Surgical Technology

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(ARCSTSA)
19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite 339, Parker, CO 80138
Phone: (303) 694-9262
Email: info@arcstsa.org
www.arcstsa.org

Request Information
Sistina Taele
Selective Admission Specialist
Selective Admissions
Phone:
708-709-3517
Google Voice:
708-232-0960
staele2@prairiestate.edu
CAAHEP Logo
The Surgical Technology Program at Prairie State College is now accredited for an AAS degree. Instead of a certificate, students can now earn their associate degree in surgical technology.

General Overview

This program prepares students to work as surgical technologists in the operating room, labor and delivery, ambulatory surgical care centers, cardiac catheterization laboratories, physician’s offices or central supply units. Surgical technologists work under medical supervision to facilitate safe and effective performance of invasive surgical procedures aimed at optimizing patient safety. Graduates may sit for the Surgical Technologist national certification exam administered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

This program begins only in the Fall Semester and takes one year to complete. It is essentially a 40-hour per week day-time program which includes both classes and clinical labs. Clinicals will be held in hospital operating rooms with students working with a preceptor. Students must have their own transportation to travel to a hospital site within a 45-mile radius. Upon completion of the program, students will take the certification examination administered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). Student will not be reimbursed for travel or work completed at their assigned clinical site. The student cannot and will not be used as an employee. (Per ARC/STSA)

With an increasing demand for surgical technologists, opportunities are plentiful. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, surgical technology is one of the fastest growing professions; demand is expected to increase 43 percent in the next five to ten years. Many hospitals offer sign-on bonuses; on-call responsibility also carries a monetary perk.

Please note:This program has special admissions requirements. Contact the Office of Enrollment Services to obtain a copy of the Surgical Technology Application Procedures Booklet or download a copy online. Click here for the Online Intent Form.
Surgical Technology Program Outcomes
The pass rate on the Surgical Technology certification exam
2018 - 60%
2019 - 60%
2020 - 80%
2021 - 100%
2022 - 66%
Surgical Technology Program Completion

Number formally admitted each year: 16

Graduation Rate 2022 - 100%
Graduation Rate 2019 - 83%
Graduation Rate 2020 - 100%
Graduation Rate 2021 - 80%
Emp. Outcomes 2019- 40%
Emp. Outcomes 2020 - 100%
Emp. Outcomes 2021 - 80%

Career Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, surgical technologists jobs are projected to grow at the faster than-average rate of 9 percent through 2028. The median annual wage for surgical technologists is $47,486.

  • Operating rooms
  • Emergency rooms
  • Ambulatory surgical care centers
  • Labor and delivery
  • Cardiac catheterization laboratories
  • Physicians’ offices
  • Central supply units
  • Sales

The Surgical Technology program has an application deadline of June 1st. Students must be 18 years of age, complete placement testing, and submit transcripts and proof of high school diploma or GED by the application deadline. Contact the Enrollment Services Office for an application packet at (708) 709-3517 or visit Room 1160.

Degrees and Certificates

View the curriculum for each program in the current Academic Catalog. You can also access the entire catalog online. An archive of previous catalogs and addenda is also available.

Please visit Career Programs and Transfer Degrees, where you will find information describing the requirements needed to complete a degree or certificate.

Courses

A listing of course descriptions is available in the current Academic Catalog. For a listing of when courses are offered, consult the current course schedule or WebAdvisor.

 

New AAS Surgical Technology Program

Please note: This program has special admissions requirements. Contact Enrollment Services to obtain a copy of the Surgical Technology Information and Application Procedures booklet.

This program prepares students to work as surgical technologists in the operating room, labor and delivery, ambulatory surgical care centers, cardiac catheterization laboratories, physician’s offices, or central supply units. Surgical technologists work under medical supervision to facilitate safe and effective performance of invasive surgical procedures aimed at optimizing patient safety.

Curriculum

The program begins in the fall, and takes one year to complete. It is a 40-hour per week daytime program, which includes both classes and clinical labs. Clinicals are held in hospital operating rooms where students will work hands on with a preceptor. Students are responsible for their own transportation to hospital sites within a 45-mile radius.

The program meets national standards for surgical technology and has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduates may sit for the surgical technologist national certificate exam administrated by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

Gainful Employment Disclosure

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges with financial aid eligible programs that “prepares students for
gainful employment in a recognized occupation” to disclose certain information about these programs. For more
information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program, and other
important information related to the program, please visit our website at prairiestate.edu/ge. We hope that this
information is helpful in making informed choices about your education.

Accreditation Information

This program meets nationally established standards for Surgical Technology. It has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). 

ILL State Law 225 ILCS 46/25 regarding mandatory drug screen and background check. We must include statement that not passing one or both would prevent student from attending clinical portion of the program, thus, preventing them from graduating.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park St.
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
(ARCSTSA)
6 Dry Creek Circle
Littleton, CO  80120
Phone: (303) 694-9262
www.arcstsa.org

Program Requirements

All courses must be completed with a C grade or better

BIO 221  Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIO 222 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4
BIO 211 Microbiology 4
COMM 101 Principles of Communication
ENG 101 Composition 1 3
HLTH 102   Workplace Issues for Allied Health  1
HLTH 105 General Medical Terminology 3
HUMAN 101 Humanities and Fine Arts 3
PSYCH 102 Human Growth and Development: Life Span 3
SRT 102   Patient Care I  2
SRT 103   Patient Care II  1
SRT 110 Introduction to Surgical Technology  7
SRT 120   Surgical Procedures I   5
SRT 122   Applied Surgical Procedures I   1
SRT 130   Surgical Procedures II  6
SRT 132   Applied Surgical Procedures II  2
SRT 140   Surgical Procedures III  6
SRT 142   Applied Surgical Procedures III   2
SRT 298 Surg Tech Seminar 4
SRT 299 Appl Surg Procedures IV 2
students must complete NBSTSA exam
Program Total

66 Credits

Tuition & Fees

In-District Residents: $143.50 +$30.50 fee = $174 per credit hour x 66 credit hrs = $11,484
$ 75 per credit hour surcharge for Surg. Tech x 38 credit hours = $2850
Program Lab Fees = $785 TOTAL Tuition and Fees = $15,119

Additional Cost
$240 CST Exam and AST membership fees

Heather Pevion
Assistant Professor/Coordinator

708-709-3780


Monique Campbell
Assistant Professor/Clinical Coordinator

708 709-3713

 

Surgical Technology, Certificate and AAS
This program combines courses in general and surgical technology education with learning experiences in hospitals and health agencies. Graduates of the Associate in Applied Science Surgical Technology degree program may apply to take the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) national certification examination for certification. Students must complete BIOL 222,221,and 211 with a grade of C or better prior to admission into the surgical technology program. Students are also encouraged to complete as many general education courses as possible before enrolling in the Surgical Technology Program.

Please note: This program has special admissions requirements. Please contact Enrollment Services.

This program prepares students to work as surgical technologists in the operating room, labor and delivery, ambulatory surgical care centers, cardiac catheterization laboratories, physician’s offices, or central supply units. Surgical technologists work under medical supervision to facilitate safe and effective performance of invasive surgical procedures aimed at optimizing patient safety. This program meets nationally established standards for surgical technology. It has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

This program begins only in the fall semester and takes one year to complete. It is essentially a 40-hour per week, day-time program, which includes both classes and clinical labs. Clinicals will be held in hospital operating rooms with students working with a preceptor. Students must have their own transportation to travel to a hospital site within a 45-mile radius. Upon completion of the program, students will take the certification examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Learning Objectives (as approved by CAAHEP & ARC/STSA)
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the professional attributes of a beginning surgical technologist
  2. Utilize medical terminology correctly when communicating with other members of the surgical team
  3. Identify breaks in sterile techniques throughout all phases of the surgical procedure.
  4. Retrieve computer generated documents
  5. Utilize knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology throughout all phases of the surgical procedure
  6. Achieve eligibility to site for the National Certification Examination
  7. Perform the duties of a Surgical Technologist on routine minor and major surgical procedures with the skills and abilities of a safe beginning practitioner