Health Sciences Center

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Training leads to careers to work in a surgical unit or behind the scenes

Schoolcraft College is offering two new rigorous, exciting health care programs. If your goal is to become an important member of a surgical team, there are two very different options. The first is to train to become a key behind-the-scenes worker. The second is the opportunity to work directly in the operating room.

Each program is set up so that students can start in one option and decide to go into the other option. With an aging population leading to an increase in surgeries, each position is in demand and will continue to be in the future.

Taught in the brand-new Health Sciences Center, Surgical Services offers the Sterile Processing Skills Certificate and the Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The new facilities feature the Surgical Services Suite, which is used for training and has all the equipment found in a real-world working environment.

“There is a huge demand for these jobs. The need for trained surgical support professionals continues to grow,” said Mary Jo Nowicki, BHSA, CST, FAST* and subject matter expert, who helped develop the Surgical Services programs. “These new programs at Schoolcraft College are a great fit for students graduating from high school, other professionals seeking a second career, or anyone looking to enter the medical field.”

people in operating room
Certified Surgical Technologists assist with instruments and supplies during surgical procedures.

Behind the scenes or hands-on?

The Sterile Processing Skills Certificate prepares graduates for a career as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), commonly referred to as a Sterile Processing Technician. In this role, they work with the Surgical Service department to inspect, process and distribute safe instruments and equipment to the surgical unit and the healthcare facility. Central Services is the department responsible for decontamination, disinfection, sterilization, packaging, storage and distribution of medical supplies and equipment.

“The sterile processing technician’s work is one of the most important pieces in preventing infection and there are not enough certified registered central service technicians to fill the open jobs,” Nowicki said. “The CRCST’s work means a much lower post-infection rate with best patient outcomes and is a vital role.”

Successful students are prepared to sit for the national Certified Registered Central Service Technicians (CRCST) exam. The CRCST is an integral part of a multidisciplinary health care environment that works as a division of Surgical Services.

The Surgical Technology AAS degree prepares graduates for a career as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), commonly referred to as a Scrub Tech. This person works under the surgeon to establish and maintain a sterile field while assisting with instruments and supplies during each surgical procedure. Surgical Technologists are responsible for preparing the operating room and surgical field as well as making sure all necessary items are available for surgical procedures. During the case, they pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon while working in the sterile role. They are the specialists of sterile technique.

“Becoming a surgical technologist is the fastest entry into operating room patient care. Surgical technologists scrub in, and it is the surgical technologists who are part of the sterile surgical team,” Nowicki said.

Students are prepared to sit for the national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam to earn their credential. Students must demonstrate competency knowledge of perioperative case management prior to entering a clinical internship.

The clinical experience offers students hands-on surgical patient care through multiple surgical service specialties. Students will work under the auspice of the surgeon as well as the surgical team to gain the scrub experience required for eligibility to sit for the national Certified Surgical Technologist exam (CST) credentialing exam offered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting(NBSTSA).

Sterile Processing Technicians inspect, process and distribute safe instruments and equipment to the surgical unit.

A closer look at the career outlook and programs

Sterile Processing Skills Certificate

  • Typical employers include hospitals, surgery centers and medical offices. Further education and training can lead to a career as a Surgical Technologist, or work in health care management or materials management.
  • The Sterile Processing Skills Certificate is 19-21 credits.
    • Full-time students can complete this in two semesters following the curriculum guide.
    • Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an Academic Advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them.

Surgical Technology AAS degree

  • Typical employers include hospitals, surgery centers and medical offices.
  • Further education and training can lead to careers as a Surgical Assistant, Surgical PA, or work in health care management, materials management and teaching.
  • The Sterile Technology AAS degree is 65.5-70.5 credits.
    • Full-time students can complete in two and a half years (including Spring/Summer terms) following the curriculum guide.
    • The educational and clinical learning experiences requires approximately 40 hours of participation per week in the second year of the program.
    • Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an Academic Advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them
    • Students planning to transfer should check the transfer institution’s requirements/guides or discuss their options with an academic advisor. Number of credits may vary depending on the course selection.

“The new Health Sciences Center is exceptional, and I have never heard of a school supporting the training in Surgical Services as thoroughly as Schoolcraft College,” Nowicki said.

Learn more about these programs at Schoolcraft College or view this video.

Registration for the Fall 2022 semester is now open. Classes begin Monday, August 29.*BHSA stands for Bachelor of Health Service Administration. CST stands for Certified Surgical Technologist. FAST stands for Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technology.

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The 110,800-square-foot facility includes new labs and lecture classrooms

Schoolcraft College celebrated the official opening of the beautiful new Health Sciences Center (HSC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 27. After remarks by Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College, and Joan A. Gebhardt, Chair of the Board of Trustees, area community and business leaders toured the 110,800-square-foot facility.

The HSC strengthens the College’s commitment to students in the health sciences and will provide a pipeline of talented graduates who are much needed by area healthcare providers. Trinity Health Michigan, Beaumont Health, Michigan Medicine and Henry Ford Health System all have facilities in Livonia or near Schoolcraft College, including the on-campus Livonia Medical Center.

Built on the site of the former Applied Science building, the HSC added 36,700 square feet to the existing 74,100 square feet, of which about 56% was renovated. The grand total budget was $24,286,615.

The construction manager was AUCH Construction, and the architect was Integrated Design Services. Schoolcraft College’s Construction and Design department worked on this project from the initial submission to the state, they collaborated with department and program subject matter experts to design the building, and directly oversaw construction.

person viewing medical computer screen
Photo 1
medical surgeon room
Photo 2
Photo 1: Jufauri Ely, Program Director/Instructor for Radiologic Technology and Faculty Representative for Medical Imaging Programs, demonstrates one of the pieces of equipment used for medical imaging.
Photo 2: Visitors gave high marks to how well the space at the Health Sciences Center, such as this one for Surgical Services, mirrored real-life facilities.

Programs housed in the HSC are:

  • Emergency Medical Technology
  • Health Information Technology
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Imaging
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technology
  • Surgical Services

The space features:

  • 23 labs (21 for Health Sciences, 2 for Health Information specialty labs)
  • 10 lecture classrooms, 8 of which are new spaces
  • 5 computer labs (3 with major renovations; 2 are new spaces)

Other members of the Board of Trustees who attended were Carol M. Strom, Vice Chair; Brian D. Broderick, Secretary; William P. Erwin, Trustee; Dillon E. Breen, Trustee; and Brett M. Gierak, Trustee.

“We’re excited to add the Health Sciences Center as another first-rate learning facility on our campus to help create transformational educational experiences for Schoolcraft College students,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “The HSC is another great win-win for our students and the community, and I want to thank everyone who made it possible.”

Learn more about Schoolcraft College’s health sciences programs.

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Training leads to careers to work in a surgical unit or behind the scenes

Schoolcraft College is offering two new rigorous, exciting health care programs. If your goal is to become an important member of a surgical team, there are two very different options. The first is to train to become a key behind-the-scenes worker. The second is the opportunity to work directly in the operating room. 

Each program is set up so that students can start in one option and decide to go into the other option. With an aging population leading to an increase in surgeries, each position is in demand and will continue to be in the future.

Taught in the brand-new Health Sciences Center, Surgical Services offers the Sterile Processing Skills Certificate and the Surgical Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The new facilities feature the Surgical Services Suite, which is used for training and has all the equipment found in a real-world working environment. 

“There is a huge demand for these jobs. The need for trained surgical support professionals continues to grow,” said Mary Jo Nowicki, BHSA, CST, FAST* and subject matter expert, who helped develop the Surgical Services programs. “These new programs at Schoolcraft College are a great fit for students graduating from high school, other professionals seeking a second career, or anyone looking to enter the medical field.”

Behind the scenes or hands-on?

The Sterile Processing Skills Certificate prepares graduates for a career as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), commonly referred to as a Sterile Processing Technician. In this role, they work with the Surgical Service department to inspect, process and distribute safe instruments and equipment to the surgical unit and the healthcare facility. Central Services is the department responsible for decontamination, disinfection, sterilization, packaging, storage and distribution of medical supplies and equipment.

Preparing for surgery
Certified Surgical Technologists assist with instruments and supplies during surgical procedures.

“The sterile processing technician’s work is one of the most important pieces in preventing infection and there are not enough certified registered central service technicians to fill the open jobs,” Nowicki said. “The CRCST’s work means a much lower post-infection rate with best patient outcomes and is a vital role.”

Successful students are prepared to sit for the national Certified Registered Central Service Technicians (CRCST) exam. The CRCST is an integral part of a multidisciplinary health care environment that works as a division of Surgical Services.

The Surgical Technology AAS degree prepares graduates for a career as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), commonly referred to as a Scrub Tech. This person works under the surgeon to establish and maintain a sterile field while assisting with instruments and supplies during each surgical procedure. Surgical Technologists are responsible for preparing the operating room and surgical field as well as making sure all necessary items are available for surgical procedures. During the case, they pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon while working in the sterile role. They are the specialists of sterile technique.

“Becoming a surgical technologist is the fastest entry into operating room patient care. Surgical technologists scrub in, and it is the surgical technologists who are part of the sterile surgical team,” Nowicki said.

Students are prepared to sit for the national Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam to earn their credential. Students must demonstrate competency knowledge of perioperative case management prior to entering a clinical internship. 

Surgical tools and equipment
Sterile Processing Technicians inspect, process and distribute safe instruments and equipment to the surgical unit.

The clinical experience offers students hands-on surgical patient care through multiple surgical service specialties. Students will work under the auspice of the surgeon as well as the surgical team to gain the scrub experience required for eligibility to sit for the national Certified Surgical Technologist exam (CST) credentialing exam offered through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).

A closer look at the career outlook and programs

Sterile Processing Skills Certificate

  • Typical employers include hospitals, surgery centers and medical offices. Further education and training can lead to a career as a Surgical Technologist, or work in health care management or materials management.
  • The Sterile Processing Skills Certificate is 19-21 credits. 
    • Full-time students can complete this in two semesters following the curriculum guide. 
    • Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an Academic Advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them.

Surgical Technology AAS degree

  • Typical employers include hospitals, surgery centers and medical offices.
  • Further education and training can lead to careers as a Surgical Assistant, Surgical PA, or work in health care management, materials management and teaching.
  • The Sterile Technology AAS degree is 65.5-70.5 credits.
    • Full-time students can complete in two and a half years (including Spring/Summer terms) following the curriculum guide.
    • The educational and clinical learning experiences requires approximately 40 hours of participation per week in the second year of the program.
    • Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an Academic Advisor to develop a schedule that will work for them
    • Students planning to transfer should check the transfer institution’s requirements/guides or discuss their options with an academic advisor. Number of credits may vary depending on the course selection.

“The new Health Sciences Center is exceptional, and I have never heard of a school supporting the training in Surgical Services as thoroughly as Schoolcraft College,” Nowicki said.

Learn more information on these programs at Schoolcraft College.

*BHSA stands for Bachelor of Health Service Administration. CST stands for Certified Surgical Technologist. FAST stands for Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technology.

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He’s learning from leaders in the construction industry

Will Peper, who is pursuing a path toward civil engineering, has the opportunity to better understand his prospective career thanks to a scholarship that has him working for a valued partner of Schoolcraft College on an important on-campus construction project.

Peper, of Plymouth, is the recipient of the AUCH Construction Scholarship, and he’s been busy this summer working on the refurbishing and upgrading of the Applied Science building, which is transforming into the Health Sciences Center (HSC).

“My goal was and is to have hands-on experience for what engineers do on a daily basis, and AUCH has graciously provided a means for that to happen,” Peper said. 

Peper comes from a large family, including six older siblings who were Schoolcraft College students, so he was familiar with the school. He also was familiar with AUCH Construction.

“My goal was and is to have hands-on experience for what engineers do on a daily basis, and AUCH has graciously provided a means for that to happen.”


Will Peper, Schoolcraft College student and recipient of the AUCH Construction Scholarship

“I am used to seeing the AUCH sign next to the St. Joe’s Sports Dome while driving past on I-275, but I was not aware that AUCH was responsible for renovations of existing buildings or the creations of new ones, such as the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center.”

Indeed, AUCH has been an important partner for the College. In addition to the St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center and the Sports Dome, AUCH’s other projects for Schoolcraft include:

  • The Manufacturing & Engineering Center in Livonia, home to the College’s occupational programs
  • The Public Safety Training Complex in Livonia, home to the College’s police and fire academies
  • Numerous renovations of rooms and space in buildings across the main campus
A medical building

The new St. Joe’s Mercy Elite Sports Center is one of many projects that AUCH Construction has led on the campus of Schoolcraft College.

The transformation of Applied Science, which formerly housed the occupational programs, to the Health Sciences Center, is the next key project for the College. The HSC will be the future home of all programs related to healthcare, with partial occupancy expected for the Fall 2021 semester. The upgrades will add 36,600 sq. ft. of space to the current Applied Science building.

“Most of my experience has been gained through observing and participating in the process of renovating the Applied Science building,” Peper said. “Many of my day-to-day tasks range anywhere from cleaning up the building and surrounding areas to reflect an efficient, orderly and well-managed project site; preparing areas to be worked in by other tradesmen; and assisting foremen of various subcontractors in completing one-off tasks. 

“With the assistance of my superintendent, I have attempted to dabble in various projects that would normally be done by various tradespeople (carpentry, demolition, masonry).”

The AUCH team has been glad to have Peper this summer.

Four people standing in front of a building

Will Peper (second from right) is shown with (from left) Jeffrey D. Hamilton, Shawn Verlinden and Vincent DeLeonardis

“We were delighted that Will was the recipient of the AUCH Construction Scholarship and can now take it a step further with some real life work experience in an effort to guide him with his goals for a potential future career in our industry,” said Jeffrey D. Hamilton, President, AUCH Construction.

Peper has been grateful for the experience.

“I had never stepped foot on a construction site before May of this year,” he said. “My exposure to hands-on projects was rather limited growing up, and my knowledge leading up to my internship was lackluster as a result. However, with the grace, patience, and immeasurable experience of my supervisors, my ability to expand my understanding of the construction world has been unprecedented.”