AST Advocacy
Advocacy means the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea or policy. AST advocates to ensure higher quality patient care through the enhancement of the profession of surgical technology before state and federal regulatory and legislative bodies
and the public. The AST Government Affairs Department, in coordination with AST State Assemblies, leads and drives grassroots outreach at the state level with the goals of fostering participation in the legislative process and passing legislation.
AST’s legislative mission, developed by the AST House of Delegates, is to support state and federal legislative and/or regulatory efforts that will require that surgical technologists are: graduates of accredited surgical technology programs and certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology
and Surgical Assisting. The model legislation grandfathers anyone currently working as a surgical technologist in a health care facility on the effective date or the bill to continue being employed as a surgical technologist. This legislation promotes the profession, ensures surgical
technology jobs go to surgical technologists, and, most importantly, protects patients!
Grassroots Handbook
The AST Grassroots Handbook is a invaluable resource describing how to get engaged in AST legislative initiatives. The handbook reviews why the profession needs your voice, AST’s legislative mission and how to make your voice heard. The AST Grassroots
Handbook explains the AST model legislation, the AST legislative planning strategy and how to get involved, including the basics of grassroots training, coordination, and mobilization. Step-by-step instructions are included as well as samples of legislative alerts, colleague letters and press
releases.
Grassroots Handbook
Mock Surgeries
Mock surgeries performed in the capitol are a very effective advocacy tool and paint a vivid picture for legislators. State assemblies have performed mock total knee replacement surgeries in the capitol and have experienced great success. Mock surgeries are a great way for legislators and
other policymakers to understand surgical technology and the importance of surgical technologists.
AST Tips for Organizing a Mock Surgery
Florida Mock Surgery Press Release
About the Indiana Mock Surgery with Media Samples