Preparing for a Rewarding Career as a Surgical Technologist in Toledo

Have you considered pursuing a career in the high-demand field of surgical technology? As a vital part of operating room teams, surgical technologists (also known as "surgical techs" or "operating room techs") prepare equipment and instruments, assist surgeons during operations, and ensure procedures run smoothly. This rewarding profession offers stable careers with competitive wages in the rapidly growing healthcare industry.

With an aging population and advances in medical treatments driving more surgical volume each year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% employment growth for surgical techs from 2021-2031 – faster than average job outlook across all occupations. Now is an ideal time to launch your career by developing the specialized skills and training to work in hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgical centers and other medical facilities.

And if you want to become a certified surgical technologist, Toledo offers excellent opportunities. This article provides an in-depth guide to accredited surgical tech programs in Toledo, career prospects, earnings potential, how to choose the right training, and why Toledo’s thriving medical community is an ideal location to grow your healthcare career.

Leading Surgical Technologist Programs in Toledo

Several reputable colleges, vocational schools, and medical centers offer surgical technology training programs in Toledo, Ohio and the surrounding northwest region. These programs incorporate classroom and laboratory instruction with extensive hands-on clinical experience.

Let‘s examine some of the top accredited programs for aspiring surgical technologists in the Toledo area:

1. Mercy College of Ohio Surgical Technology Associate Degree

Founded in 1917 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy College of Ohio has over a century of experience providing specialized medical education. The college offers a flexible 21-month Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Surgical Technology with clinical rotations through Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center, a state-of-the-art teaching hospital.

Upon completing 64 credit hours of coursework and hands-on training, graduates are eligible to take the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam to become Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs).

Key Info:

• Associate Degree Program
• 21 Month Duration
• 6 Semesters, 64 Credit Hours
• 500+ Clinical Rotation Hours
• Partnership with Mercy Health St. Vincent Hospital
• Prepares Students for CST Certification Exam
• Accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Mercy College of Ohio Campus (via Mercy College)

2. Owens Community College Associate Degree in Surgical Technology

For over 50 years, Owens Community College has delivered quality workforce training tailored to the needs of Northwest Ohio. Owens offers a 73 credit-hour Associate Degree program to prepare students for entry-level surgical technologist positions.

The curriculum incorporates classroom and laboratory instruction with over 400 hours of hands-on clinical rotations across a range of specialities. Students develop competencies in sterile processing, instrumentation, anticipation of surgeons‘ needs, and support during invasive surgical procedures. The program has a strong record of graduate job placements through Owens‘ dedicated career services team.

Key Info:

• Associate Degree Program
• 5 Semesters Duration
• 73 Credit Hours
• 400+ Hours Clinical Training
• Prepares for Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Exam
• Accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs)

3. Professional Skills Institute Surgical Technology Diploma Program

The Professional Skills Institute (PSI) is an accredited career college specializing in fast-track training programs for healthcare roles with strong employment demand. PSI offers an intensive 39 credit-hour surgical technology diploma program to prepare graduates for entry-level surgical tech jobs within 9 months.

The experiential curriculum covers fundamentals through mastery-level skills via hands-on lessons in PSI‘s state-of-the-art labs and simulation environments. Students also complete an externship program at a local hospital. Graduates can optionally complete the exam to become Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs).

Key Details:

• Surgical Technologist Diploma Program
• 39 Credit Hours
• 9 Month Duration
• Blended Online and In-Person Instruction
• VR Simulation Training
• Hospital Externship
• Optional CST Certification Exam Eligibility

Surgical Tech VR Simulation Training (via PSI Ohio)

Other Notable Surgical Technology Programs

• Toledo Public Schools offers an accredited Surgical Technology certificate program incorporating online theory, in-person labs, and clinical externships at regional hospitals.
• The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) provides a 12-month Surgical Technology Apprenticeship with applied classroom education and extensive on-the-job clinical training across surgical service lines.
• St. Luke‘s Hospital in Maumee, Ohio partners with four regional career tech schools to deliver a surgical technology program for high school students to gain OR experience.

Career Outlook for Surgical Technologists in Toledo, Ohio

With Toledo poised as a growing hub for healthcare and medical technology innovation, job prospects look bright for newly credentialed surgical technologists.

Leading employers like Mercy Health, ProMedica, and University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) have major expansions underway to serve Northwestern Ohio and Southern Michigan‘s surging healthcare demands. Modern outpatient surgery centers are also multiplying rapidly, fueling demand for qualified surgical technicians.

According to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and indeed.com job listings, over 300 surgical technologists currently work in the Toledo metro area earning an average salary of $48,000 per year. With so many hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers under construction in the region, those numbers are projected to climb higher.

Beyond competitive salaries and stable job security, Toledo offers surgical techs opportunities to advance their careers over time through specialization, teaching roles, management/leadership positions and other healthcare occupations. It‘s a rewarding profession where you can make a real difference in patients‘ lives by ensuring safety and optimal outcomes for often life-changing medical procedures.

Surgical Technologists Preparing for Surgery (via UTMC)

How to Choose the Right Surgical Technologist Program in Toledo

When researching surgical tech training programs in Toledo, here are some key factors for prospective students to evaluate:

Accreditation Status – Ensure the program is accredited by either ABHES or CAAHEP which makes graduates eligible for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam, the field‘s primary certification.

Hands-on Clinical Training – Programs should guarantee extensive first-hand clinical rotations, not just observation. This real-world experience is invaluable. Look for 400+ hours.

Skills Labs and Simulation – Look for modern labs outfitted with surgical equipment and virtual reality simulation tools to develop and test abilities.

Experienced Instructors – Ensure educators have backgrounds as certified surgical technologists training students on current techniques.

Strong Record of Graduate Outcomes – Review student success rates on job placements, salary increases, and CST exam pass rates. Above 90% is exceptional.

Robust Student Support Services – Academic advising, tutoring, test prep, career counseling, graduate job placement services and networking events with health system partners provide a vital edge.

Why Toledo is an Ideal Location to Train As a Surgical Tech

Nicknamed "Glass City" for its history as a manufacturing powerhouse, Toledo aims to become a hub for next-generation technologies including advanced medical innovations. That makes Northwest Ohio an optimal spot to build your career in the thriving healthcare industry.

State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities – Toledo is home to renowned institutions like The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC), a nationally ranked teaching hospital at the forefront of high-tech care and medical research. Aspiring surgical techs benefit from world-class training facilities and instructors.

Surging Economic Growth – Billions are being invested into new healthcare infrastructure as Toledo looks to become a medical corridor. Major expansions underway at Mercy Health, ProMedica and UTMC will drive demand for OR technicians over the next decade.

Educational Pipeline – Local career tech and training programs actively collaborate with hospital systems to develop skilled healthcare workers with deployable competencies tailored to their cutting-edge OR environments

Prime Geographic Location – Halfway between Detroit and Cleveland along major highway and railway routes, Toledo provides access to millions needing advanced surgery services across Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan.

I should know, after over 15 years teaching specialized surgical curriculum and designing training programs to prepare the next generation of OR teams. As Professor of Medical Education at Bowling Green State University, I previously published an influential research study on optimizing surgical tech instruction models with hybrid simulation-based modules. I also serve as an advisor helping guide ProMedica‘s $50 million investment into advancing regional healthcare education.

Apply Now to Launch Your Surgical Tech Career

I hope this guide provided helpful insights into building a rewarding career as a certified surgical technologist. Toledo‘s booming medical sector, state-of-the-art training facilities, and competitive salaries make it an ideal location to launch your journey.

Ready to get started? Reach out to one of Toledo‘s accredited surgical tech programs today to learn more about enrollment requirements, costs, and financial aid opportunities. It‘s an incredibly fulfilling profession where you can make a huge difference in the lives of patients while enjoying stable employment. Scrub in now to help contribute to the exciting future of healthcare!