About AST

The Association of Surgical Technologists was established in 1969 by members of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).

As the oldest and most widely recognized professional organization for surgical technologists and surgical assistants, AST's primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists and surgical assistants have the knowledge and skills to administer patient care of the highest quality.

AST Mission Statement
To enhance the profession to ensure quality patient care.

AST Bylaws
To download a copy of the Bylaws, click here.

AST Code of Ethics
To download a copy of the Code of Ethics, click here.

AST Professional Code of Conduct
To download a copy of the Code of Conduct, click here.

Some of the ways AST works to promote the profession include:

• working with the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST) to set standards for education, including the associate's degree as the preferred level of entry into the profession;
• lobbying at the state and national levels for graduation from an accredited program in surgical technology and holding/maintaining the Certified Surgical Technologist credential as a condition of employment, and for similar regulation of and reimbursement for nonphyisician surgical assistants;
• providing continuing education opportunities to advance the knowledge and skills base of practicing surgical technologists and surgical assistants.
• providing national recognition through National Surgical Technologist Week, a week that has been specifically designated to celebrate and honor the professions. It began
  by a resolution adopted by the AST Board of Directors in 1984.

In the November issue of the Journal, we feature a special section of images that members contribute of how their schools and facilities recognize and celebrate the profession. Because so many members participate, we have a wealth of additional pictures that we are able to publish online. Enjoy and begin to plan for celebrate National Surgical Technologist Week in 2009. Click here to see more photos.