Surgical Technology

Mission

The Malcolm X College Surgical Technology program prepares competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. This program is dedicated to providing Surgical Technology students the knowledge and skills required to provide quality patient care in an ever-changing healthcare environment.           

We are committed to graduating Surgical Technologists that exhibit the characteristics of moral integrity, honesty, surgical conscience, and a commitment to upholding the highest principles of aseptic technique.           

Occupational Overview

Surgical Technologists are allied health professionals who assist with surgical care of patients. They are experts in the area of aseptic technique, and they function under the direct supervision of the surgeon. Their job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, scrubbing, gowning and gloving self and surgical team, establishment of the sterile field, verification of instrument and miscellaneous counts and the maintenance of the sterile field and the sterility of personnel and supplies during the pre, intra and post operational phases of surgery.​ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Surgical-technologists.html                

Please check the Department of Labor for statistics on current wages and occupational outlook for this profession.        

        

In addition to healthcare facilities, Surgical Techs are eligible for roles in veterinary clinics, vein clinics, hair restoration clinics, management roles in Sterile Processing Departments, and as educators and administrators in academic settings as well.        

        

The Surgical Technol​ogy Program at Malcolm X College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)(www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).                    

 

          Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs           

          https://www.caahep.org/          

          9355 113th St N, #7709          

          Seminole, FL 33775          

          727-210-2350         

 

  

    

       

Malcolm X College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission         

230 South LaSalle, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
Phone: 1-800-621-7440
Fax: 312-263-7462
hlcommission.org
info@hlcommission.org
For questions regarding program status, please send an e-mail to MXCaccreditation@ccc.edu.        

        

Malcolm X College offers an associate’s level degree program in Surgical Technology that prepares students for jobs as entry level Surgical Technologists. Surgical technologists, work with and assist surgeons, nurses, and other members of the operating room team throughout a surgical procedure. The role of the surgical technologist is critical to ensuring infection prevention and avoiding retained foreign objects in surgical patients.        

        

The professional responsibilities of Surgical Technologists can be divided into three stages: before the surgical procedure (preoperative), during the surgical procedure (intraoperative), and after the surgical procedure (postoperative).         

      

According to the definition provided by the Association of Surgical Technologists, “The surgical technologist in the first scrub role handles the instruments, supplies, and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure. He/she has an understanding of the procedure being performed and anticipates the needs of the surgeon. He/she has the necessary knowledge and ability to ensure quality patient care during the operative procedure and is constantly on vigil for maintenance of the sterile ​field.”      

      

Preoperatively, surgical technologists focus on sterility and preparation. This includes:        

 

• Preparing the sterile instrumentation and the operating room​
• Gathering, counting, and setting up the surgical instrumentation, equipment, and supplies needed during the surgery
• Assisting with patient preparation for the procedure Intraoperatively, surgical technologists also have a variety of important responsibilities:
• Maintaining sterility within the sterile field
• Maintaining an accurate accounting of what instrumentation and supplies are within the sterile field
• Anticipating and passing surgical instrumentation to the surgeon and the surgical assistant

 

      

Postoperatively surgical technologists assist with wrapping up the procedure and are responsible for:         

• Reconciling the counts of surgical instrumentation and supplies used during the surgery
• Applying dressings to surgical wounds.
• Disposing of sharps and supplies
• Maintaining the sterile environment of the operating room until the patient is taken to the recovery room

      

Malcolm X College is the only City College in Chicago that offers the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology.        

Malcolm X College – Surgical Technology program provides a complete academic and clinical education for a career in Surgical Technology. The program is a five-semester, Associate of Applied Science degree. The clinical component requires students to be at least 18 years old, obtain certain immunizations and provide proof of immunity, submit a background check, and provide proof of health insurance or access to medical care. In addition, the clinical component requires students spend 24-32 hours per week as assigned at a clinical partner location. The clinical site assignment will be made by the clinical coordinator and program director according to the needs of the program and its clinical partner.        

      

    

• Complete program prerequisite courses: Surgical Technology program requires the Science classes (Bio 120, Bio 121 and Bio 226) to have been completed within 5 years at the time of application with a "C" or better.
• Apply to the college first, once accepted you will be allowed to apply to the Program through the Selective Admissions application.​
• ​​Submit official college transcripts.
• Calculate admissions cumulative GPA requirement for Surg Tech selective application is 2.5.
• Fall 2025 Cohort – Application opens January 2025 & Closes April 2025​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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