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Gainful Employment Program Requirements

Program overview

Program goal

Work and employment

Admission to the program

Admission policies

Admission procedures

Criminal background check and drug testing

Standard for progression in the program

Course Descriptions

Certificate – 40 credits
Program contact: Division of Allied Health, (815) 921-3200 or program coordinator, (815) 921-3205.

Gainful Employment Program Requirements

Program overview

Surgical technologists prepare the operating room and equipment used for surgery, assist in preparing patients for surgery, are responsible for creating and maintaining the sterile environment in the operating room, and assist in other aspects of the procedure. The program, featuring classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences, prepares students to assume an important role with surgical teams at entry level.

Program Goal

The Rock Valley College Surgical Technology Program was developed for the purpose "of preparing competent entry-level surgical technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains"; to meet the need of health care providers in the North Central Illinois region. Upon completion of the Rock Valley College Surgical Technology Program, students are prepared to assist with delivering patient care and related services before, during and after surgery. The Surgical Technologist is an integral member of the surgical team and works under the direct supervision of the surgeon along with the anesthesiology provider, registered nurses, and other surgical technologists. The Surgical Technologist has primary responsibility for maintaining the sterile field and ensures that all members of the surgical team adhere to aseptic technique. The Surgical Technologist maintains competence through certification with continuing education and lifelong learning.

Work and employment

Graduates are employed in hospital operating rooms, delivery rooms, emergency departments, ambulatory surgical centers, travel agencies (as traveling CST), physician offices, dental offices, and central sterilizing departments. With additional specialized educational and training, graduates can become Surgical Assistants, Program Directors, Instructors, and Surgical/Medical Sales Representatives.

Professional credential and program accreditation

Graduates are eligible to become Certified Surgical Technologists (CST). Students in their last semester of the program will sit for the National Certification Examination through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) prior to graduation.  The program is governed by the Association of Surgical Technology (AST) and is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP).

Admission to the program

Admission is selective and competitive.  The Grade Point Average (GPA) from any College where a (prerequisite) course is used to fulfill the program requirements will be combined and averaged for an Overall GPA.  The Overall GPA and strength in the sciences is of great consideration in the selection process.  Healthcare experience considered but is not required.

Core Curriculum developed by the Association of Surgical Technology (AST 6th edition).

Enrollment Capacity 20

Admissions policies

Requirements for application and admission:

1. A graduate of a recognized or accredited secondary school at the time of enrollment or complete the GED as required by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

2. Admission to Rock Valley College according to college policies governing full-time students.

3. Chemistry requirement: One semester of college level chemistry (with a lab). At RVC it would be CHM-105 or 110 (recommended) or higher level.   BIO-185 and BIO-274 requires BIO-100 and Chemistry-105 or higher, with minimum grades of 'C', be taken within the last 5 years.  Other colleges’ Biology course prerequisites may be different than RVC.

4. Math requirement: Minimum Math requirement for the Surgical Technology program is MTH-092, Beginning Algebra, at the college level.   To meet chemistry’s prerequisite at RVC MTH-094 or higher level math with a minimum grade of 'C' is required.  Other colleges’ Math course prerequisites may be different than RVC.

5. Grade Point Average: A minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required of all college course work completed for college credit. Program admission is limited, therefore is selective and very competitive.

6. Concurrent hospital clinical practice also necessitates that students meet the following requirements:
            a. Be in good health as certified by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, and complete in full the medical examination and immunization form provided.
            b. Possibly submit to further laboratory tests as requested.
            c. Have current Adult, Infant & Child CPR certification
            d. Have personal health insurance
            e. meet the Essential Abilities Standards of Performance

7. Students must be admitted to Rock Valley College and math and chemistry must be completed to be reviewed for admission to the program. All General Education Course Requirements must be completed, with a minimum grade of ‘C’, before enrollment in the Surgical Technology (SRG) program courses.

8. Qualified applicants who are residents of Rock Valley College District 511 or who reside in a district that has a cooperative agreement with Rock Valley College will be admitted first. Out-of-district applicants will be admitted only if the surgical technology class has not been filled and all qualified in-district or cooperating community college applicants have been accepted.

Admissions procedures

1. The following records must be sent directly to the Allied Health division office:
            a. High school transcripts or GED scores.
            b. Previous college transcripts (other than RVC).

2. Applicants are required to complete a separate application for admission to the Surgical Technology program, hereafter referred to as the surgical technology application.

3. The surgical technology application may be filed at any time and must be filed before April 15 prior to the fall term a student hopes to enter the program. Only completed applications are processed. Completed applications include:
            a. Chemistry grade(s).
            b. Math grade(s).

4. Students will be notified of their admission status prior to June 15.

5. Applicants not selected one year are individually responsible for reactivating and updating their application in subsequent years.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Testing

Students will undergo a criminal background check and drug testing upon admission to the program. It is possible that a student’s criminal background and/or a positive drug test will prevent participation in hospital clinical practice and program completion.

Standard for progression in the program

Students are required to earn at least a minimum grade of “C” in each theory/clinical course, along with the elected AST standard of 125 documented cases verified as completed.  Failure to do so will prevent a student from taking later courses in the program or graduating.

Course Descriptions