ANNOUNCEMENTS

AST Hiring Education Coordinator

The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) is seeking a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) with a minimum of five years of experience as a practitioner who may also have experience in education such as an adjunct instructor for a CAAHEP-accredited program, preceptor, or Clinical Educator at place of employment. An associate degree or higher is preferred, but not required. This is an excellent opportunity for a CST who is looking to advance in a unique direction with her/his surgical technology career in an entry-level position at AST. Good verbal communication skills are essential, as well as computer literacy. Excellent personal skills for communicating with the AST membership, boards, committees, and staff is important.

The CST will have the opportunity to assume responsibilities coordinating the approval of continuing education, assisting with planning AST events, managing the FAST award, building skills related to authoring and editing documents and publications, interacting with the membership answering various inquiries particularly regarding CE policies, and applying new skills in the use of multi-media to develop educational products. An emphasis of the position will be developing continuing education products. Other opportunities for growth as the individual advances in their skills within the position include learning departmental budget development and representing AST at meetings and conferences of other health organizations. The position requires travel as well as some work on weekends, for example, travelling to and working at the AST Surgical Technology Educators Conference. This is a full-time position requiring the individual to live in Colorado to be able to work at AST – this is not a work-from-home position. This position reports to the Director of Continuing Education.

The AST office is located in Littleton, CO. The applicant must submit a cover letter and resumé. The two documents are required to be submitted by E-mail. The application deadline date is October 19, 2020. 

E-mail cover letter and resume to:

Kevin Frey, CST, MA, Director of Continuing Education

kfrey@ast.org

AST is an equal opportunity employer. 

All AST Members Eligible to Take Advantage of 10 Free CEs

We have increased the amount of free CE for our members from 3 CEs to 10 CEs. All members will be able to take advantage of these benefits through December 31, 2020. You can find the 10 free CEs listed on your AST Member Dashboard or by visiting clicking on the Earn CE Now button. You must be signed into your account to view the free articles.

AST & NBSTSA Partner to Waive Certification Renewal Fees

AST recognizes the physical, emotional and financial hardships surgical technologists and surgical assistants are facing during the COVID-19 crisis. CSTs and CSFAs are performing surgical procedures on potentially infectious patients, serving on the front lines as PPE specialists, conducting COVID testing, and being assigned jobs outside their normal duties. Despite the hardships, maintaining the CST and CSFA credential is important, which is why AST has partnered with the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to jointly underwrite the $25 renewal fee for all CSTs and CSFAs whose certification renewal dates fall between March 15 and December 31, 2020.

*CSTs and CSFAs still will need to complete and submit the NBSTSA’s certification renewal form as well as have earned the CE required for renewal.

Complete your AST CE Reporting Form.

For more information regarding extended certification cycles and for renewal requirements, please visit the NBSTSA website. 

AST Staff Works Remote

While we have made some adjustments for our staff to work remotely, we believe that these measures will allow us to continue providing uninterrupted service for your membership needs. Although we have taken steps to ensure there is no disruption for you to get in touch with our staff, we ask for your patience as we navigate these new parameters together.

For direct assistance, you can continue to reach us from 8 am–4:30 pm MT through all the channels you normally do: email us at memserv@ast.org, call us at 800-637-7433 or connect with us via chat on ast.org.

We value your commitment to your patients and your profession, and we look forward to continuing to serve your membership needs.