offers a surgical assisting associate‘s degree program tailored specifically for military veterans and active service members.
Exploring key concepts like pharmacology, anatomy, medical terminology, microbiology and surgical principles, this accelerated program fast-tracks military personnel for new healthcare careers.
Extensive lab practice develops assisting competencies with tools, instrumentation, supplies, and techniques. A 12-week, 400-hour externship provides hands-on surgical experience under supervision. Graduates can optionally certify through the NBSTSA.
Tuition: $35,095 with discounts for eligible military/veterans
Program Length: 12 months
19. Brightwood College – Dayton Campus
Brightwood College provides a 9-month diploma program in surgical technology that combines classroom education with practical clinical experience.
The curriculum explores concepts like microbiology, terminology, pharmacology, surgical equipment/supplies and techniques. Students also complete a 6-week, 200-hour externship for real-world practice across specialties.
Hands-on skills labs further augment the learning, allowing students to gain proficiency with surgical instrumentation. Graduates are eligible for entry-level surgical tech jobs and can pursue optional NBSTSA certification.
Tuition: $17,200
Program Length: 9 months
20. Dayton School of Medical Massage
For surgical technologists seeking to diversify their skills, Dayton School of Medical Massage offers a professional massage therapy diploma program.
This prepares students to provide vital perioperative care – from pre to post-op massage to improve patient outcomes. Coursework covers anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, theory, ethics, and specialized techniques.
Extensive hands-on clinical training is included through the school‘s student massage clinic. Graduates can obtain voluntary MBLEX licensure and apply their cross-disciplinary skills across clinical settings.
Tuition: $10,425
Program Length: 10 months
