JOB DESCRIPTION
The mission of Southwestern Illinois College’s Medical Surgical Technology program is to prepare entry-level Surgical Technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
The curriculum instills and enhances the intellectual, psychomotor, and affective qualities of students giving them the basics skills necessary to successfully complete the program and graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree, pass the certification exam, and obtain employment in the profession as an entry-level Surgical Technologist. Through a system that assesses the performance and progress of each student during the pursuit of his/her professional development, the program ensures that its students learn what the profession requires of Surgical Technologist as it relates to clinical competency, communication, problem solving and professional development.
Medical Surgical Technologist:
- Communicate professionally, empathically, and in a culturally-competent manner to enhance the healthcare setting via oral, written, and electronic means.
- Demonstrate critical thinking during peri-operative and emergency processes and procedures.
- Administer surgical technology care in an ethical, legal, safe and effective manner in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Demonstrate responsibility for professional self-development and lifelong learning within the healthcare profession.
Areas of work
- General surgery
- Orthopedics surgery
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Colon and rectal surgery
- Gynecology and obstetrics surgery
- Gynecologic oncology
- Neurologic surgery
- Ophthalmic surgery
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Plastic surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Podiatry surgery
- Transplant recovery
CAREER RESOURCES
The Association of Surgical Technologist web site provides surgical technologist resources for students.
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook provides additional information.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST WORK IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS, INCLUDING:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient surgery centers
- Privately-owned surgical departments/doctor’s office
- Organ procurement
SALARY
AVERAGE STARTING SALARY
The median annual full-time starting salary for a Certified Surgical Technologist is $23.32 per hour or $48,510 per year. (Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook May of 2021).