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  • National Surgical Technologists Week

    You are worth celebrating. You work hard for your team. You make the operating room efficient while ensuring patient safety. You deserve recognition! That’s why, in 1984, the Association of Surgical Technologists Board of Directors dedicated the third week in September to recognizing you and your profession. National Surgical Technologists Week has been celebrated every year since and has become a national phenomenon. 

  • National Surgical Technologists Week

    September 17-23, 2023

    Click the button below for a statement from our President.


    Join us as we celebrate surgical technologists everywhere! 

    Our theme for NSTW this year will be: Celebrating Unsung Heroes!

    2023NSTWLogo

    We're thrilled to invite you to join the excitement of National Surgical Technologist Week! If you're not active on social media or simply prefer to submit your entry early, we've got you covered.

    Share your wisdom, advice, or a snapshot of your hero moment as a Surgical Technologist. Your contribution could be featured in our campaign celebrations! Whether it's a lesson learned, a helpful tip, or an inspiring story, your insights matter.


    Click on the button below to explore the NSTW posters and printable resources available. Download, print them out, and place them in your hospitals, schools and houses, wherever you want! 


    Surgical Instrument Showdown: Mayo Scissors Take it All!


    Thank you to all who voted! Mayo Scissors won this time, but the race was close! 


    We have a number of competitions to participate in. In our Unsung Hero Advice contest, we invite surgical technologists to share their words of wisdom and advice for their fellow professionals. Inspire and support one another by offering insights gained from your own experiences. Additionally, don't miss out on our Hero Pose contest, where we want you to show us when you feel most like a surg tech hero. Share a photo, anecdote or video that showcases your contributions, challenges, or triumphs behind the scenes. Lastly, keep an eye out for trivia throughout the week on Instagram and Facebook for a chance to win prizes! Stay tuned for more details and instructions on how to participate and view the official rules in the PDF below. Let's unite and celebrate the invaluable contributions of surgical technologists during NSTW!

    UnsungHeroesContest2023

    We intentionally left room for STs to interpret this in many ways so there aren’t any wrong or right posts when it comes to content. Submissions to the contest must adhere to HIPAA guidelines, ensuring that any sensitive medical information included is de-identified and anonymized to protect patient privacy.  

    Want to promote our NSTW contests? Click the button below for our free promotional items.


    Fill out a proclamation! Click on the link below for a sample proclamation to recognize National Surgical Technologists Week. Organize a Surgical Technologist Day at your hospital or stage a mock surgery for the week.

    Proclamation PDF

    NSTWProclamation2023


  • Resources to Promote the Profession

    "We are the experts in everything sterile and
    aseptic. Who better to educate our communities
    than the people who work daily to alleviate
    contamination and cross-contamination?"

    -Cindy Mask, CST, FAST

    We are Experts in the Sterile Field.
    Now is the Time to Promote It

    Read Cindy's guest column on why surgical technologists need to take the lead in promoting sterile technique and importance of PPE.


    Watch AST's Career Video and help spread the word about the profession and the critical job surgical technologists perform every day.