Most, however, are employed by hospitals and other places that have operating room, delivery room, and emergency room facilities. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Nearly all technicians receive their training in formal programs offered by community and junior colleges, vocational and technical schools, or hospitals. Although most programs last from 9 to 10 months, some community college programs last 2 years and lead to an associate degree. In 1990, there were 203 training programs for surgical technicians, of which 103 were accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association. High school graduation normally is required for admission.
Accredited programs provide classroom training as well as supervised clinical experience.
Required courses include anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. Other courses include the care and safety of patients during surgery, use of anesthesia and its hazards, and surgical care procedures. Some surgical technicians receive their training in hospital-based programs that last from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the program's admission requirements. The shorter programs are designed for licensed practical nurses, who already have some background in anatomy, physiology, and clinical practice. The longer programs, from 9 months to a year, are for individuals with no background in health care.