RECERTIFICATION

  • 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 15-21, 2019


    Who's Your Surg Tech Superhero? Tell Us and Win!

    For AST’s 50th anniversary, we’re celebrating the superheroes of our profession. Some of these members line the walls of our Hall of Presidents; are recognized in our textbooks, study guides and core curriculums; are printed in issues of The Surgical Technologist; and are listed on our state assembly websites. But many more are unsung heroes from the classroom, clinical site and OR suite. Those are the surg tech superheroes who inspire others – who inspire you!

    Nominate your surg tech superhero for recognition on AST’s website and the chance to win a conference registration for you and your superhero to AST’s Surgical Technology Conference in Atlanta, May 28-30, 2020. (See Rules and Prizes for details.)

    The first 50 techs to nominate someone will receive a 50th anniversary or superhero promotional item. We encourage you to nominate early to receive the best prizes.

    How to Nominate Your Surg Tech Superhero

    Rules

    • Nominations should be at least 250 words, but no more than 1,000 words. Submissions that do not meet this requirement, or that exceed it, will be disqualified from winning the grand prize
    • With your nomination you must upload a photo of your surg tech superhero or a photo of the two of you together. It is your responsibility to ensure that HIPAA protocols for your facility are not violated
    • Photos submitted with your nomination cannot show name badges, boards or screens containing patient names, or any other view that would violate HIPAA regulations. It is your responsibility to know you employer’s policy about photography/videography and the use of cell phones in your facility. AST is not liable for any disciplinary action taken against you for failing to know and follow your employer’s policy
    • While you can nominate anyone in the field as a superhero, to qualify for the grand prize conference registrations, you and your superhero must be current AST members and Certified Surgical Technologists
    • Nominations must be received by September 30, 2019. The Foundation for Surgical Technology will judge entries in October and the grand prize winners (tech and their superhero) will be notified in November
    • Nominations that include foul language or inappropriate material will be removed and disqualified for prizes.
    • One nomination per person.
    • Nominations must be submitted through the contest website between September 3 and September 30. Although entries will continue to be visible online, new nominations will not be accepted after September 30. Mailed or emailed entries will not be accepted, nor will nominations posted only to AST’s Facebook page. If you are having trouble with the nomination form, contact deanna.geldens@ast.org.
    • To receive a prize, you must fill out the entry form completely, including a valid mailing address, email address and phone number. Winners will be notified by email and announced on AST’s website by November 15, 2019. Top entries also will receive recognition in The Surgical Technologist.

    Judging Criteria

    Nominations will be judged on their ability to describe their surgical technologist superhero in an articulate, clear and organized manner. Qualifying nominations will be evaluated by impartial judge from the Foundation for Surgical Technology based on the following criteria:

    • Thoughtful points describing the nominee’s work and influence in the field of surgical technology
    • Background information or examples to support the points above
    • Clearly written and well-organized nomination
    • Spelling, grammar and mechanics

    Ownership and Use

    By entering your nomination into this contest, you give permission and consent, without compensation, with or without attribution, for AST to use, reproduce, transmit, post, distribute, adapt, edit, and/or display the nomination and corresponding photo(s).

    How to Submit

    Watch for the contest link to be posted on the AST website and AST Facebook page. (No submissions posted directly to AST’s Facebook page will be accepted). The link will be live September 3-30. No new nominations will be accepted after September 30.