Surgical technologists, also known as scrubs, surgical technicians, or operating room technicians, are allied health professionals who work as an integral part of the surgical care team. Surgical techs work under the supervision of surgeons to help ensure the safe and effective performance of surgical procedures.
Surgical tech responsibilities include:
- Using proper sterile technique to ensure the operating room is safe and organized
- Maintaining a sterile field
- Passing instruments and other sterile supplies to surgeons
- Counting instrumentation and supplies
- Preparing and applying sterile dressings
Surgical Technology courses teach students how to deliver excellent patient care and perform tasks that ensure a safe surgical environment. Coursework includes classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction.
Registration Information
Prospective students must follow specific admissions criteria before being admitted into the program and follow the admissions checklist located in the Surgical Technology Admission Packet:
First Step to Register – Attend an Advising Session
Determine Your Path
Surgical technologists are employed in hospital operating rooms, delivery rooms, cast rooms, emergency departments and clinics.
You want to attend a credible college that stands out from the rest. At COD, you'll discover:
- Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attention.
- Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
- Affordable programs to help students achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
- Instruction utilizing top-notch facilities and equipment in the Health and Science Center (HSC).
Surgical Technology, Associate in Applied Science
The Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science degree program introduces students to entry-level surgical technologist tasks.
The primary purpose of the Surgical Technology program is to prepare competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The graduate will demonstrate competency to meet national certification requirements, provide skills that meet standard in patient care, and function as an essential member of the health care and operating room team with knowledge and skilled competence.
Program Accreditation
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Outcomes Assessment Exam Results
Surgical Technology program graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam.
Class Success Rate by Year
2018
- Retention rate: 24 initially enrolled, 2 dropped= 91%
- CST Participation in Certification Exam: 22/22= 100%
- CST Pass Rate in Certification Exam (first time): 19/22= 86%
- Graduate Placement (in field, continuing education)= 19/22=86%
- Employer Survey Return Rate: 16/22 = 72%
- Employer Survey Satisfaction Rate: 16/16 = 100%
- Graduate Survey Return rate: 22/22 = 100%
- Graduate Survey Satisfaction Rate: 22/22 = 100%
2017
- Retention rate: 26 enrolled, 2 dropped= 92 %
- CST Participation in Certification Exam: 24/24= 100%
- CST Pass Rate in Certification Exam (first time): 21/24= 87%
- Graduate Placement (in field, continuing education)= 21/24=87%
- Employer Survey Return Rate: 15/20 = 75%
- Employer Survey Satisfaction Rate: 15/15 = 100%
- Graduate Survey Return Rate: 24/24 = 100%
- Graduate Survey Satisfaction Rate: 24/24 = 100%
2016
- Retention rate: 30 enrolled, 4 dropped = 86%
- CST Participation in Certification Exam: 26/26=100%
- CST Pass Rate in Certification Exam (first time): 25/26=96%
- Graduate Placement (in field, continuing education) = 24/26=92%
- Employer Survey Return rate=12/23=52%
- Employer Survey Satisfaction rate=12/12=100%
- Graduate Survey Return rate=14/26=53%
- Graduate Survey Satisfaction rate= 14/14=100%
2015
- Retention rate: 25 enrolled, 5 dropped; 20/25= 80%
- CST Participation in Certification Exam: 20/20=100%
- CST Pass Rate in Certification Exam (first time): 19/20=95%
- Graduate Placement (in field, continuing education) = 15/20=75%
- Employer Survey Return rate=10/14=71%
- Employer Survey Satisfaction rate=10/10=100%
- Graduate Survey Return rate=20/20=100%
- Graduate Survey Satisfaction rate= 20/20=100%
Tour the Surgical Technology Labs
Watch a video to hear what you could learn inside the Surgical Technology labs and classrooms.
COD Stories
"College of DuPage is an excellent college and will help you achieve your goals. Thanks to the career that I chose at COD, I have accomplished dreams that I thought I would never reach." - Victor Barron
Victor's COD StoryCOD Stories
"The Surgical Technology program itself is very structured, but it was helpful being able to complete all my other pre-reqs around my schedule to get into the program." - Ali Paquette
Ali's COD StoryCOD Stories
"If you want to help people in an awesome way, being a surgical technologist is a great career. You help patients in a unique way that is very rewarding, and you are a key to a successful team." - Ryan Carr
Ryan's COD StoryCOD Stories
"The Surgical Technology program at COD is very good at giving you the training, since we did class work along with lab work to prepare you for that first day in the operating room.” - Keri Dorushka
Keri's COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in the Surgical Technology program is to read the Surgical Technology Admission Packet. The packet contains an admissions checklist that you will need to follow in order to register.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Surgical Technology Program graduates will:
- Correlate the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology to their role as a Surgical Technologist.
- Demonstrate a safe and professional level of practice and knowledge in their role as a Surgical Technologist.
- Acquire an understanding of the ethical, legal, moral, and medical values related to the patient and the surgical team during the perioperative experience.
- Correlate the elements, action, and use of medications and anesthetic agents used during the perioperative experience
- Implement safe practice techniques in regards to perioperative routines, patient transportation, positioning, and emergency procedures.
- Integrate principles of surgical asepsis as part of the perioperative experience.
- Accurately apply knowledge and skills of a professional Surgical Technologist to address the biopsychosocial needs of the surgical patient.
- Perform proficiently and competently as an entry-level surgical technologist in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains
- Value the professional attributes of the Surgical Technologist
College of DuPage has several surgical technology transfer agreements in place with four-year colleges and universities to save you time, money and make the transfer process easier.
Many of these agreements with other colleges and universities have specific course requirements and a pre-determined course plan that needs to be followed to be eligible to transfer. Contact a program faculty member or academic advisor to learn more as course requirements vary by institution.
The Career Ready Podcast
Listen to the Career Read Podcast to learn about career possibilities within surgical technology along with skills needed to succeed in the profession.Career Information
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