ST 115 Portfolio
Surgical Technology

June 20, 2013

Certification

The field of surgical technology is home to a number of organizations and designations. This means that the people who work within the field are committed to making sure that surgical technology remains a great career choice. So as you consider becoming a surgical tech, it’s wise to understand the following points about surgical tech certification requirements.
Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) In order to call yourself a Certified Surgical Technologist or CST, you will need to successfully pass the NBSTSA exam and maintain your certification status. The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) designation (awarded by the NBTSA) must be renewed every
You'll need to learn how to provide suction and retraction, how to stop bleeding with hemostats or sutures, and how to make incisions or suture tissues as directed by the surgeon. Fifth step is to apply to the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting for certification. You'll need to document 135 procedures in which you acted as first assistant, and provide two notarized verification letters from surgeons or surgical supervisors. Thirty-five of the procedures can be in general surgery, 50 in a single specialty, and the remaining 50 in any combination of other specialties. And the sixth step is to pass the certification examination, and you'll be credentialed as a certified surgical first assistant, or CSFA.

Registration

In order to work as a surgical tech in certain states, you will need to meet their surgical technician requirements. Here is how things break down for new surgical techs in those states: Indiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee all require new surgical technologists to hold and maintain professional certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The NBSTSA administers an exam that, if passed, results in being awarded the designation of Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). Texas requires new surgical technologists to have successfully completed an accredited surgical technology program and to hold and maintain professional certification from