In the Associate in Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology, students will learn to professionally carry out common operating room procedures and handle high-pressure situations as a valuable member of a surgical team. Students will be trained in four focused skills areas of surgical technology: preparing operating rooms, assisting surgeons during surgery, sterilization techniques, and compassionate patient care. In as few as 21 months, students can earn a Surgical Technologist associate degree, which provides hands-on training in our virtual surgical suite, surgical labs, and clinical affiliated hospitals, to help prepare students for a fulfilling career.

Accreditation

The Surgical Technology Program at Malcom X College had an initial site visit on April 10th and 11th, 2023 for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org​). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.   

Institutional Program accreditation status can be found at: www.hlcommission.org

https://www.caahep.org/Students/Find-a-Program.aspx

Program Goals

Our goal is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

We are dedicated to provide comprehensive curricula, supportive services, and promote cultural and global awareness in an inclusive learning environment.

Occupational Overview

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. The surgical technologist works under medical supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual works under the supervision of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room or environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. A surgical technologist possesses expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

The Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology describes the Surgical Technologists as:

“… Possess[ing] expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combines the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures."

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Coursework
ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
BIOLOGY 121	Biology I	5
SOC 201	Intro To the Study Of Society	3
General Education Mathematics Course (MATH 118 recommended)		3
BIOLOGY 226	Human Structure and Function I	4
BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function II	4
Required Program Core
BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers	3
MCROBIO 233	General Microbiology	4
SURG TC 111	Intro To Surgical Technology	2
SURG TC 112	Principles & Practice for STs	3
SURG TC 113	Surgical Procedures I	4
SURG TC 114	Applied Surgical Procedures	4
SURG TC 116	Surgical Procedures II	3
SURG TC 118	Applied Surgical Procedures II	3
SURG TC 210	Surgical Procedures III	4
SURG TC 215	Career Readiness for STs	3
Required Work-Based Learning Courses
SURG TC 212	Clinical Experience I	5
SURG TC 213	Clinical Experience II	9
Total Hours		69

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in earning an Associate in Applied Science in Surgical Technology. If this pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS). It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers 1	3
BIOLOGY 121	Biology I 1	5
MATH 118	General Education Math (or other General Education Mathematics course) 1	3-4
	Hours	11-12
Semester 2
BIOLOGY 226	Human Structure and Function I 1	4
	Hours	4
Semester 3
BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function II	4
ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
SURG TC 111	Intro To Surgical Technology	2
SURG TC 112	Principles & Practice for STs	3
	Hours	12
Semester 4
MCROBIO 233	General Microbiology	4
SURG TC 113	Surgical Procedures I	4
SURG TC 114	Applied Surgical Procedures	4
	Hours	12
Semester 5
SURG TC 116	Surgical Procedures II	3
SURG TC 118	Applied Surgical Procedures II	3
	Hours	6
Semester 6
SOC 201	Intro To the Study Of Society	3
SURG TC 210	Surgical Procedures III	4
SURG TC 212	Clinical Experience I	5
	Hours	12
Semester 7
SURG TC 213	Clinical Experience II	9
SURG TC 215	Career Readiness for STs	3
	Hours	12
	Total Hours	69-70

¹

Program prerequisite to be completed prior to application for the Surgical Technology program.

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Program Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Be admitted to Malcolm X College
2. Be at least 18 years of age
3. Completion of prerequisite courses must not be more than five years old and all prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. These courses are as follows:     

   Course List

   Code	Title	Hours
   Any college level Mathematics course (MATH 118 recommended)		3-4
   BIOLOGY 120	Terminology For Medical Careers	3
   BIOLOGY 121	Biology I	5
   BIOLOGY 226	Human Structure and Function I	4

4. Provide Malcolm X College with official college transcripts for any previous course work.
5. Have a minimum 2.5 College GPA
6. Complete the Program Admissions Application

7. All students are required to undergo a criminal background check. Students with a positive background check that contains disqualifying convictions may be prohibited from being placed at a clinical site, sitting for certification board examinations, and securing future employment. Students are responsible for the cost of performing the background check. The program’s Clinical Coordinator will provide instructions to obtain the Background Check at the New Student Orientation session.    
   
   Students with a positive background check that contains convictions may be allowed to enter into the program, however, some convictions may prohibit them from entering the clinical site. These students will be unable to participate in the clinical externship course (resulting in a failing grade), sitting for certification board examinations, and securing future employment. Students with convictions are strongly encouraged to work to have any convictions expunged prior to entering the program. Students are responsible for the cost of performing the background check. The program’s Clinical Coordinator will provide instructions to obtain the Background Check at the New Student Orientation session.    

   As defined by Illinois State Law (225ILCS46/25): 

• All healthcare workers and student health care workers are required to undergo a criminal background check in order to work in a clinical setting.  A student with a positive background check containing disqualifying conditions will not be allowed to enter the clinical portion of this program, thus preventing the student from obtaining mandated certification and/or licensure in Sterile Processing. Please contact the Program Director to discuss disqualifiers. The applicant is responsible for the cost of the background clearance. Prior to clinical placement, the student will be required to provide a cleared drug screen at their own cost.         

8. Attend a consultation with members of the Surgical Technology program's staff and/or advisory board before acceptance into the program.    
9. All college transcripts from colleges/universities attended outside City Colleges of Chicago are required to be sent to Malcolm X College Office of Registrar Services or mxregistrar@ccc.edu from the specific college/university. We do not have access to transcripts submitted to other City Colleges of Chicago.

 For more information about admissions requirements and the application process, visit the program website.

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Surgical Technologists

Job Description

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$43,710
Median 50th Percentile	$54,523
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$70,518

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$21
Median 50th Percentile	$26
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$34

Annual Job Openings

98 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program	% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less	4.98%
A certificate	31.22%
Some college	23.24%
An Associate degree	40.56%
A Bachelor's degree	0.00%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

0.00% continue their education beyond an associate degree