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CSTs and CSFAs Actively Participate in Continuing Education

to Keep Current with the Latest in Surgical Techniques,

Asepsis and Surgical Patient Care.

The certification cycle renews every four years, wherein

individuals pursuing a CST credential are required to earn 60

continuing education (CE) credits to maintain certification.

Individuals pursuing the CSFA credential are required to earn

75 CE credits in the four-year period. The requirement for

renewal assures employers that the surgical staff is

knowledgeable and actively committed to quality patient

care. Employers can easily verify a prospective employee’s

certification status by visiting the NBSTSA website,

www.nbstsa.org

,

or by calling 800-637-7433.

CSTs and CSFAs Work Successfully in Any Area Where a

High Level of Knowledge of Sterile Technique and Surgical

Products is Required.

CSTs and CSFAs can fill a number of roles in the OR, including

scrub, circulator and, with additional training, surgical first

assistant.

In addition to the OR, CSTs are employed in central supply

and purchasing, where they assist in evaluating many

surgical products to facilitate purchasing decisions.

Conversely, many CSTs and CSFAs also work as representatives

for medical products companies and utilize their OR

experience to help facilities knowledgeably select products

to accommodate their surgical needs.

An increasing number of CSTs and CSFAs are applying

their education and sharing operating room experience as

educators in surgical technology programs offered by

universities and community colleges.

Another career option that many CSTs and CSFAs are now

pursuing successfully is the field of assisting in veterinary

surgery.

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A S S O C I A T I O N O F S U R G I C A L T E C H N O L O G I S T S