Waubonsee Surgical Technology Program receives national recognition

SUGAR GROVE - Waubonsee Community College's Surgical Technology Program recently received recognition by the board of directors of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for achieving at least a 90 percent graduate pass rate on the Certified Surgical Technologist exam cycle for August 2015 through July 2016.

Graduates obtaining national certification as a CST demonstrate through the exam understanding of the basic competencies for safe patient care in the operating room. The CST is considered among those in the health care profession as the most important credential for surgical technologies in the nation, and is required for employment within many local, state and national health care organizations.

During the time frame for which the college is recognized, 14 Waubonsee students took the CST exam, according to Dr. Jess Toussaint, Waubonsee Dean for Health Professions and Public Service.

"Surgical tech certification is a way for trained surgical technologists to demonstrate expertise and gain respect in their chosen profession," Toussaint said. "The more education, training and credentials you possess, the better your chances of realizing success in this field."

The college's surgical technology program is offered in the afternoons and evenings at Waubonsee's newly renovated home to its health care programs, the Aurora Fox Valley Campus, 2060 Ogden Ave. The renovated campus features state-of-the-art technology and equipment to provide students with places on emphasis on hands-on learning. The renovations also allowed for expanded student services, including tutoring, a library and testing services. The new surgical technology lab allows for realistic learning experiences that simulate a real operating room.