professions, recognizing more than 2,000 allied health
education programs.
Graduates of accredited programs must successfully
complete a certification examination in order to attain the
CST credential. Certification examinations are administered
by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical
Assisting (NBSTSA) and they are the only surgical technology
and surgical first assisting examinations in the country
accredited by the National Commission for Certifying
Agencies. Contact the NBSTSA or visit their website,
www.nbstsa.orgfor current eligibility requirements.
CSTS AND CSFAS ARE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS.
CSTs and CSFAs Have Proven Their Knowledge and
Commitment to Quality Patient Care on National
Examinations.
Surgical technologists and surgical first assistants
undergo rigorous certifying procedures to earn a national-
ly-recognized credential as a Certified Surgical Technologist
(CST) or Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA).
Certification, instead of licensure, was selected by the
profession as the preferred method of credentialing surgical
technologists and surgical first assistants because it allows
employers to evaluate prospective employees by one
verifiable, national standard. It is the single method by
which all surgical technologists and surgical first assistants
demonstrate their knowledge of the principles of surgical
technology. Certification not only ensures quality care for
the patients, but also provides a valuable asset to the health
care institution’s risk-management program and is a benefit
during the institutional accreditation review. In addition,
many CSTs and CSFAs carry their own personal malpractice
insurance, which can provide the health care facility with
another financial benefit.
C S Ts A N D C S F A s I N T H E S U R G I C A L E N V I R O N M E N T
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