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.