Regional Surgical Technology Program
As a Surgical Technologist, you will participate during the surgical procedure as an integral member of the surgical team. The surgical technologist works closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel in delivery of patient care.
General Description:
The Surgical Technology Certificate/Degree program at Richland
Community College is a regional program with Heartland, Lakeland,
and Lincoln Land Community Colleges and is accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The Surgical Technology program prepares students for entry level to assist with
patient care and related services in delivery rooms, surgery centers,
and other settings that call for knowledge of asepsis by performing
tasks that help to ensure safe surgical procedures. Some of those
tasks include preparing all supplies, instruments, and equipment
for operative procedures; passing instruments to the surgeon;
and understanding of aseptic technique.
The program provides classroom instruction, laboratory, and actual clinical experiences. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will receive a Certificate/Degree of Completion and become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) upon passing the National Certification Examination.
Aptitudes:
Surgical Technology is a demanding, challenging, and satisfying profession. It requires clinical expertise, academic knowledge, thinking skills, physical stamina, and personal integrity. Students must be physically and mentally capable of lifting supplies and instrument trays, moving heavy equipment, and lifting and moving patients. Physical stamina is required to be able to stand for long periods of time, and the student must be able to work in a confined, stressful environment. The student must possess adequate visual, hearing, and verbal communication skills. Due to the physical constraints of the profession, students who are admitted to the program are required to submit a health record certifying these abilities. Additionally, students must have the ability to pay close attention to detail, be conscientious, orderly, and emotionally stable, and be willing to continue their education throughout their career to keep abreast of new developments in the field.
Job Outlook:
The Surgical Technology profession is expected to grow faster than the average to the year 2014. The current salary for new graduates ranges from $11-$13 per hour. With successful completion of the certification examination, the salary may increase. In addition, several health care providers may offer sign-on bonuses.
Check the Occupational Outlook Handbook for the most current information.
This is an occupational training program. Some of the courses may not transfer to four-year institutions.
For further career information, please visit the following Web sites:
- Association of Surgical Technologists
- Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology
- The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
Admission:
Applications to Richland's Regional Surgical Technology Program
are available in S162 and are due by March 1. Late applications
will be accepted until class enrollment is filled. Students who
apply by March 1 will be informed by letter of the action taken
on their application by April 15. A new surgical technology class
will begin Fall Semester of each year.
Admission to Richland Community College does not guarantee admission to the Surgical Technology program. The applicant must meet or exceed the minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the Surgical Technology program.
Students who are admitted to this program may take general education courses at their local college. The classroom Surgical Technology courses will be offered at Richland Community College. While enrolled at Richland Community College, the students will become in-district students. They will pay the current tuition rate and follow the same procedures regarding student services as in-district students.
For admission to the Surgical Technology Program, progression within the program, and graduation from the program, students must earn a grade of "C" or better in the program prerequisite, core courses, and general education courses. Students must also maintain a program GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 grading scale.
Program GPA is calculated based on the following:
- Prerequisite course(s) as required by the program (e.g., Biology 101 at Richland)
- All general education courses required by the program
- All core courses (Surgical Technology courses)
For additional clarification, please refer to the Academic Information and Regulations section of the Richland Community College Catalog.
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must:
- Be one of the following:
- High school senior,
- High school graduate,
- G.E.D. graduate.
- Meet criteria in each of the following areas:
- Academic Background
- A 2.5 or better program GPA in college and/or high school courses
- Biology
- Be eligible for Biol. 220 (Microbiology) during the program's first semester
- High school students who graduate in the current year may take Biol. 101 in the junior or senior year of high school, as permitted by the College policy
- Revised PSB-Health Occupations Aptitude Test
- Pass test with a combined score of 50% or above.
- Academic Background
Admission Process:
- Send the following to the College Admissions Office:
- Completed Admission Information Form to Richland Community College
- Copy of high school transcript or G.E.D. certificate
- Official college transcript(s) for previous college work
- (High school and college records from other institutions and Richland Community College academic records from earlier admissions [5 or more years ago] may be excluded from the evaluation by submitting a written request to the Surgical Technology Director.)
- Attend an informational session and recieve information about the program.
- Submit an "Admission Information Form to Surgical Technology" by March 1. Applications submitted after March 1 may be considered. Applications are available in S162.
- Student selection is determined by:
- Successful completion of admission requirements
- Program GPA
Students may be conditionally accepted until admission criteria
are completed.
Priority will be given to students who have completed the required
general education courses. The final course in the sequence of
Biol. 201, 202, and 220 must have been completed within the past
five years. (Exceptions must be approved by the program Director.)
Applicants who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements and are not admitted because of lack of space shall be placed on a list for alternate admission. If a slot becomes available, students on the alternate list will be called based on their placement on the selection list. If an applicant is not admitted as an alternate for the current year, their admission application materials will be kept for one academic year. After one year, a new application form must be submitted. Consideration will be given to these applicants, but no guarantee of admission can be made.
Upon Acceptance:
Students who are admitted to the program must (a) return the acceptance form to the Health Sciences office or Surgical Technology Director, (b) arrange a personal interview with the Surgical Technology Director, (c) submit to the Allied Health Director a completed Richland Health Record and proof of valid immunizations and/or immunity to certain diseases, (d) submit a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider CPR certification card.
Certification Examination:
Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a Certificate/Degree of Completion. Graduates are then eligible to apply and take the National Certifying Examination given by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). After successfully passing this examination, the graduate becomes a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).
Proficiency Examinations:
Surgical Technology students may take a proficiency examination for Hlth 140, Biol 101, 201, 202, and 220 with the approval of the Academic Director/Dean of the respective Divisions. Students who took science courses more than five years ago may take a proficiency examination with the approval of the Academic Director/Dean of the respective Divisions and after completing eight semester hours of credit at Richland. Students must meet the standards of the particular division to earn credit by proficiency. Students can refer to the Richland Community College Catalog for information on the fee for proficiency examinations.
Total Estimated Cost:
$7,793 (Certificate) / $7,993 (A.A.S.)
Estimated cost includes tuition and fees (regional partner fees may vary), books, lab uniforms, graduation fees, program packets, dues and exam fees, and supplies. Additional costs may include travel to clinical sites and campuses as well as the cost of meals. Clinical sites may include:
- St. Mary's Hospital - Decatur, IL
- Decatur Memorial Hospital - Decatur, IL
- St. John's Hospital - Springfield, IL
- Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System - Mattoon, IL
- Memorial Medical Center - Springfield, IL
- Central Illinois Surgery Center - Decatur, IL
- Decatur Health Care, LLC. - Decatur, IL
Financial Aid:
Students who would like to be considered for financial aid, including scholarships, must apply for financial aid by April 30.
Description of Regional Program:
The Surgical Technology Program was designed to serve students from the following community college districts:
|
Heartland Community College |
|
Lake Land Community College |
|
Lincoln Land Community College |
|
Richland Community College
(host college for the program) |
Students who are admitted to this program may take the general education courses at their local college. Both the classroom and clinical Surgical Technology courses will be offered at Richland Community College.
While enrolled at Richland, the students will become in-district students. They will pay the current tuition rate and follow the same procedures regarding student services as in-district students.
Upon successful completion of the program, the students will receive a Certificate/Degree from Richland Community College.
Application Dates:
Students applying for admission in Fall must submit applications during the period of October 1 - February 1.
Students will be notified the first week of April. Applications will be accepted until all slots are filled (August 1).
Taking the Revised PSB-Health Occupations
Aptitude Test at RCC:
The test will be administered by appointment at the student's request during Assessment Services regular hours.
All students testing must show an ID with photograph for admission to the testing area.
A fee of $15.00 must be paid in the Business Office before admission to the test area is allowed. (Fee subject to change)
A paid receipt must be submitted to the Test Monitor before taking the test.
Students must meet all admission requirements before taking the aptitude test.
For further information, contact the Student Learning Center, (217) 875-7211, ext. 309.
Course Sequence:
| Certificate--Surgical Technology (48 Credit Hours) | |||||||
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Prerequisite Courses: Biol. 220: Microbiology Required Courses: Biol. 201: Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Biol. 202: Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 Hlth. 140: Medical Terminology Surg. T. 100: Orientation to Surgical Technology Surg. T. 101: Surgical Technology I Surg. T. 102: Surgical Technology II Surg. T. 201: Surgical Technology III Surg. T. 202: Work Experience Program |
Cr. Hrs. 4 Cr. Hrs. 4 4 3 2 6 7 13 9 |
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Associate in Applied Science Degree (61-62 Credit Hours) The A.A.S. is earned by taking all the courses in the Certificate plus the following: |
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Engl.
101: Composition 1 Psych. 110: Introduction to Psychology Electives (RCC Biol. 101 may be used.) |
3 3 3-4 |
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| Note: Students must receive a minimum grade of "C" in each course to remain in the program. | |||||||
| Suggested full-time class schedule: | |||||||
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*For Associate in Applied Science degree only. |
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For Further Information:
For an admission application or additional
information contact the Health Sciences Office at Richland Community College,
Room
S162, or (217) 875-7211, Ext. 450 or 750.
You may also contact the Surgical Technology Program Director, Katherine B. Lee CST, MS, in Room S173, (217) 875-7211, Ext. 763, <klee@richland.edu>, or link to Katherine Lee's page.
Alternatively, you may contact Surgical Technology Instructors, Mary Donovan, CST, BS, in Room S174, (217) 875-7211, Ext. 754, e-mail <mdonovan@richland.edu>, or Deron Kimball, CST, BS, in Room S225, (217) 875-7211, Ext. 756, e-mail <jkimball@richland.edu>.