Your Arizona State Assembly
Welcome to the Arizona State Assembly Web Page. This web page is primarily designed to keep our members well informed as to what is happening in their organization. You will find links to other medical related associations as well as information about our state assembly.
This page is to inform you, the surgical professional , as well as our members about what is happening in our State Assembly. Please feel free to view all areas and if you are interested in becoming a Certified Surgical Technologist we have provided an address links to accredited schools or programs in Arizona and On-line accredited programs to assist you in your search.
What is a Surgical Technologist?
Certified Surgical Technologist ( CST) provide a safe sterile field for your surgical procedure by providing the Surgical team with the instrumentation, supplies and equipment necessary for your procedure. A CST understands the procedure being preformed, has the surgical knowledge and ability to ensure a safe and quality care during your procedure by anticipating you surgeons needs.
A CST may function in a circulating role . Duties may require monitoring conditions in the operating Theater by assessing your, the patients, needs and those of the surgical team. This role may include obtaining additional supplies, equipment and instrumentation as the procedure progresses.
What is a Surgical First Assistant?
A Certified Surgical First Assistants (CST/CFA) may be used to assist your surgeon during your procedure. The CST/CFA is a CST who has additional training and knowledge to assist your surgeon under his direct supervision. The role of the CST/CFA is defined by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to "provide exposure, hemostasis, and other technical functions that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patient. These functions include, but are not limited to, positioning of the patient, suturing and closure of the body plans and skin, and the application of wound dressings."
What are our Educational Standards?
Surgical Technology educational programs accredited through a formal accreditation process involving the American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Hospital Association (AHA), and Association of Surgical Technologist( AST). The commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) is the professionally recognized accrediting body for surgical technology programs. Only graduated from CAAHEP accredited programs and current CST's are eligible to sit for the national certifying examinations. The examinations are administered by National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA, formerly LCC-ST). NBSTSA is a separate agency and is not affiliated with the Association of Surgical Technologists.
It administers the only surgical technology and surgical first assisting examinations in the country accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).