four surgical tech students, watching how to put gloves on

Surgical Technology

Why Become a Surgical Technologist?

  • Work with surgical tools and assist surgeons during surgery
  • Median IL Salary $51,850
  • Classroom, clinical, and lab experience
  • Become a master of a broad range of skills related to
    surgical procedures, aseptic technique and patient care.
  • Acquire a nationally recognized certificate and get hired

In this shared program with Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, students are trained to utilize the latest surgical techniques and equipment, and become proficient in maintaining a sterile field before, during, and after surgical procedures. Current surgical technologists direct classroom, clinical, and lab experiences to prepare students as valuable team members, working closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other surgical personnel. Upon completion of the applied associate degree, graduates are required to take the Surgical Technology National Certification Exam administered by the National Board of Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistants (NBSTSA). This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHP). Program outcome certification pass rate 2021-2022 cohort 47%.

Logo for the Path Grant - Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce

The PATH program, funded through an Illinois Community College Board grant, aims to serve, create, support and expand the opportunities for individuals in nursing and select health care pathways to obtain certificates and degrees, allowing them to enter and/or advance their careers in the health care industry.

The PATH grant provides free short-term and long-term education/training programs designed to help participants gain employment in high-wage and in-demand occupations within the health care field. Students receive supports, including compensation to help cover basic costs while receiving the training.

More information on the PATH Program

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Career Opportunities

  • Certified Surgical Technologist
  • Surgeon’s Scrub/ Scribe
  • Organ Procurement Team
  • Surgical Equipment Sales Representative
  • Sterile Processing Manager
  • Traveling Surgical Technologist
Suggested Degree Plan for Surgical Technology (AAS)
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
General Education Requirements Details
BIO 101 General Biology Details 4
An introductory biology course that covers a breadth of biological concepts including biochemical pathways, molecular and cellular biology, the structure and function of organisms, genetics and heredity, evolution, ecology, and the importance of life science to society. In the laboratory setting, emphasis will be placed on utilizing the scientific process to arrive at evidence-based conclusions. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours; IAI: L1 900L.
Prerequisites: MAT 010 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, or appropriate placement test score, or consent of department. Consent of JWCC Natural Sciences Department Chair is dependent upon the requesting student successfully passing an assessment (placement) exam for the particular prerequisite course. A passing BIO 101 placement exam score is 78 percent or above to opt out of the BIO 101 requirement. Otherwise, the student requesting acceptance into a course without completion of prerequisites must provide substantiated documentation of equivalent transfer credit to enroll in the course.
BIO 275 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Details 4
A study of the structures and functions of the human body; an integrated study of the systems of the human body including gross and microscopic structures and their physiology. Course covers cells, tissues, chemistry of life, metabolism and the systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, digestive and urinary. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: BIO 101 with a grade of "C" or above or ACT science score of 25 or higher or consent of department via a minimum BIO 101 placement exam score. Prerequisite must be met within 10 years prior to enrolling in BIO 275. Consent of JWCC Natural Sciences Department Chair is dependent upon the requesting student successfully passing an assessment (placement) exam for the particular prerequisite course. A passing BIO 101 placement exam score is 78 percent or above to opt out of the BIO 101 requirement. Otherwise, the student requesting acceptance into a course without completion of prerequisites must provide substantiated documentation of equivalent transfer credit to enroll in the course.
BIO 276 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Details 4
A continuation of BIO 275. Emphasis is on more depth in the physiology of various body systems including the central and peripheral nervous systems, sensory organs, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, male and female reproductive and human development. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: BIO 275 with a grade of "C" or above or consent of department
BIO 293 Microbiology Details 4
Introduces characteristics, actions and control of microorganisms with emphasis on their relation to health and disease. The application of the principles of microbial control and laboratory techniques will be stressed. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: BIO 101 with a grade of "C" or above or ACT science score of 25 or higher or consent of department via a minimum BIO 101 placement exam score. Consent of JWCC Natural Sciences Department Chair is dependent upon the requesting student successfully passing an assessment (placement) exam for the particular prerequisite course. A passing BIO 101 placement exam score is 78 percent or above to opt out of the BIO 101 requirement. Otherwise, the student requesting acceptance into a course without completion of prerequisites must provide substantiated documentation of equivalent transfer credit to enroll in the course.
Various CMN 101 / ENG 101 Details 3
Choose CMN 101 or ENG 101
CMN 101 Introduction to Speech I Details 3
An introduction to the basic principles of oral communication as applied to public speaking. The course emphasizes the mastery of oral communication skills through a variety of exercises in which the student speaks before the group. Involves analysis of such topics as preparation, organization, and delivery. IAI: C2 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
ENG 101 Rhetoric and Composition I Details 3
An introductory course in writing at the college level with attention to skills needed at each stage of the writing process. Placement in ENG 101 presupposes competence in English grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling. IAI: C1 900.
Prerequisites: ENG 099 with a grade of "C" or above or appropriate placement score
Various CMN 101 / CMN 104 Details 3
Choose CMN 101 or CMN 104.
CMN 101 Introduction to Speech I Details 3
An introduction to the basic principles of oral communication as applied to public speaking. The course emphasizes the mastery of oral communication skills through a variety of exercises in which the student speaks before the group. Involves analysis of such topics as preparation, organization, and delivery. IAI: C2 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
CMN 104 Interpersonal Communication Details 3
An introduction to the basic theories and concepts relevant to face-to-face interaction. Emphasis is placed on the role of communication in the creation, maintenance, and termination of social, romantic, familial, and professional relationships. IAI: MC 901
Prerequisites: (none)
CSC 106 Introduction to Computers Details 3
An introductory course in which students learn basic terminology, equipment, history, various software including operating system and application software, and the impact of the computer in society. Includes "hands-on" experience. Satisfies JWCC computer literacy requirement. (Same as AGR 175)
Prerequisites: (none)
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various MAT Gen. Ed. Requirements (AAS) Details 3
AAS degree-seeking students must select at least one course from the listed classes.
MAT 100 Technical Mathematics Details 3
A course designed to cover mathematical processes and problems that relate to career, technical and workforce applications. Specific topics include fractions; decimals, ratio, proportion and percentage; measurements; and area and volume.
Prerequisites: (none)
MAT 109 Elementary Statistics Details 3
A study of the collection and interpretation of statistical data. Specific topics include description of sample data, probability, probability distributions, sampling, estimation, testing hypotheses, correlation, and regression. IAI: M1 902.
Prerequisites: MAT 020 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 113 College Algebra Details 3
This course is intended for students who plan to continue their college mathematics education or to meet college transfer requirements. Topics include advanced factoring of higher order polynomials; solving quadratic inequalities; advanced topics in relations, functions and their graphs; zeroes and graphs of polynomial and rational functions; and exponential and logarithmic functions.
Prerequisites: MAT 020 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 114 Trigonometry Details 3
This course is intended for students who plan to continue their college mathematics education or to meet college transfer requirements. It is the study and analysis of the sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent function; show these functions are used to solve many types of problems involving the sides and angles of triangles; and how these functions are used to solve many types of problems involving cyclic patterns, some that vary with time. Topics include definitions, properties and manipulation of trigonometric functions; applications of trigonometric functions; analytic trigonometry; trigonometric form of complex numbers; and polar coordinates, equations and graphs.
Prerequisites: MAT 020 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I Details 4
A course designed to introduce the concepts of derivative and integral to the student interested in pursuing degrees related to engineering, science or mathematics. Specific topics include functions and graphs; slopes and rates of change; limit theory and continuous functions; formal differentiation; application of differentiation; integration; and applications of integration. IAI: M1 900-1, MTH 901.
Prerequisites: MAT 113 and MAT 114 with grades of "C" or above within one academic year, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
MAT 234 Calculus for Social Scientists Details 4
A course designed to introduce the business and social science student to the concepts of derivative and integral. Applications of these concepts stress the use of calculus to solve business and social science problems. Specific topics include relations and functions; algebraic functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; derivatives; applications of derivatives; advanced derivative techniques; integrals; advanced integration techniques. IAI: M1 900B.
Prerequisites: MAT 113 with a grade of "C" or above within one academic year, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
OFT 281 Medical Terminology Details 3
Teaches medical language of prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms. Students will learn to pronounce and spell medical terms and also learn how to combine prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms to describe a medical term. Course utilizes a body system approach focusing upon specific body systems and providing a brief overview of anatomy and physiology, pathology, word roots, related terms, and special procedures with emphasis on building a working medical vocabulary based on body systems.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various PHL 111 / PHL 121 Details 3
Choose PHL 111 or PHL 121
PHL 111 Introduction to Critical Thinking Details 3
This course covers inductive and deductive methods in logic. It is designed to assist students in methods of logical analysis and reasoning. IAI: H4 906.
Prerequisites: (none)
PHL 121 Ethics Details 3
A study of values. This course is designed to assist students in the development of a philosophic understanding of human nature, moral philosophy, and principles of ethics that will help them assume individualized responsibility in a democratic society. IAI: H4 904.
Prerequisites: (none)
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology Details 3
Basic introduction to the major areas of psychology--the study of behavior and the mind. Areas of emphasis include human development, personality theory, learning, thinking, stress and motivation, mental illnesses, and biological and social aspects of behavior. Course will combine research with real life application throughout. IAI: S6 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various Electives Details 1
Any credit-based course may be taken to fulfill this requirement. Students should always discuss with their advisor which electives would be best for them to take to best achieve his or her particular goals.
Prerequisites: Varies by course
Fall Details
SUR 200 Professional Issues for the Surgical Technologist Details 1
This course encompasses professional, self, and workplace management skills for the surgical technologist. Credentialing, communication, professionalism, affective behaviors, standards of conduct, employability skills, hospital organization, the surgical environment, and the scope of practice are included.
Prerequisites: (none)
SUR 210 Introduction to Surgical Technology Details 8
This course introduces the learner to the basic skills and concepts necessary to build a knowledge base for surgical technology. Emphasis is placed on the surgical team and the role of the surgical technologist, asepsis, sterile technique, preparing the patient for surgery and providing a safe surgical environment. Also included are wound closure, hemostasis, surgical pharmacology, instrumentation, and surgical routines and emergencies. Lab and clinical components are included to provide hands-on experiences. 5 lecture hours, 6 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Spring Details
SUR 220 Surgical Technology I Details 9
This course is designed to provide not only instruction regarding specific surgical procedures, but also to provide actual surgical experience in the operating room. Emphasis is on the role of the surgical technologist in preparing for and participating in general surgeries, minimal access surgeries, obstetric and gynecologic surgery, neurosurgery, peripheral vascular surgical procedures and cardiothoracic surgical procedures. Hands-on experience will be provided at surrounding area hospitals and surgical clinics to allow the student to perfect the skills learned in the classroom and laboratory. 3 lecture hours, 24 clinical hours.
Prerequisites: SUR 110
SUR 214 Surgical Pharmacology Details 2
This course is designed to enhance pharmacology information the student has already covered in prior coursework. It will further prepare the surgical technologist to safely handle those medications required for surgical cases. The emphasis is on reviewing drug sources, forms, actions and effects, routes of administration, classifications, and names; a more in-depth review of math, units of measures and conversions, drug handling techniques, and commonly used medications in the operating room. Methods and techniques of anesthetic administration are also included.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Surgical Technology AAS Degree
Summer Details
SUR 240 Surgical Technology II Details 9
This course is designed to provide the student with the instruction and actual hands-on clinical experience in the operating room for specialty surgeries. The emphasis is placed on the role of the surgical technologist in preparing for and participating in surgeries relating to urogenital procedures, orthopedic procedures, eye procedures, ear, nose throat, and mouth procedures, and plastics and reconstructive surgery. Clinical experience will be provided at surrounding area hospitals and surgical clinics. 3 lecture hours, 24 clinical hours.
Prerequisites: SUR 120
NOTE: Only students who do not need additional coursework and who take the number of credits or courses as listed each semester can complete the program in the time given. Others will take longer to complete. Course descriptions may contain IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) codes containing information for students transferring their credits to another Illinois higher learning institution. See itransfer.org or the JWCC course catalog for more information on IAI.