How to Become a Surgical Tech in Idaho

Surgical techs help surgeons in the operating room, and have pre and post surgical duties.

Duties may include preparing the operating room, retracting tissues during surgery, and cleaning the OR after surgery.

If you are interested in the surgical field but don’t want to go to medical school, you should consider becoming a surgical tech.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in Idaho

In Idaho, surgical techs must meet some requirements.

One way to meet the requirement is to complete a one year surgical tech program that is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association (now CAAHEP).

If you have a CST certification, or are a licensed practical nurse, you also qualify.

CST Certification Qualifications

The CST, or Certified Surgical Tech, is offered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA.

To qualify for CST certification, you’ll need to complete a training program that is approved by CAAHEP or ABHES.

If you’ve completed a military training program, you qualify as well.

You’ll need to complete an application, provide proof you’ve completed a training program, and pay a fee.

Members of the Association of Surgical Technology, or AST, will pay $190.

Nonmembers will pay $290.

The CST Exam

The CST exam consists of 175 questions. 150 of these questions are graded.

You’ll need to get 98 out of 150 questions correct to pass the exam.

If you pass, you’ll be a certified surgical tech, or a CST.

5 Surgical Tech Schools in Idaho

1. College of Western Idaho

The College of Western Idaho offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

The cost of the program is $9,698.

The program typically takes 2 years to complete.

After completing the program, you are eligible for CST certification.

The college offers both classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction.

You’ll learn about operating room techniques, how to care for surgical patients, human anatomy, and infection prevention and control.

You’ll also participate in hands on training at local hospitals.

This gives you hands on experience.

Before beginning the program, you’ll need to complete some requisite courses.

These include Human Anatomy 1 and 2, Human Anatomy 1 and 2 labs, and Medical Terminology.

2. College of Southern Idaho

The College of Southern Idaho offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

The program takes 3 semesters to complete.

Seats in the program are limited to 12 to 16 people.

To be considered, you’ll need to submit a portfolio, including an application to the school, and transcripts.

If you are qualified, you’ll be asked to attend an interview.

Students are selected after the interview process is complete.

To graduate the program, you’ll need to complete 120 surgical cases.

These include general surgery, and 90 cases in surgical specialties.

Completing the program makes you eligible to take the CST exam.

3. North Idaho College

North Idaho College offers a very competitive Associate of Science degree in Surgical Technology.

10 students are selected each semester to begin the program.

The program is given over 3 semesters of study, and you’ll need a total of 60 credits.

To be considered for the program, you’ll need to complete some preququisite courses.

These include Human Biology or Human Anatomy and Physiology 2, with a cadaver, Writing and Rhetoric 1, Foundations of Surgical Technology, and Mathematical Ways of Knowing.

Courses in the program include Disease Process and Pharmacology, Surgical Procedures 1 and 2, and Introduction to Psychology or Sociology.

You’ll also have two clinical rotations.

After completing the program, you can take the CST exam.

4. College of Eastern Idaho

The College of Eastern Idaho offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology.

The program can be completed in just 18 months of full-time study.

To be admitted into the program, you must be accepted into the college before applying.

The program is competitive, and 16 students are accepted each term.

You’ll need to complete a background check and provide two professional references.

You’ll need a physical, drug screen, and TB test before starting the program.

To graduate, you must pass all major courses with a grade of 77 or better.

You’ll need 60 credits to complete the program.

5. Health Tech Academy

Health Tech Academy offers an online surgical tech bootcamp.

The program lasts for 16 weeks.

After completing the program, you’ll qualify for the NCCT TS-C, but not the CST certification.

Surgical Technician Schools in Idaho – Summary Table

Salary

Surgical techs in Idaho earn an average of $48,800.

Most salaries will range between $43,900 and $54,000.

How much you earn will depend on where you choose to work, your experience, education, and certification.

Regional Salary in Idaho