In the interest of patient safety, the Association of Surgical Technology (AST) promotes a policy that would require healthcare facilities to employ only individuals who satisfy baseline educational requirements and possess the CST credential. AST's government affairs department formulates a legislative/regulatory strategy for educating state-elected officials on the critical role of surgical technologists.
Advocacy means the act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea or policy. AST advocates to ensure higher quality patient care through the enhancement of the profession of surgical technology before state and federal regulatory and legislative bodies and the public. The AST Government Affairs Department, in coordination with AST State Assemblies, leads and drives grassroots outreach at the state level with the goals of fostering participation in the legislative process and passing legislation.
AST’s legislative mission, developed by the AST House of Delegates, is to support state and federal legislative and/or regulatory efforts that will require that surgical technologists are: graduates of accredited surgical technology programs and certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The model legislation grandfathers anyone currently working as a surgical technologist in a health care facility on the effective date or the bill to continue being employed as a surgical technologist. This legislation promotes the profession, ensures surgical technology jobs go to surgical technologists, and, most importantly, protects patients!
AST Legislative Overview Page