AST Creating the Surgical Environment

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.org for 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 T s 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 4