AST Creating the Surgical Environment

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. 5 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