Surgical Technology - How to Get Started

Surgical technology online information session

Once you have reviewed the online information session, attend a Zoom Q&A meeting.

• Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 5 P.M.
• Monday, March 10, 2025 at 5 P.M.

Join Q&A Zoom Meeting

To apply for fall term 2025 admission, you must meet the requirements below by the deadline date of April 18, 2025.

These courses are required and must be completed by the winter term, March 2025, or registered to complete by spring term 2025. Science courses must be completed between winter term 2015 and spring term 2025.

Courses must be completed with a “C” grade or higher. Use our transfer course equivalency tool to see if your courses from other colleges apply.

These courses expire after 10 years (completed no earlier than winter term 2015):

• BI231 Human Anatomy and Physiology
• BI234 Microbiology

These courses do not expire:

• MTH058 or MTH065 or higher
• WR115 or WR121Z (or placement* into WR121Z since 4/18/2020)  
  • WR121 course with “Z” at the end is equivalent to WR121.

Written Exercise: Surgical Technologist Job Description

Complete the written requirements outlined below, save with your name, and MHCC ID number and upload with your application. Submissions must be typed in an essay format or bullet points and written in your own words. There is no minimum or maximum word limit if all three questions are answered.

1. Demonstrate that you have researched the profession of surgical technology by creating a job description for a surgical technologist. The job description must include the following categories:

• Job title
• Required qualifications
• Required personal characteristics
• Wages
• Work hours
• Examples of places of employment
• Description of the working environment
• Roles and responsibilities
• Requirements for obtaining and maintaining national certification
• Description of physical demands

2. Please explain:

• Based on your research of the surgical technology program, what areas within the program do you think will be the most challenging? How will you adapt to become successful?
• What motivates you to put forth your greatest efforts? Please provide an example of a time you were struggling with a project, and you had to find the motivation to successfully complete it. 

3. Cite at least three resources (required).

Resources may include employment ads, online resources such as Glassdoor; Association of Surgical Technologists, National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or interviews with surgical technologists.

The following technical standards are provided to inform prospective and enrolled students of the skills required in completing their chosen profession’s curriculum and in the provision of health care services. These technical standards reflect the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary for successful completion of the requirements of clinical based health care programs. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the program should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required for successful completion of the program.

Mt. Hood Community College provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. For more info, contact Accessible Education Services.

• Assist in lifting and positioning patients weighing as much as 500 pounds.
• Lift trays of instruments weighing 30 pounds.
• Stand for long periods of time without breaks.
• Maneuver large pieces of surgical equipment.
• Manipulate and account for placement of very fine (11-0) suture with needle (finer than a hair).
• Respond to verbal commands/responses with or without visual cues.
• Sort and set-up instruments within a stated time-frame for safety in surgical setting.
• Demonstrate bi-manual dexterity.
• Be free of infectious disease.
• Maintain hands and arms free of disease.

• Concentrate and attend to detail amidst a variety of environmental distractions.
• Process information accurately, thoroughly, and quickly.
• Carry out complex sequences of instructions.
• Prioritize tasks quickly.
• Demonstrate positive coping skills in a stressful environment.
• Learn and apply new information regarding new procedures on an on-going basis.
• Demonstrate prior learning.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
• Adapt to frequent changes in the work environment.

• Interact positively with many professionals as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate professional behaviors and accountability.
• Comply with clinical attire requirements and dress code.
• Demonstrate integrity and honesty.
• Demonstrate the ability to handle stress effectively and professionally.
• Follow directions and accept constructive criticism without becoming defensive.
• Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.

Potential hazards in the surgical care setting include but are not limited to:

• Toxic chemicals.
• Toxic anesthetic gasses.
• Radiation.
• Infectious diseases.
• Latex.

For your safety, it is in your best interest to advise program faculty if you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant at any time.

Apply for general admission to MHCC if you are new to MHCC or have not attended in the last four terms. Select AGS in Health Professions as your major. Please note it could take one to two business days to receive your MHCC ID number.  

Pay the $35 non-refundable application fee once you are ready to submit your application. You will need to upload your payment receipt with your application. 

PAY NOW

Official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges where you completed prerequisite courses are required. If you’re finishing prerequisites in the winter term, wait until grades are posted before requesting transcripts. Otherwise, complete this step as soon as possible. Updated official transcripts are required only if new courses have been taken.  

Transcripts must be issued directly by the institution from which the course was taken. Coursework showing as transferred from one institution to another is not accepted. Official electronic transcripts via secure electronic delivery service may be submitted to [email protected]. E-transcripts cannot be sent from the student to MHCC as they are not considered official. If submitting transcripts by mail, send to: 

Mt. Hood Community College – Surgical Technology Application
Admissions, Registration and Records
26000 SE Stark St.
Gresham OR 97030

• MHCC transcript: Not required, already on file.
• Regionally Accredited Institutions: Required for prerequisite courses.
• Non-Regionally Accredited Institutions: Not required.
• Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DSST, GED® or International Baccalaureate (IB) Transcripts/Scores: Required only if used for writing and math admission requirements and must be issued directly from College Board, DSST, GED® Testing Service or IB in a sealed envelope (see credit alternatives).
• Foreign/Non-US Based Educational Transcripts: Required only if used to meet admission requirements and must first be evaluated by an outside credential service. The evaluated transcripts must be submitted by the application deadline for the program. For more information, visit transfer to MHCC page. Evaluation processing for foreign transcripts is time-consuming, and the process could take up to six weeks. It is best to start this process early. A foreign bachelor's degree does not fulfill the prerequisite requirements.

Submit your application from January 6, 2025 through April 18, 2025. If applicable, please be sure to have your documents ready for uploading and transcript(s) available for entering your prerequisite courses. Once started, your application cannot be saved. The application times out at 45 minutes which is plenty of time to complete it.

APPLY NOW!

Upon successful submission of your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email confirming receipt of your application within three business days, please email [email protected].

As your application gets reviewed, the status will be updated in the MyMHCC portal.

APPLICATION TIMELINE - FALL TERM 2025 ENTRY

• January 6, 2025: You may submit your application.
• April 18, 2025: Application deadline. All materials are due to MHCC. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for admission.
• May 2025: Interview and proctored essay selection process. Visit the career planning and counseling center to sign up for interview preparation tips or email [email protected] to request access to StandOut where you can practice your interviewing skills online.
• Late May/Early June 2025: Notification of admission selection. Up to 20-24 applicants are accepted to the program. Up to 10 applicants will be placed on the waitlist.
• June and September 2025: Two required orientations for accepted students. 
• September 22, 2025: Fall term classes begin.

Dates are subject to change. Any changes to the processing timeline will be updated here.

All applications that are considered complete (all required materials submitted) by the application deadline will be evaluated by the program faculty committee to determine the candidates invited to participate in a group-style interview and proctored essay process. After all interviews are held:

• 20-24 applicants are officially admitted into the program.
• Up to 10 qualified candidates will be placed on a waitlist and offered a position in the class if any of the accepted candidates decline their position in the program.

If you are offered a seat in the program, you will be required to complete the following to keep your position:

• Attend the required orientations in June and September (a specific date and time will be in your acceptance letter).
• At orientation, you will meet with your instructors and classmates, learn about CPR certification, uniforms, and registration. You will be provided with information about the required health and safety documents, criminal background check and drug screen. These must be completed and turned in by the assigned due dates. Please note, religious or medical exceptions are not allowed.
  

• Health and safety requirements: You are required to meet all health and safety requirements established by affiliate health care facilities and by the college. These requirements include annual training, immunizations, tuberculosis screening, drug and alcohol testing, and criminal background checks. You will be advised of the requirements and timeline for completion upon acceptance into the program. It is your responsibility to provide documentation and maintain currency. Students who are not in compliance will be unable to attend clinical practicum. Please note, this drug screening may also check for prescription drugs that contain amphetamines, barbiturates, opioids, benzodiazepines, and marijuana. If you are taking any prescribed medication that may contain these drugs you will need to meet with the program director after completing the drug screen. All immunizations are required by Oregon Health Authority (OHA) for health care providers.
• Orientation for accepted and waitlisted students: Two mandatory program orientations will be held for accepted students. One will be in late June and the other is generally the week before fall term starts each year. The specific dates will be provided to you if accepted to the program. Attendance is required, or a waitlisted applicant will be given your assigned place in the program.

These costs are approximations and are listed only as a guide for your financial planning. Tuition is as of fall term 2024 and subject to change without notice. You are advised to have a financial plan in place.

• Tuition and College Fees: $12,699
  Based on six terms in the program including general education courses needed for the Associate of Applied Science in surgical technology but does not include the prerequisites. If you have completed some or all the general education courses, your tuition will be less.)
  View the current tuition rate.

• Course Fees: $1,675
  Course Fee Breakdown by Term
  First quarter: $50
  ST101 Surgical Technology Theory I
  Second quarter: $50 and $175
  ST102 Surgical Technology Theory II
  ST111 Surgical Technology Lab I
  Third quarter: $175
  ST112 Surgical Technology Lab II
  Summer quarter: $175
  ST155 Surgical Technology Lab for Clinical Readiness
  Fourth quarter: $350
  ST221 Surgical Tech Clinical Practicum
  Fifth quarter: $350
  ST222 Surgical Tech Clinical Practicum
  Sixth quarter: $350
  ST223 Surgical Tech Clinical Practicum

• Books for surgical technology classes: $762
• Scrubs and eyewear: $65
• Travel to clinical sites: Varies
• Immunizations: Varies
• CastleBranch: $166
  
  Grand Total: $15,366

Learn about paying for college

Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) reserves the right to modify the criteria and the process for selection.  

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the surgical technology program. Admission of all students to the program is centralized in the admissions, registration, and records office. This office has the final authority on all admission criteria and is the sole authority to inform students of their admission status.  

If you have questions regarding admission requirements and procedures, please email [email protected].  

Reasons for Admission Disqualification: Withholding information or providing materially misleading information and giving untruthful information to questions on the program application or during the application process could be cause for non‐acceptance or dismissal from the program. If you were admitted and then failed a required course or were dismissed from the program or any other health-related program, you may be denied admission into the program.   

Previous Admission: If you were previously accepted into the program and then declined acceptance or withdrew, you will need to re‐apply to the program and will be required to meet the current program admission requirements and program standards. Materials cannot be brought forward from previous applications for a current application.