How to Become a Surgical Tech in New Hampshire

Surgical techs play a critical role in the operating room, as well as before and after surgery.

Your duties may include preparing the OR, assisting patients after surgery, and providing the surgeon with tools during procedures.

If you are interested in the surgical field, but don’t want to become a doctor, being a surgical tech may be the right career for you.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in New Hampshire

To become a surgical tech in New Hampshire, you’ll need to be licensed.

Certification isn’t required, but it’s strongly recommended and required by many employers.

Certification

The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or NBSTSA, offers the Certified Surgical Technologist, or CST, certification.

To become certified as a surgical tech, you’ll need to complete an approved training program.

The program can be approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Once you’ve completed an approved program, you’ll need to fill out an application.

You’ll pay a fee of $190 if you are a member of the Association of Surgical Technologists, or $290 if you aren’t a member.

Next, you’ll take the CST exam.

The exam has 175 questions, with 150 of them being graded.

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

Once you’ve passed the exam, you are a CST.

New Hampshire Licensing Requirements

Once you are certified, you’ll need to be licensed in New Hampshire as well.

You’ll need a background check, and you’ll need to register with the board.

You’ll pay a fee of $110 with your application.

This license is required for medical assistants, including surgical technicians.

5 Surgical Tech Schools in New Hampshire

Concord Hospital

To qualify for the Concord Hospital program, you’ll need an associate or higher degree.

You’ll complete an application and pass a background check and medical screening before admission.

Only 10 students are admitted each year, so the program is competitive.

Students will attend classes, and participate in clinical rotations at local hospitals.

Classes include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, microbiology, and patient care in surgery.

You’ll participate in a variety of surgeries during the clinical rotations, including plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedic procedures, and general and vascular surgery.

Great Bay Community College

Great Bay Community College offers an Associate of Science degree in Surgical Technology.

It’s the only Associate of Science Surgical Technology program in the area.

The program is competitive, accepting a total of 20 students each year.

You’ll need to have a C or better grade in high school Biology, and be ready for college level reading and math to qualify.

If you have completed college Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 or Microbiology within the last 5 years, you’ll receive special consideration.

If you are an LPN/MNA, CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant, or Paramedic, you’ll also get special consideration.

You’ll need 66 to 68 credits to graduate.

This typically takes 2 years, including one summer semester.

Courses include Surgical Procedure 1 and 2, Human Anatomy 1 and 2, Medical Terminology, and Introduction to Psychology.

You’ll also participate in 2 clinical rotations at local hospitals for hands-on experience.

Dartmouth Health

Dartmouth Health has a very competitive surgical technology program.

Most people that apply are currently employed by Dartmouth.

If you aren’t currently employed with the hospital, you can apply for job opportunities in the peri-operative department.

Up to 10 people are chosen for the program each year.

To qualify, you’ll need a post-secondary degree or be currently enrolled in college.

You’ll need to pass College Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Terminology with a grade of C or better.

Other requirements include a statement of interest, and two letters of reference.

CT State Community College Manchester

CT State Community College offers an associate’s degree in Surgical Technology.

The program is competitive.

To qualify, you must have 34 credit hours in prerequisite courses.

These courses include Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, Microbiology, English Composition, and Interpersonal Communication.

You’ll need a GPA of 2.5 or higher in these classes to be considered.

You’ll also complete an interview and a grade of 70% or better on the ST entrance exam.

You must pass a background check and physical before admission into the program.

You’ll complete 28 surgical technology program credits, for a total of 62 credits for your associate degree.

Med Certs

Med Certs offers an online surgical technology training program.

To qualify for the program, you’ll need to meet one of the following requirements.

You can meet the requirements with an associates or higher degree, or enrollment in a college degree program in a medical-related field.

A current certification in sterile processing or related field is another way to qualify.

You can also have two years of experience in the medical field.

The experience must be in a healthcare environment with direct patient care.

The final way to meet the requirement is with an employee sponsorship.

Surgical Technician Schools in New Hampshire – Summary Table

Salary

A certified surgical tech in New Hampshire makes an average of $55,703.

Most salaries fall between $50,067 and $61,294.

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

Regional Salary in New Hampshire