9 Best Surgical Tech Programs in Concord, CA (2026)

Pursuing a career as a surgical technologist in the Concord area can be an exciting and rewarding path. As a vital member of the operating room team, surgical techs assist in surgical procedures under the supervision of surgeons, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The job outlook for surgical technologists around Concord is very strong, with a projected 14.7% growth in employment opportunities from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is over 3 times faster than the average across all occupations.

With such robust demand, now is an excellent time to enroll in one of Concord‘s top surgical tech programs to gain the skills and hands-on training necessary to succeed in this growing field.

This guide provides an in-depth look at the top 9 accredited surgical tech schools and training programs in Concord, CA based on cost, program length, hands-on training opportunities and other key attributes:

Program	Length	Credential Offered	Rating	Location
Carrington College	9 months	Certificate	4.3 stars	Pleasant Hill
Unitek College – Concord Campus	10 months	Associate Degree	4.5 stars	Concord
Mt. Diablo Adult Education	8 months	Diploma	5 stars	Concord
Premier Surgery Center	6 weeks	Diploma	4.4 stars	Concord
Contra Costa Medical Career College	10 months	Certificate	4.5 stars	Antioch
John Muir Health Medical Center	12 weeks	Certificate	2.9 stars	Concord
Blake Austin College	10 months	Certificate	3.7 stars	Vacaville
Concorde Career College	16 months	Associate Degree	3.5 stars	North Hollywood
Mount Diablo High School	4 years	High School Diploma	3.9 stars	Concord

Below we explore some of the standout features of these top-ranked programs in more detail:

1. Carrington College

Carrington College in Pleasant Hill is one of the most reputable surgical tech programs in the Concord area. Key highlights include:

• Certificate program length: 9 months
• Hands-on training facilities: State-of-the-art simulation labs for practical skills application
• Faculty: Industry expert instructors with 5-10 years average experience
• Industry relationships: Strong ties with local healthcare employers for externships
• Career support: Interview prep, resume building, job search strategies
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or GED

The certificate program curriculum covers topics like microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology as well as specialized surgical tech modules over 9 months of full-time study.

With flexible day and evening class options plus robust career guidance, Carrington College is a top choice for aspiring surgical technologists in Concord.

2. Unitek College – Concord Campus

Unitek College takes a very hands-on, practical approach to surgical tech education at its Concord campus. Key facts:

• Program type: Associate degree
• Length: 10 months
• Class size: 8 students per instructor
• Clinical hours: Over 400 hours of clinical rotations included
• Simulated OR: Fully-functional mock operating room for immersive practice
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or GED equivalent

The competitive 10-month associate degree program provides learners with extensive real-world medical experience under close supervision of industry expert faculty. From sterilization protocols to surgical instrumentation, students gain in-depth exposure to all facets of life in the OR.

With masters-level instructors averaging 15+ years of professional experience each, Unitek College is focused on serious career preparation.

3. Mt. Diablo Adult Education

Those looking for a fast and affordable route into the surgical technology field can consider Mt. Diablo Adult Education. Key aspects:

• Program type: 8-month diploma program
• Cost: Extremely affordable, priced at under $2,500 total
• Topics covered: Medical terminology, microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology
• Hands-on element: 130-hour clinical externship included
• Evening classes: Accommodates working professionals’ schedules
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

While light on practical application compared to other programs on this list, Mt. Diablo Adult Education‘s surgical technology diploma stands out for its low cost and scheduling flexibility. It‘s a great option for those seeking entry-level surgical tech positions on a budget.

4. Premier Surgery Center

Housed within the Diablo Medical Plaza surgical facility itself, this intensive 6-week surgical tech program provides unparalleled real-world experience. Highlights include:

• Program type: 6-week certificate program
• Cost: $3,999 total tuition
• Hands-on focus: 80% lab practice, 20% theory
• Instructors: Surgeons, RNs and surgical techs at Diablo Medical Plaza
• Environment: Training directly within practicing surgical center
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or GED equivalent

With direct access to state-of-the-art OR setups and expert instructors from Diablo Medical Plaza, students receive intensive practical instruction in all fundamental and advanced aspects of surgical technology over 6 concentrated weeks. Graduates have a strong hiring edge at local healthcare employers.

5. Contra Costa Medical Career College

Contra Costa Medical Career College takes a broad-based approach spanning theoretical grounding and extensive hands-on practice:

• Program type: 10-month certificate program
• Topics covered: Medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology
• Practical component: 160-hour externship in OR setup, surgical equipment etc.
• Clinical hours: 130 hours observing surgical procedures
• Simulations: High-fidelity recreations of surgical scenarios
• Instructors: Industry experts with 10+ years average experience each
• Career Assistance: Interview coaching, resume building, job placement support

With a balanced mix of knowledge-building and skill application plus robust job placement guidance, Contra Costa Medical Career College prepares surgical tech students for career success in 10 short months.

6. John Muir Health Medical Center

John Muir Health, the leading healthcare network serving Concord and the greater Bay Area provides a 12-week certificate program focused specifically on cardiothoracic surgical technology. Key details:

• Specialization: Cardiothoracic surgical tech training
• Program length: 12 weeks total
• Environment: John Muir Medical Center facility in Concord
• Hands-on focus: 130 hours spent in practicing medical center ORs
• Topics covered: Anatomy, physiology, terminology, surgical equipment protocols
• Admission requirements: High school diploma/GED plus related experience

With instruction occurring on-site at John Muir Medical Center by veteran cardiothoracic surgical team members, this intensive 12-week course provides specialized skills training not offered in traditional programs. It‘s ideal for current medical support staff seeking to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery tech roles.

7. Blake Austin College

Students at Blake Austin College‘s Vacaville campus benefit from the school‘s strong industry connections, evidenced by a 92% job placement rate for recent graduates. Particulars of this program include:

• Program type: 10-month certificate program
• Topics covered: Medical terminology, microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy
• Practical element: 160-hour clinical externship
• Simulated OR: Virtual reality surgical simulation system
• Class size: 10 students per instructor maximum
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or GED

With robust career prep resources plus one-on-one faculty mentorship targeted to each student‘s aspirations beyond graduation, Blake Austin College‘s program takes a personalized approach to surgical tech career development.

8. Concorde Career College – North Hollywood

Students unable to find their ideal surgical technology program locally can consider Concorde Career College in nearby North Hollywood. Key aspects:

• Program: Associate of Science degree
• Length: 16 months total
• Focus: General surgical tech concentration
• Practical component: Hands-on clinical experience in OR/hospital
• Topics covered: Anatomy, terminology, instrumentation, pharmacology
• Career help: Interview skills, resume writing, networking events

As an accredited college with an extensive focus on practical learning and job search assistance, Concorde Career College is a smart choice despite the longer program length and higher costs compared to other options listed here.

When researching schools, pay particular attention to these key factors:

Hands-on training opportunities

Look for programs offering at least 400+ hours spent in simulated operating room environments or live clinical settings. The more practical experience included, the better.

Knowledgable instructors

Highly skilled faculty members make a major difference in program quality. Seek out schools employing expert instructors boasting at least 5-10 years of professional experience.

Career development resources

Robust job placement assistance in the form of interview prep, resume reviews and employer networking provides a vital edge during your post-graduation search.

Strong industry partnerships

Programs partnered with local healthcare systems often funnel graduates into job openings. Confirm externship and clinical rotation opportunities.

Making the effort to identify programs excelling in these aspects will pay dividends in the form of superior career readiness.

With an abundance of healthcare providers headquartered in Contra Costa county, surgical technologist job opportunities near Concord are numerous and projected to expand rapidly in coming years.

Average salary ranges from $55,000 – $65,000 depending on experience level and employer, with overtime and shift differentials offering the potential to earn even more.

Whether seeking an entry-level position right after completing training or aspiring to advance into surgical assistant, RN or other medical roles later on, building your foundations as a surgical tech is a smart move.

Enrolling with one of Concord‘s highest rated training programs is the ideal way to prepare for this stable, well-compensated career filled with variety, challenges and the chance to make a real impact in patient‘s lives.