Surgical Technology

Biological and Health Sciences Division, Room B213, (847) 543-2042

https://www.clcillinois.edu/programs/biodv/surgical-technology
Degree: : Associate in Applied Science
Plan 21SA

This is a limited-enrollment, day only program. Students are required to meet the screening requirements in effect at the time of screening. Students who screen and are accepted into a limited enrollment program will be required to complete the curriculum that is in place at the time of entrance into the program. If students who screen are not granted admission, they must rescreen and satisfy all screening and curriculum requirements in place for a future program start.

Screening Deadline: First Wednesday in March

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are integral to the surgical team. They assist in the decontamination and set up of the operating rooms for each procedure, organize the necessary surgical and sterile supplies and equipment, and maintain the quality, safety, and efficiency of the sterile field throughout the surgery.  Surgical technologists might also be involved in transporting patients to and from the operating room, assisting to position patients on the operating table, observing vital signs and checking charts.  During the surgery, technologists help the surgical team with sterile gowns and gloves, they anticipate the needs of the surgeon by watching and understanding the steps and progression of the surgical procedure. They are accountable for the care of surgical instrumentation and equipment before, during, and at the completion of surgical cases.

The Surgical Technology program offers a comprehensive curriculum comprising classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and clinical training. Throughout the year, lectures are conducted in person on Grayslake campus. The laboratory component spans the initial eight weeks of the first semester, covering all essential skills necessary for operating room proficiency. Clinical experience commences in the latter half of the first semester and extends across three consecutive semesters. Placement at clinical sites is assigned to students.  Students are responsible for arranging their transportation to and from these sites. It's important to note that clinical rotations may require travel of up to an hour. Additionally, students should anticipate potential supplementary expenses during clinical rotations, including but not limited to parking fees and transportation costs.

Graduates of the program are qualified to take the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Examination given by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). To complete an A.A.S., students must complete the required general education courses. All course prerequisites must be met.  Upon acceptance into the program, students are required to undergo a background check and a urine drug screen. The results of the background check and drug screen may result in the student losing his/her seat in the program. The costs are borne by the student.

To be considered for admission to the Surgical Technology Program, students must complete the following screening requirements prior to the deadline. Students must have submitted the following documents to the Welcome and One-Stop Center:

1. Student Information Form

2. Official high school transcript with graduation date OR Official GED test scores OR Official college transcripts with graduation date and degree awarded OR Official foreign high school or college transcript evaluated by a NACES approved agency

3. Surgical Technology Program Request for Screening Form

4. If using courses from another college to meet prerequisites or degree requirements, submit an official transcript and a “Request for Evaluation of Prior College Transcripts” form to the Office of Registrar and Records.

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Minimum Selection Criteria

Student records must indicate the following:

1. High school graduate or equivalent or high school senior in last term

2. College Reading and Writing Readiness and Basic Algebra Readiness

3. CLC Cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above

4. NLN NEX with minimum acceptable RN percentile rank scores of 40 verbal, 40 math, 40 science, and a composite percentile of 40 (within 3 years prior to the screening deadline)

Attendance at a Surgical Technology Information Session (within two years of the screening deadline)

Note:  As of May 2024, the NEX Exam has replaced the PAX Exam. Scores for either exam completed within 3 years prior to the screening deadline will be considered.

Program Accreditation

The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) requires that surgical technologists who are applying for certification for the first time must have completed their education in a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The CLC surgical technology program is fully accredited by CAAHEP, 9355 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775.

Physical and Emotional Ability Performance Standards

Students must meet the physical and emotional ability standards listed below to satisfactorily perform in the Surgical Technology Program:

• have full range of motion of joints, fine motor movements of the hands, ability to perform repetitive tasks and the ability to stoop, bend, twist, reach and occasionally kneel and squat.

• have the ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• be able to push or pull a wheelchair, cart, or gurney.

• have adequate hearing which permits the individual to communicate in a rational and coherent manner with others in the English language.

• have the ability to examine closely images or other forms of output created by diagnostic equipment; must have color vision; must have good visual acuity for client assessment, checking medications, loading fine sutures, distinguishing and recognizing fine variations and differences in surgical instruments.

• adapt effectively to high stress environments to insure client safety.

• respond in an emotionally controlled manner in learning situations.

• be able to stand and walk 8 or more hours per clinical session.

Please contact the SRG department chair Elliot Eggler at eeggler@clcillinois.edu if you have questions regarding your ability to meet these standards.

Physical Demands for the Surgical Technology Program

Constant (67% – 100%)

• talking, seeing, and hearing

• standing for prolonged periods

• walking at average speed or faster

• responding quickly to orders

• manual dexterity

Frequent (34 – 66%)

• lifting and moving patients

• kneeling, bending, stooping

• pushing, pulling, reaching

• refraining from nourishment

Occasionally (10 – 33%)

• exert up to 100 pounds of force

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Communication of Safety Considerations

The surgical technology program ensures that students receive information about known and suspected health hazards and toxic substances which they may be exposed to during clinical. Risk factors involved in the operating room include, but are not limited to:

• Physical Risk Factors- Temperature, noise, lighting, humidity, air-conditioning, air pollutants, ionizing radiation, non-ergonomic work conditions, latex allergy, sharp injuries, etc.

• Chemical Risk Factors- Disinfectants, anesthetic agents, cytotoxic agents, drugs, some heavy metals such as mercury and latex and primary chemicals used in operating rooms, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, Methyl methacrylate, etc.

• Biological Risk Factors- Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and AIDS, respiratory transmitted diseases, coronavirus, various pathogens and blood born infections, laser and electrical plume.

• Psychological Risk Factors- Psychological reactions due to stress, workplace violence/bullying.

• Ergonomic Risk Factors- Musculoskeletal injuries, trips/falls, etc.

• Radiation Risk Factors- Carcinomas caused by radiation exposure, thyroids, eyes, hands and gonads are among the regions that are most affected by radiation.

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The number of students that may be admitted to clinical education courses is limited for any given term; therefore, a screening procedure is used to select the academically best qualified from among those who request consideration.

Preference is given to residents of Community College District 532 (CLC) and residents of other community college districts with which CLC has a Joint Education Agreement. Students who live outside of CLC’s district but are eligible for in-district tuition because they are employed by a district employer are NOT considered residents of the district for purposes of selection into the program.

Note: Applicants may take the NLN NEX exam once every 90 days (approximately three months). NLN NEX exam results that are less than 90 days between exams will not be considered. Scores used for screening into limited enrollment programs will be valid for only 3 years prior to a screening deadline. Scores older than 3 years will not be considered for screening.

Visit https://www.nln.org/education/assessment-services where you will locate, purchase, and register for your assessment.

All required materials must be submitted to the Welcome and One Stop Center by the screening deadlines.

If space is available in the program after the initial screening deadline, qualified students will be accepted in an order based on academic qualifications.

Students must maintain a minimum grade of “C” in each of the courses listed below to continue in and graduate from the program. In addition, students must maintain a CLC GPA of 2.0 or higher.

First Semester (Summer)

6 Credits

course

College Success Seminar

2

course

Principles of Biology

4

Second Semester (Fall)

13 Credits

course*

Human Form and Function or

course*

Anatomy and Physiology I

4

course*

Medical Terminology

3

course

Technical Composition I or

course

English Composition I

3

course

Critical Thinking

3

Third Semester (Spring)

8-14 Credits

course*

Anatomy and Physiology II                        

(only if completing the BIO 244/245 sequence)

0-4

course

Dynamics of Small Group Discussion or

course

Fundamentals of Speech

3

course

Introduction to Psychology or

other Social and Behavioral Science elective

3

course**

Essentials of Microbiology or

course

Microbiology

2-4

Fourth Semester (Fall)

13 Credits

course

Introduction to Surgical Technology

6

course

Principles of Practice and Introduction to Surgical Procedures

7

Fifth Semester (Spring)

15 Credits

course

Surgical Procedures I

6

course

Surgical Procedures II

6

course

Surgical Pharmacology

3

Sixth Semester (Summer)

8 Credits

course

Surgical Procedures III

3

course

Surgical Technology Internship & CST Exam Prep

3

course

Surgical Technology Capstone

2

Total Hours for A.A.S. Degree

63-69