Surgical Technologist Education
By 2024 all surgical technology programs are required to offer what degree to graduates upon completion?
Associate's Degree
Does credentialing verify competency?
Does not verify competency-Does establish a minimum knowledge basis for a given health care profession
Which organization is responsible for all decisions regarding the eligibility for & granting, denial, renewal, maintenance & revocation of Certification of the Surgical Technologist and the Surgical First Assistant & is the organization that offers the CST and CSFA exams?
NBSTSA-National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
How many questions on the CST exam are "test questions" for future exams that do not count towards the final score of the exam?
25 questions
What is the cost for non-AST members to submit their continuing education credits?
$200 every 2 years
Identify the two organizations that provide accreditation to surgical technology programs.
ABHES
CAAHEP
Which type of credentialing is a formal process by which qualified individuals are required to be listed in a government registry before practicing the occupation or field?
Registration
The CST credential is good for how many years?
2 years
How many questions are included on the CST exam?
175 questions
Identify 3 benefits of being a member of AST.
Will keep track of CE for free. Non-member= $200 fee
On-line access to records/sends out reminder letters
Support Local State Assembly organization with dues-$10 of AST dues are returned to the state assembly
Scholarships
AST ST Journal, CE opportunity
National Conference registration discount
Legislative/regulatory representation
CST exam as student member $190 not $290
What is the name of the commission under CAAHEP that is responsible for ensuring accredited surgical technology programs meet/exceed standards for education established by CAAHEP?
ARC/STSA- Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
Which type of credentialing creates a recognized profession in the state and requires education and passage of a certification exam as a condition to obtaining employment?
Mandatory Certification
How many continuing education credits must be obtained by the CST during their certification cycle to be eligible to renew by credits?
30 CEUs
How many hours will you be given to complete the CST exam?
4 hours
AST members must be a _____________ to be able to vote at AST National Conference to elect AST Board Members and National Officers.
Upon graduation from an accredited surgical technology program, a graduate is eligible to sit for which examination?
CST exam
Which type of credentialing recognizes a profession and makes it illegal for any person to practice without first meeting state requirements and establishes a clearly defined scope of practice?
Licensure
Which organization is in charge of keeping track of the continuing education credits earned by the CST?
AST-Association of Surgical Technologists
What is the passing score for the CST exam?
98/150 65.33%
Only ______ members who are members of AST and are CSTs are allowed to vote during the business meetings of the Nebraska State Assembly.
Active
What is the responsibility of ERC-CST-CST Exam Review Committee?
Continuous review/revise CST exam questions
Are there any states that require a license for surgical technologists with a defined scope of practice?
No-most restrictive legislation for CSTs is mandatory certification
When renewing the CST credential how many steps are involved and what are those steps?
Submit 30 continuing education credits to AST
Submit renewal application to NBSTSA
What is the fee for the CST exam for individuals who are AST members who are attempting to certify for the first time?
$190
Identify 4 opportunities for CSTs to obtain continuing education credits.
Employer sponsored in-services/trainings
AST ST Journal $6 per credit
AST online CE resources (3 free CE for AST member annually on AST website)
AST CE page $6 per credit
AST CE Credit Packages
College credits (if related to practice of CST)
State Assembly Workshops 6-7 CE( two per year)
AST National Conference 15 -20 CE
CE must be given by an AST approved provider or they are subject to an additional processing fee when submitting to AST