ATLANTA area Surg. Tech Schools...Any recommendations?

Hey folks, looking to shift careers. Anyone have advice for a good Surg Tech school in the Atlanta area? I have found 3, but don't know anything about them (Brown Mackie, Dekalb Tech, and Everest Institute). Thanks, Scooter

Scooter,

One of the top 20 schools in the nation is Gwinnett Technical College. Stay away from the schools that charge massive amounts of money. Actually the technical schools like Dekalb, Gwinnett and Chattahoocee all have the HOPE GRANT where THEY pay your tuition and 100.00 towards your books each quarter.

Hope this helps...

Thanks, This is what I needed to hear. I just visited Brown Mackie and I couldn't get out of there fast enough when they mentioned tuition cost and also when they could not even tell me who was on the surg tech staff. Scary to say the least.

Scooter,

Don't even think about anything other than a technical school. Gwinnetts the best. You can call TC Parker.She is the program director. She can answer your questions.

Hey thanks again. Another question (or two) if you have time: Are you happy and do you feel satisfied with your job as a surg tech? I am in the midst of a career change (5 years as a teacher) and I'm having a hard time finding people to talk to who are out there in the trenches doing the work. Did you have trouble finding work and was the program very competitive? I am a bit older (36) and am a bit worried about some of the coursework. Thanks again for your time. I really appreciate it.

Scooter,

Email me at dannee@bellsouth.net and I will explain to you where I am in the whole process. I am not yet an ST and have been in my same career for almost 20 years.

well, if you were willing to make the drive and can get in quickly, the best tech program in georgia is at Athens Technical College. Trust me, I went through this program and the hospital I began working at was very impressed at the level that I was at after finishing my program. Beth Jackson-Streb is a wonderful instructor and you learn so much from her.

Dear Heather,
I appreciate the information I am interested in becoming a sugical Tech.what can I do to be successful
thanks eve

Hey if there is a Concorde in your area go there!! You will Thank me later ;)

Does anyone know if the Tech colleges help you find a job. Im starting Chat Tech surg program and am really worried about getting a job. Do any of you have any idea what the job market is out there for surg techs in the atlanta area??
Thanks,
K

Scooter in Woodstock, Georgia said: Hey thanks again. Another question (or two) if you have time: Are you happy and do you feel satisfied with your job as a surg tech? I am in the midst of a career change (5 years as a teacher) and I'm having a hard time finding people to talk to who are out there in the trenches doing the work. Did you have trouble finding work and was the program very competitive? I am a bit older (36) and am a bit worried about some of the coursework. Thanks again for your time. I really appreciate it.

there are so much you can do as a surgical tech, you can advance with a little more education to become a CFA(certified first assistant) and with your teaching experience you can become a surgical technology clinical instructor or a progam director. yes i'm very happy ith my position. i am a traveling surgical tech and althiugh you run into some nasty people at times it is great money and you get to see the world onsomeone else expense. i am 38yrs and been a tech for 8 you are still young!!! i've trained students who was in thier 50's

Scott,

I am currently in the surg tech program at Gwinnett tech. This is a career change for me as well at the age of 46. Gwinnett Tech is one of the top 20 schools in the nation for for this program. Most of us are on the Hope Grant and it costs us very little. Great teachers and great clinical sites. Even with out the grant it is still very reasonable. The class is a year long.

You want NO part of Everest, GMI, High-tech. Their programs are approx. 30,000.00. I did a massive amount of research before I left my telecommunications job of 20 years at AT&T.

Chattahoochee Tech and Dekalb Tech also have programs. Let me know if I can help in any way.

You said you did alot of research.. I start Chat tech next month for my pre-reqs for this program. What have you seen as far as the job market goes? Do these programs help you find a job? What's the demand out here for Surg. Techs??
:)Kim

Scooter in Woodstock, Georgia said: Hey thanks again. Another question (or two) if you have time: Are you happy and do you feel satisfied with your job as a surg tech? I am in the midst of a career change (5 years as a teacher) and I'm having a hard time finding people to talk to who are out there in the trenches doing the work. Did you have trouble finding work and was the program very competitive? I am a bit older (36) and am a bit worried about some of the coursework. Thanks again for your time. I really appreciate it.

Why did you change your mind on becoming a teacher to surg tech? Right now I am a caregiver working with CAFI newnan Head start I have been thinking about the surgical tech program. I seems as if there isn't alot of jobs out there and the pay starts at 12 an hour.

Great Advise you helped me eliminate some bad choices.

Dannee in Atlanta, Georgia said: Scott,

I am currently in the surg tech program at Gwinnett tech. This is a career change for me as well at the age of 46. Gwinnett Tech is one of the top 20 schools in the nation for for this program. Most of us are on the Hope Grant and it costs us very little. Great teachers and great clinical sites. Even with out the grant it is still very reasonable. The class is a year long.

You want NO part of Everest, GMI, High-tech. Their programs are approx. 30,000.00. I did a massive amount of research before I left my telecommunications job of 20 years at AT&T.

Chattahoochee Tech and Dekalb Tech also have programs. Let me know if I can help in any way.

i have been a surgical tech for 20 yrs. it's a great job. jobs are plentyful every where. starting at about $13-$14 an hr. right out of school...might not sound like much, this job really should pay more...if you start at one hospital, work for a year, get a raise, than go to another...you can get at least $2 more per hr...you can work there for a year, get a raise, than go back to the first hospital or another hospital for another $2 more an hr...seems like cheating, well yeah, but after this you can stay or go anywhere you want and make a good living at a great job. believe me, all hospital are always hiring surgical tech's...you can also do a travel assignmemt, really anywhere, anytime. a very open field. just need to do a little foot work in the beganing to get better pay...hope this helped.

Does anyone know if you can complete clinicals at Gwinnett Tech with a DUI on record? DUI is from 2/07 leaving a party on Super Bowl Sunday...:(

I know that Gwinnett Tech requires to take HOBET test. Does anyone know how hard of the test? How competitive of the program in order to get accepted?

I am about to start a ST course at Dover business college. Does anyone know if having a prior DUI charge will be a problem when I am applying for jobs after school?

Hey...I am a travel surgical tech from atlanta was working at Gwinnett and a student that did his clinicals at out site was offered a job but got turned down because his background showed he had a d.u.i and could not be employed. The sad thing was that he was a really good tech.

Could anybody tell me if you have to do a federal background check or just a local Atlanta criminal check to become a Surgical Tech in Atlanta

Before you give money to ANY college ensure their program is accredited or you will not be allowed to sit for the national exam, therefore NO JOB. Most Comm Colleges are accredited but some Tech schools are not. Please keep this in mind, you can check with AST to see if the program your interested in is accredited. Next, get your AAS degree if possible this is coming next. The field is becoming highly specialized. Also, consider staying in school and taking the Surgical First Assistant Program, the pay and opportunities are growing by leaps and bounds. My last suggestion is to sit for the CSRT exam, you should always have a plan B, and becoming a CSR Manager gives you better hours if your trying to raise a family. I am an UASF trained Surgical Specialist with over 35 years experience including Surgical First Assist, CSR Manager, Cath lab tech, CVOR TECH, ENDOVASCULAR TECH, Educator,PACU Tech,and traveler. I've worked in hospitals as well known as Johns Hopkins, B&W, Parkland, Baylor and as small as an ER doubling as and OR. If your open to instruction the surgeons will love you, most love to teach, just humble yourself, be hungry to learn and know the procedures, i.e. study Alexander's Care of the Surgical Patient the old school version per 2000, it teaches the basics and the instruments. Good Luck ALL. Oh, PS; After one year you can become a traveler and have ALL living expenses paid. How does 1000 per wk sound with No expenses including free car rental and free car insurance, it is a great way to learn, save and see the country. Please email me before choosing a travel company I've been burned by housing and pay. I will tell you which companies are very shady.

Hello all, I will be moving to Kennesaw GA at the end of this month and wanted to know what colleges are good to attend here for that program

acls in New Rochelle, New York said: Before you give money to ANY college ensure their program is accredited or you will not be allowed to sit for the national exam, therefore NO JOB. Most Comm Colleges are accredited but some Tech schools are not. Please keep this in mind, you can check with AST to see if the program your interested in is accredited. Next, get your AAS degree if possible this is coming next. The field is becoming highly specialized. Also, consider staying in school and taking the Surgical First Assistant Program, the pay and opportunities are growing by leaps and bounds. My last suggestion is to sit for the CSRT exam, you should always have a plan B, and becoming a CSR Manager gives you better hours if your trying to raise a family. I am an UASF trained Surgical Specialist with over 35 years experience including Surgical First Assist, CSR Manager, Cath lab tech, CVOR TECH, ENDOVASCULAR TECH, Educator,PACU Tech,and traveler. I've worked in hospitals as well known as Johns Hopkins, B&W, Parkland, Baylor and as small as an ER doubling as and OR. If your open to instruction the surgeons will love you, most love to teach, just humble yourself, be hungry to learn and know the procedures, i.e. study Alexander's Care of the Surgical Patient the old school version per 2000, it teaches the basics and the instruments. Good Luck ALL. Oh, PS; After one year you can become a traveler and have ALL living expenses paid. How does 1000 per wk sound with No expenses including free car rental and free car insurance, it is a great way to learn, save and see the country. Please email me before choosing a travel company I've been burned by housing and pay. I will tell you which companies are very shady.

Hello ACLS,

Considering going to school for ST...please let me know about the traveling companies I'm very interested. Thanks, Soshe

acls in New Rochelle, New York said: Before you give money to ANY college ensure their program is accredited or you will not be allowed to sit for the national exam, therefore NO JOB. Most Comm Colleges are accredited but some Tech schools are not. Please keep this in mind, you can check with AST to see if the program your interested in is accredited. Next, get your AAS degree if possible this is coming next. The field is becoming highly specialized. Also, consider staying in school and taking the Surgical First Assistant Program, the pay and opportunities are growing by leaps and bounds. My last suggestion is to sit for the CSRT exam, you should always have a plan B, and becoming a CSR Manager gives you better hours if your trying to raise a family. I am an UASF trained Surgical Specialist with over 35 years experience including Surgical First Assist, CSR Manager, Cath lab tech, CVOR TECH, ENDOVASCULAR TECH, Educator,PACU Tech,and traveler. I've worked in hospitals as well known as Johns Hopkins, B&W, Parkland, Baylor and as small as an ER doubling as and OR. If your open to instruction the surgeons will love you, most love to teach, just humble yourself, be hungry to learn and know the procedures, i.e. study Alexander's Care of the Surgical Patient the old school version per 2000, it teaches the basics and the instruments. Good Luck ALL. Oh, PS; After one year you can become a traveler and have ALL living expenses paid. How does 1000 per wk sound with No expenses including free car rental and free car insurance, it is a great way to learn, save and see the country. Please email me before choosing a travel company I've been burned by housing and pay. I will tell you which companies are very shady.

hi,

thanks ny. so much for your comment.very encouraging. classes start in august. change of life decision.
fl

Wow,
I am glad I looked at this forum. I, too, am looking into a career change. I have always wanted to be in the medical field. I would love to have been a doctor/surgeon. Unfortunately, I was told I wasn't college material. Boy, were they wrong. But, I can see there may be a chance to become a Surgical Technologist. A lot of questions have been answered.

Thanks All,
Tony

I'm at Chatt tech. Before applying I asked many surgeons at the major hospitals in atl where their favorite surg techs graduated from. Every one said Chatt tech

Stay away from everest

You could not have asked surgeons in ATL. It must have been the outskirts.

I've completely changed my mind about Chattahoochee techs surgical tech program now that I have spent 7 weeks in rotation. I couldn't believe how unprepared we were. All of us want to quit every day thanks to the illogical uncaring and unprofessional teachers. I seriously feel like I am in an alternate reality. My experience has been one of the worst experiences of my life. Please save yourself the misery and DO NOT go to Chatt tech.
A

Oh and yes I only asked surgeons in the suburbs of Atlanta. The only other school in the area that they have to compare us to is everest. You just can't get any worse than everest so I'm sure that's why they spoke highly of Chatt tech students.

And one of the major hospitals in the area is where we spent our first rotation. The nurses and techs hate us being there and don't mind showing us every day. I could go on amd on about the insanity of this program but I would take up the entire page.

Surg Tech 30....Please don't give up. I remember when I was doing my clinicals I was treated the same way. Some of my classmates at other hospitals in ATL were treated worse. What I would encourage you to do is try to get all you can and show them that you really want to learn. Okay, your teachers may not have prepared you but let them know you are willing to learn where the school lacked. Most of all I would NOT quit simply because that's what THEY want to see happen. Stay encouraged.

Thank u California ;) I appreciate the encouragement and it's nice to know we aren't the only ones. I agree quitting would b the worst thing I could do. The last 2 days have been alot smoother so I'm hoping it will continue. One day at a time:)

Kim in Marietta, Georgia said: You said you did alot of research.. I start Chat tech next month for my pre-reqs for this program. What have you seen as far as the job market goes? Do these programs help you find a job? What's the demand out here for Surg. Techs??
:)Kim

Hi kim my name is carolyn just found you on indeed forum.I am looking at getting to school in 2011 for ST.Did you finish at chatta tech and did you find a job.

Let me know

Thx

Hi sorry I havent checked this thing for a while. I will be finishing in June at Chatt tech. There are plenty of jobs out there for us. Our college does not help you find a job however, being in clinical rotations at hospitals is like a giant interview. Chatt tech DOES NOT teach u what u need to know prior to going into the OR. The hospitals we rotate through DO NOT want us there bc they end up having to teach us everything. The experience could be so much better if I had gone to another school. I hear that all the other accredited tech schools in the Atlanta area don't have near the problems that we do. The only other one to avoid is Everest. They are NOT accredited but they will tell u they are. Me and the others in my class are managing to barrel through these last few weeks of clinicals. The majority of us have come to the conclusion that we made a big mistake with Chatt tech. I wish I could go into much greater detail but I fear teachers at our school would find this and I would be kicked out of the program this close to finishing and I can't risk that.

Surg tech 30..I am sooo glad to hear that you are just about finished with you clinicals..Now I want to ask, were you told that they would find you a job? The school can't actually find you a job. What your teacher should be doing is guiding ad helping you prepare to get one. I do know that Atlanta Medical is looking for people and they do hire techs right out of school. I would definetly keep an eye on INDEED.COM a lot of jobs are always posted there. If you really want to make money consider traveling after you have perfected your different surgical services. As a traveler ORTHOPEDICS AND SPINE are a big demand for hospitals. I wish you much luck in your job search and just know it will work just fine. I felt the same way when I graduated and in 2months of graduating I had a job.

Good Luck and Congratulations

Looking for a great surgical tech program in the charleston, SC any advice from anyone

Im looking for a good Surgical Tech School but i live outside of Atlanta....Im in Morrow,Ga. Can someone help me?

Hi kim,

It was nice hearing from you have you graduated yet. I am thinking of going to gwinnett tech.Please let me know what your job opportunities are???

Thanks

acls in New Rochelle, New York said: Before you give money to ANY college ensure their program is accredited or you will not be allowed to sit for the national exam, therefore NO JOB. Most Comm Colleges are accredited but some Tech schools are not. Please keep this in mind, you can check with AST to see if the program your interested in is accredited. Next, get your AAS degree if possible this is coming next. The field is becoming highly specialized. Also, consider staying in school and taking the Surgical First Assistant Program, the pay and opportunities are growing by leaps and bounds. My last suggestion is to sit for the CSRT exam, you should always have a plan B, and becoming a CSR Manager gives you better hours if your trying to raise a family. I am an UASF trained Surgical Specialist with over 35 years experience including Surgical First Assist, CSR Manager, Cath lab tech, CVOR TECH, ENDOVASCULAR TECH, Educator,PACU Tech,and traveler. I've worked in hospitals as well known as Johns Hopkins, B&W, Parkland, Baylor and as small as an ER doubling as and OR. If your open to instruction the surgeons will love you, most love to teach, just humble yourself, be hungry to learn and know the procedures, i.e. study Alexander's Care of the Surgical Patient the old school version per 2000, it teaches the basics and the instruments. Good Luck ALL. Oh, PS; After one year you can become a traveler and have ALL living expenses paid. How does 1000 per wk sound with No expenses including free car rental and free car insurance, it is a great way to learn, save and see the country. Please email me before choosing a travel company I've been burned by housing and pay. I will tell you which companies are very shady.

Hi, thank you for this post it was very helpful. I will be moving to Atlanta in a month and will be attending gwinnett tech. Any info would be helpful towards after school options as well as the travel tech companies. Career change from being a Cna.

Surg tech 30 said: Hi sorry I havent checked this thing for a while. I will be finishing in June at Chatt tech. There are plenty of jobs out there for us. Our college does not help you find a job however, being in clinical rotations at hospitals is like a giant interview. Chatt tech DOES NOT teach u what u need to know prior to going into the OR. The hospitals we rotate through DO NOT want us there bc they end up having to teach us everything. The experience could be so much better if I had gone to another school. I hear that all the other accredited tech schools in the Atlanta area don't have near the problems that we do. The only other one to avoid is Everest. They are NOT accredited but they will tell u they are. Me and the others in my class are managing to barrel through these last few weeks of clinicals. The majority of us have come to the conclusion that we made a big mistake with Chatt tech. I wish I could go into much greater detail but I fear teachers at our school would find this and I would be kicked out of the program this close to finishing and I can't risk that.

Hi,
I am currently looking to enroll at Chattahoochee Tech for the Surg. Tech program. If you say don't go to CTech, then where should one go? If you go to CAAHEP webiste the only 2 schools with accreditation is CTech and Everest. I have heard horrible things about Everest. So, where does one go if you say no to CTech also? If the school isn't accredited, you can't sit for the exam, which means you can't get a job. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I am 37 yo and do not have any time to waste on school/program at this point in my life if the training is inadequate. Help, please! :) thanks

will they hire you if you are not certified?

KAW in Atlanta, Georgia said: Hi,
I am currently looking to enroll at Chattahoochee Tech for the Surg. Tech program. If you say don't go to CTech, then where should one go? If you go to CAAHEP webiste the only 2 schools with accreditation is CTech and Everest. I have heard horrible things about Everest. So, where does one go if you say no to CTech also? If the school isn't accredited, you can't sit for the exam, which means you can't get a job. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I am 37 yo and do not have any time to waste on school/program at this point in my life if the training is inadequate. Help, please! :) thanks

The only schools accredited according to CAAHEP in GA is Chatt. Tech and Everest, so of you wish you could have gone somewhere else, where? I'm just trying to understand. I hear you need to go to an accredited school, is that wrong? I am in the process of getting transcripts to apply. I am 37 and don't have time to really waste on a program that is inadequate. I appreciate any advice! :)

highly interested in Riverview, Florida said: will they hire you if you are not certified?

As far as I know from research,you will not get hired unless you are certified. To get certified. you have to go to an accredited school to be allowed to sit for the exam right after you finish school. If you go to a school that is not accredited, you have to work in the field either one or two years before you can take the exam. but again no one will even hire you unless you've been certified. So you might as well go to a school thats been accredited. You can go to CAAHEP and select your state and it will tell you the schools that are accredited in your area. Again, this is all from web research and forums like this one. I could be wrong if the info I gathered was incorrect. Hope this helps.

Hi ladies!! woow there are some wonderful posts on here. I live in Marietta GA and im interested in doing ST as well. I have been a medical assistant since 2003 and I want to change careers. Any advice? I just did my financial online but I'm trying to see what school should I apply for because I'm new to GA. Can anyone help.

Surg tech 30 said: Hi sorry I havent checked this thing for a while. I will be finishing in June at Chatt tech. There are plenty of jobs out there for us. Our college does not help you find a job however, being in clinical rotations at hospitals is like a giant interview. Chatt tech DOES NOT teach u what u need to know prior to going into the OR. The hospitals we rotate through DO NOT want us there bc they end up having to teach us everything. The experience could be so much better if I had gone to another school. I hear that all the other accredited tech schools in the Atlanta area don't have near the problems that we do. The only other one to avoid is Everest. They are NOT accredited but they will tell u they are. Me and the others in my class are managing to barrel through these last few weeks of clinicals. The majority of us have come to the conclusion that we made a big mistake with Chatt tech. I wish I could go into much greater detail but I fear teachers at our school would find this and I would be kicked out of the program this close to finishing and I can't risk that.

If you go to CAAHEP website, Everest is on their list of accredited schools as well as Chattahoochee Tech. I don't think they would be on there if they were not accredited, would they? I have already applied to CTech but now considering Everest, because it is so much closer to me.

kia in Atlanta, Georgia said: Im looking for a good Surgical Tech School but i live outside of Atlanta....Im in Morrow,Ga. Can someone help me?

Yes try Griffin Tech, they seem to have a great program.

If you are willing to do the Drive the only other is Gwinnett Tech...I would check on the two and make a decision. I can't speak on Griffin but I know that Gwinnett is an excellent school. I didn't attend there I did Dekalb when they did have a program. I worked at Gwinnett Medical and when the students got to their clinical rotation they were very good.

Good Luck

momtomaddox in Atlanta, Georgia said: If you go to CAAHEP website, Everest is on their list of accredited schools as well as Chattahoochee Tech. I don't think they would be on there if they were not accredited, would they? I have already applied to CTech but now considering Everest, because it is so much closer to me.

Was curious to find out if you decided to try Everest. I've been thinking about because they are accredited but the reviews and comments scare the heck out of me. I'm hoping to start a program soon.