Purpose of this web site

Web sites are the easiest and most effective way to communicate with both members and nonmembers.

Information posted on this web site is available to all members with internet access immediately, whereas 1,000 postage stamps alone would cost $440!

Having said that,obviously that is no advantage at all unless the membership checks this site on a regular basis!

While our target group of web users might seem small for a web site it certainly does not stop there. Unlike the main AST site, no part of this site is currently restricted to registered members only. Wherever you are in the world you are welcome to visit our site. If you are looking at a future career in our profession and you find any encouragement in this site, we would be happy to hear from you via our contacts page.

All that we ask is that the subject be directly relevant to Surgical Technology and/or this web site specifically. Absolutely no submitted information will be published on this site automatically and without prior approval.

Association of Surgical Technologists

The professional organization for surgical technologists is the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). Formed in 1969 with the support of the American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association (AMA), American Hospital Association (AHA), and Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), AST represents the interests of over 80,000 surgical technologists.

AST's primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists have the knowledge and skills to administer patient care of the highest quality and is the principal provider in conjunction with more than 40 state organizations of continuing education for surgical technologists. AST also works with ARC/STSA and NBSTSA to set standards for education and certification and represents the profession at state and national levels to ensure graduation from an accredited program in surgical technology and that all surgical technologists attain the Certified Surgical Technologist credential as a condition of employment.

Michigan State Assembly

The purposes of the state assembly are the following:

  • To study, discuss, and exchange professional knowledge, expertise, and ideas in the field of surgical technology.
  • To promote a high standard of surgical technology performance for quality patient care.
  • To stimulate interest in continuing education for surgical technologists.
  • To encourage employment of certified surgical technologists through cooperative efforts with other professional health care organizations and individuals.
  • To promote and maintain communication and cooperative relationships with other professional health care organizations.
  • To explore and encourage the diversified roles of the certified surgical technologist, hereinafter referred to as the “CST.”

MSA-AST is a state assembly with rich resources and talents!

MSA-AST is for all surgical technologists, assistants and students, not just a few people!

MSA-AST represents more than 1000 members of AST who reside in the State of Michigan as of May 2010 !

MSA-AST is about the practice of surgical technology and ensuring quality patient care!

One of the largest challenges that MSA ever faced as a state assembly was the Mock Total Knee procedure in Lansing. This event did not just happen. It was the effort on the part of many members from ALL OVER MICHIGAN and took commitment, dedication and many man hours to plan, to coordinate and to present!  MSA was successful in kicking off HB 4834.

MSA-AST is like any family or organization: MSA needs all of its members to grow and to be strong. MSA is about coordinating our efforts and goals and providing continuing education; MSA is about networking and professionalism.

MSA is about quality patient care; MSA is about our profession; MSA is about you!

 

What does a surgical technologist do?

What are the career prospects?

For a detailed job description and answers to other related questions please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition using this convenient link: Surgical Technologists

To see Surgical Technicians and Technologists at work click here .