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The Top 20 Surgical Tech Programs in New York, NY
New York City is one of the top destinations in the world to receive a quality education, especially in healthcare. As a hub for top-tier medical institutions and teaching hospitals, New York offers unparalleled opportunities for aspiring surgical technologists to gain hands-on training from experts in the field.
In this guide, we will explore the 20 best surgical tech programs across New York City‘s five boroughs. Whether you‘re looking for an associate‘s degree, certificate program, or on-the-job training, there are plenty of options to jumpstart your career.
1. Kingsborough Community College
Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Surgical Technology. The 70-credit program provides students with a comprehensive education covering topics like microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.
Students get extensive hands-on training in the program‘s state-of-the-art lab facility using equipment found in real operating rooms. The curriculum also includes 500 hours of clinical externship at one of KCC‘s partner hospitals, allowing students to gain invaluable experience working alongside surgical teams.
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). KCC has an excellent first-time pass rate for the CST exam.
2. York College
York College in Queens offers an AAS in Surgical Technology that can be completed in just 18 months. Students take courses in areas like microbiology, surgical procedures, sterile technique, and anesthesia to gain well-rounded knowledge of the operating room environment.
The program includes hands-on labs and clinical rotations at surgical facilities across New York City. Students get to observe and participate in a wide variety of surgeries, allowing them to develop skills like gowning and gloving, prepping instrumentation, and assisting surgeons.
York College‘s surgical tech program maintains strong industry partnerships that help graduates secure jobs after completing the program. Many students obtain employment at the hospitals and facilities where they trained.
3. Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)
BMCC confers an AAS degree in Surgical Technology that can be completed either full-time or part-time. Students receive in-depth theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills training to meet all requirements for becoming certified surgical technologists.
The curriculum provides extensive coverage of topics like surgical pharmacology, instrumentation, anatomy, physiology, and surgical procedures. Students also complete 550 hours of clinical externship experience in operating rooms across New York City.
BMCC‘s simulated operating room gives students an opportunity to practice surgical technology skills like gowning, gloving, and setting up instrument trays. This helps prepare them for the real-world clinical environment.
The college also helps students sit for the CST exam and pursue further education opportunities after earning their AAS degree.
4. Berkeley College
Berkeley College, with campuses in Midtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, offers both an AAS degree and certificate in Surgical Technology. The college is institutionally accredited and the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP).
Students gain in-depth knowledge of surgical instrumentation, medical terminology, surgical procedures, patient care concepts, and sterile technique. The curriculum covers over 120 surgical specialties. Students also complete 550 hours of hands-on clinical experience.
Berkeley‘s surgical tech program uses an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating complementary coursework in biology, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. This provides a science-heavy foundation to succeed in operating rooms.
With flexible day and evening/weekend options, Berkeley College caters to both full-time and working students. Graduates are eligible to take the CST certification exam. Berkeley has a high job placement rate.
5. CUNY New York City College of Technology
The New York City College of Technology (City Tech) confers an AAS in Surgical Technology with the option to specialize in ophthalmic or cardiothoracic surgery. Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the program provides the full educational preparation necessary for NBSTSA certification.
Key topics covered include medical terminology, surgical pharmacology, microbiology, instrumentation, healthcare law/ethics, and surgical procedures. Students apply skills in campus labs before completing 550 hours of supervised clinical experience.
City Tech‘s surgical tech program maintains transfer partnerships with bachelor‘s degree programs at York College, SUNY Empire State College, and Mercy College. Graduates can also enter the workforce directly and pursue CST certification.
With small class sizes and active faculty support, the program enables students to get personalized guidance and hands-on training critical for success as surgical technologists.
6. LaGuardia Community College
LaGuardia Community College in Queens confers an AAS in Surgical Technology with the option to pursue certain courses online. Students gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills for working in hospital operating rooms and ambulatory surgery centers.
The 66-credit curriculum covers areas such as microbiology, pharmacology, anesthesiology, medical terminology, instrumentation, aseptic technique, patient care, and surgical specialties. Students also complete 500 hours of clinical externship experience.
In addition to patient-side and scrub roles, students learn circulating duties to understand the full scope of perioperative practice. LaGuardia’s career services help graduates prepare for the CST exam and job placement. Many secure surgical tech positions at the facilities where they train.
7. SUNY Downstate Medical Center
SUNY Downstate Medical Center offers an Advanced Certificate program in Surgical Technology. Students take courses focusing specifically on OR practice, allowing them to start clinical rotations faster than associate‘s degree programs.
Key topics include medical terminology, surgical pharmacology, microbiology, asepsis, instrumentation, equipment, case management, and surgical procedures. Students apply knowledge in campus labs utilizing surgical supplies and biomedical equipment.
The program includes 600 hours of supervised clinical training at affiliated medical centers and surgical facilities. Sites include Kings County Hospital, SUNY University Hospital Brooklyn, Maimonides Medical Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, and various ambulatory centers.
8. CUNY Guttman Community College
Guttman Community College offers an AAS degree in Surgical Technology in partnership with Bellevue Hospital. Students undergo classroom education and clinical training focused on the latest techniques and technologies used in the OR.
In addition to core surgical technology topics, the curriculum incorporates coursework in biology, anatomy/physiology, physics, psychology, and other sciences. This helps students develop sound foundational knowledge for healthcare practice.
Through Bellevue Hospital, students get supervised clinical experience in general surgery, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, vascular surgery, and other subspecialties. They assist surgical teams with pre-op duties, passing instruments, handling specimens, and more.
9. Monroe College
Monroe College confers an AAS in Surgical Technology at its Bronx campus. The 63-credit program delivers comprehensive training to prepare graduates for entry-level surgical tech positions and NBSTSA certification.
Students gain in-depth knowledge of surgical instrumentation, equipment, supplies, and procedures common to major specialties. The program incorporates both classroom instruction and 600 hours of hands-on clinical experience.
Monroe has a mock operating room laboratory that allows students to gain technical skills like gowning/gloving, maintaining sterility, setting up instrument tables, specimen handling, and prepping patients. This makes the transition to clinical sites smooth.
10. College of New Rochelle
Through its School of New Resources, the College of New Rochelle offers an AAS degree in Surgical Technology. The program adopts an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating complementary coursework in sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics.
In addition to classroom and lab-based courses, students complete 500 hours of clinical rotations at area hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Under close supervision, they gain experience in pre-op and intra-op procedures working alongside OR nurses and surgeons.
The College of New Rochelle helps graduates prepare to sit for the CST examination. Many alumni find employment in surgical facilities across New York’s Westchester and Rockland counties.
11. College of Mount Saint Vincent
The College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx prepares students for CST certification through its AAS in Surgical Technology program. Coursework covers areas like microbiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, patient care, and principles of surgery.
Students get extensive hands-on training in on-campus labs utilizing surgical equipment and instrumentation. The program also requires the completion of 500 supervised clinical hours focused on the various phases of surgical intervention and specialty procedures.
In addition, students take complementary courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, and computers to develop well-rounded knowledge and skills. With small class sizes, students get individualized support and guidance from professors.
12. Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College offers an AAS in Surgical Technology across its three campuses – Grant, Eastern, and Ammerman. Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, healthcare law/ethics, and medical terminology to build a strong science foundation.
The program then delivers specialty coursework covering surgical instrumentation, equipment, supplies, aseptic technique, patient care, and over 100 surgical procedures. Students get hands-on training in on-site labs before transitioning to clinical externships.
Through 550 hours of supervised clinical experience, students actively participate in surgical cases and learn to function as part of an OR team. They develop competency in areas like transporting patients, handling specimens, operating equipment, passing instruments, and maintaining sterile fields.
13. Columbia-Greene Community College
Columbia-Greene Community College offers an AAS degree and certificate in Surgical Technology. Students gain well-rounded knowledge of patient care concepts, surgical instrumentation/equipment, and common operating room procedures.
In addition to classroom instruction, the program includes extensive skills training in the college’s laboratory and over 500 hours of supervised clinical experience. Students get to actively participate in surgeries at partner hospitals, developing competencies across perioperative phases.
Columbia-Greene has a high pass rate for graduates taking the CST certification exam. The program also prepares students to continue education at four-year colleges or enter the workforce as certified surgical techs.
14. Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College confers an AAS in Surgical Technology, providing students with versatile skills for employment across diverse healthcare settings. Graduates work in roles like OR surgical technicians, sterile processing technicians, private scrub technicians, and endoscopy technicians.
The program delivers comprehensive education covering surgical pharmacology, microbiology, information technology, medical equipment/devices, patient care concepts, and 50+ surgical interventions. Students develop technical skills through campus lab training and 500 hours of clinical rotations.
In addition, WCC‘s general education requirements enhance professional competencies in communication, critical thinking, research, teamwork, and information management – enabling graduates to excel in healthcare environments.
15. Bronx Community College
Bronx Community College offers an AAS degree in Surgical Technology, providing students with knowledge in surgical instrumentation/equipment, medical terminology, patient care, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. Students also gain skills for sterile processing roles.
The program includes both classroom/lab-based courses and over 500 hours of clinical externship experience. Under supervision, students actively participate in surgeries at medical centers and surgical facilities across the NYC metro.
Upon completing the program, students are eligible for the National Certification Exam to become Certified Surgical Technologists recognized by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
16. Berkeley College White Plains Campus
Berkeley College’s White Plains campus offers an AAS degree in Surgical Technology. The CAAHEP-accredited program delivers hybrid training covering all perioperative phases. This includes pre-operative preparation, intra-operative surgical procedures, and post-operative interventions.
Backed by knowledgeable faculty, students gain in-depth understanding of areas like surgical pharmacology, sterile processing, instrumentation, anatomy, patient care concepts, and 120+ surgical interventions spanning multiple specialties.
Berkeley also provides 550 hours of supervised operating room experience at clinical sites affiliated with the college. Students get hands-on training and practical knowledge directly applicable to professional practice as surgical technologists.
17. Nassau Community College
Nassau Community College on Long Island offers an AAS and certificate program in Surgical Technology. Students receive comprehensive education and training to provide skilled support for surgical interventions, instrumentation, specimen handling, and patient transportation.
The curriculum provides broad coverage of areas like microbiology, medical terminology, surgical procedures, sterile processing, anesthesia concepts, perioperative duties, healthcare law/ethics, and pharmacology for the OR environment. Students also complete 500+ hours of clinical externships.
With flexible full-time and part-time options, the program accommodates both regular students and working professionals seeking career changes into allied health.
18. SUNY Broome Community College
SUNY Broome Community College offers an AAS degree in Surgical Technology, providing students with knowledge and skills for professional practice across inpatient and outpatient surgical settings. In addition to entry-level competencies, the program prepares students for specialty credentials like the Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST).
Key topics covered include basic sciences, technological sciences, patient care concepts, surgical techniques, medical instrumentation/equipment, healthcare law/ethics, and best practices for maintaining sterility.
Students get supervised clinical experience in surgical suites and sterile processing units at partner hospitals. This allows them to apply knowledge gained via classroom instruction in real-world patient care environments.
19. Norwalk Community College
Norwalk Community College in Connecticut offers a comprehensive 68-credit Surgical Technology program preparing students for entry-level positions across surgical settings like hospital ORs, ambulatory surgery/endoscopy centers, sterile processing departments, obstetrical suites, and private medical/dental offices.
Students gain understanding of key concepts like surgical procedures, asepsis, anesthesia, instrumentation, fundamentals of disease processes, and safe patient handling/transportation. The program provides 560 hours+ of hands-on clinical training experience.
In addition to qualifications for CST certification, graduates can also obtain credentials like Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) – opening doors for roles in sterile processing and distribution departments.
20. Southern Westchester BOCES
Offered in partnership with major hospital systems, Southern Westchester BOCES delivers a robust Surgical Technology program providing students with competencies for professional OR practice. Graduates earn a Training Certificate and Continuing Education credits.
Through classroom labs and lectures, students gain knowledge covering fundamentals of surgical technology like aseptic principles, infection control, equipment handling/safety, instrumentation, supplies management, and patient care.
The program also requires completing over 600 hours of supervised clinical training across hospital ORs and other surgical facilities, allowing students to actively participate in surgical procedures involving multiple specialties. With strong industry connections, the program helps graduates transition smoothly into the workplace. This makes Southern Westchester BOCES an excellent option for aspiring surgical techs in the NYC metro area.