United Health Services Healthcare Careers > Education Incentive Program > Surgery Technology Education Incentive Program

Surgical Technology Education Incentive Program (EIP)

The Surgical Technology Education Incentive Program, in partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), allows employees at United Health Services hospitals to earn their associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree in Surgical Technology at no cost. United Health Services will pay for eligible employees’ tuition, fees, textbooks, and certification exam.

What’s more, employees in this program will continue to be eligible for benefits and will be paid wages for 24 hours per week in addition to the hours they work at United Health Services—these hours will range from only eight to 16 hours each week. This flexible schedule will allow you to focus on classes, coursework, and clinicals without losing pay or benefits.

After successful completion of this two-year program, you’ll be placed as a Surgical Technologist in a United Health Services operating room and serve a three-year work commitment.

Surgical Technology EIP At A Glance

Surgical Technologists (also called OR Techs or Surg Techs) assist surgical teams in the operating room and work to ensure rooms are well-prepared and sterile, and that surgery logistics run smoothly.

Program Start:

August 23, 2025

Covered Expenses:

Tuition, fees, textbooks, and certification exam

Program Delivery:

Online and in person at United Health Services

Prerequisites:

High school diploma or equivalent

Duration:

Four semesters (two years)

Degree:

Associate of Applied Sciences in Surgical Technology from Mohawk Valley Community College

Certification:

NBSTA Certified Surgical Technologist (must pass exam within 12 months of graduation)

Working Hours Required:

8 to 16 per week as an OR Tech Trainee (United Health Services pays you an additional 24)

The application deadline for fall 2025 start is June 27, 2025.

Program Logistics

What will I learn?
Surgical Technologists are key members of the Operating Room team that assists during surgeries. They work closely with surgeons, RNs, anesthesiologists, and other staff members. Surgical Technologists (sometimes called OR Techs or Surg Techs) work with surgical equipment, help prepare medication, assist in retracting tissues from the patient, pass surgical tools, and prepare rooms for cases.

Where will I work when I’m in the program?
Employees accepted into this program will be transferred to an Operating Room and work as an OR Tech Trainee in order to gain additional experience. You will be scheduled to work eight hours per week (or up to 16 hours per week, provided you maintain an acceptable GPA). When school is not in session during semester or holiday breaks, you will be required to work a regular schedule of 32 to 40 hours each week.

How will I earn money if I’m in classes?
During academic semesters, United Health Services will pay you for 24 hours in addition to the time you’ve actually worked at the hospital. This will allow you to remain eligible for benefits and focus on your class work and clinicals.

What does United Health Services cover?
United Health Services will pay for tuition, lab/clinical fees, travel to MVCC if necessary, and the certification exam. Payments will be made to MVCC directly, so you will not need to pay up front for reimbursement. Textbooks will be covered through a stipend each semester.

What does the program schedule look like? What’s required?
The AAS in Surgical Technology program will take four semesters (two years) to complete. Some courses are delivered online, while others will take place in person at United Health Services, such as labs and clinicals. An instructor from MVCC will travel to United Health Services for in-person courses.

Typical Schedule and Course Sequence

These courses will set the foundation for the rest of your degree program.

CF100 College Foundations Seminar (1)
EN101 English 1: Composition (3)
HM100 Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (3)
MA108 Concepts in Mathematics (3)
PY101 Introduction to General Psychology (3)
ST120 Surgical Instrumentation (2)

This semester includes clinicals two days per week, which will focus on sterile processing.

BI216 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 (4)
ST130 Sterile Processing and Surgical Technology (3)
ST131 Fundamentals of Surgical Technology (3)
ST220 Sterile Processing Clinical Practice (6)

This semester includes clinicals two days per week.

BI217 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 (4)
EN102 English 2: Ideas and Values in Literature (3)
ST140 Surgical Technology Skills & Procedures (3)
ST230 Surgical Technology Clinical Practice (6)

This semester includes clinicals three days per week.

BI209 Basic Pathophysiology (3)
ST109 Pharmacology for the Surgical Technologist (2)
ST141 Surgical Technology Skills & Procedures (3)
ST240 Surgical Technology Clinical Practice 2 (7)

Program Outcomes

After graduating, you will begin your United Health Services Surgical Technologist work commitment. If you’re interested in moving your career further, United Health Services can help.

What degree and credentials will I earn?

At the end of the program, you will take a national test through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a Certified Surgical Technologist. The curriculum will also prepare you to become a certified Sterile Processing Technician. When you graduate, you will have an Associate’s Degree in Surgical Technology.

Where will I work once I complete the program?

Upon successful completion of the Surgical Technology program and certification exam, you will be placed in the Operating Room at Binghamton General Hospital or Wilson Medical Center. You will be required to complete three years of work with United Health Services at 36 hours per week or more. If you do not complete the work commitment, you will need to pay back the cost of the program, the terms of which will be outlined in your application and contract.

Is there an upward career path once I become a Surgical Technologist?

Some OR Techs decide to continue their education and go on to become nurses or take on other patient care roles. With an associate’s degree and clinical training, plus Operating Room experience, you will build your resume and open doors for your future career. If you’re eligible, United Health Services can continue to support you in your career development later on with tuition reimbursement, other education incentive programs, and flexible scheduling.

Application Process and Eligibility

In order to be eligible, you must have no active disciplinary actions. You are not required to have any previous clinical experience, though it may be helpful. MVCC may require some prerequisite testing depending on your transcripts and previous education. If you applied for this program previously and were not granted admission, you must reapply for 2025.

Once enrolled, employees must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and remain in satisfactory academic and employment standing throughout the duration of the program.

Disclaimer: Acceptance requires committing to a contract that stipulates failure to complete the program or accept employment as assigned will result in mandatory repayment of all monies expended by UHS and 8% interest if paid in installments.

Application Timeline

The application deadline for fall 2025 start is June 27, 2025.

EIP Application

We anticipate the selection process will be extremely competitive. Please be sure to submit ALL of your application materials by the deadline to be considered for the program:

Completed online application to our OR Tech Trainee (Surgical Technician EIP Program MVCC) position
Copies of your high school and college (if applicable) transcripts must be sent to MVCC.
Unofficial Transcripts (from any school) and resume must be uploaded to Workday
Students MUST be accepted to the program at MVCC in order to be eligible.
As part of an immersive interview experience, applicants must observe a surgery.

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