CST Candidate Handbook

CST Candidate Handbook 2020 1ST EDITION National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) National Examination for the Certified Surgical Technologist Table of Contents 3 Section One: 10 Section Five: ABOUT THE NBSTSA CONTENT OUTLINE • Mission and Vision • Surgical Technologist Certifying Examination • History and Purpose Content Outline • Nationally Accredited Program • Sample Questions for the CST Examination • Purpose of Certification • CST Reference List • CST Examination Recommended References • Study Tips 4 Section Two: ELIGIBILITY 16 Section Six: • Establishing Eligibility to Test APPLICATIONS & FORMS • Special Accommodations and Services • Military Applicants • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) • Non-Discrimination Policy Examination Application • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Renewal Application • Request for Special Examination 6 Section Three: Accommodations SCHEDULING YOUR EXAMINATION • Guidelines for Documenting a Request for Test Accommodations • Appointment • Identification • Examination Day Reporting Time • Inclement Weather, Power Failure or Emergency • Examination Appointment Rescheduling • Test Administration • Examination Restrictions/Misconduct • Examination Security 9 Section Four: POLICY • Re-Testing • Denial/Revocation of Certification Policy • Right to Appeal Policy Photography by Shelly Sobol Photography, Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting, Inc. 2 National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Section One About the NBSTSA MISSION AND VISION NATIONALLY ACCREDITED PROGRAM The mission of the NBSTSA is to be the gold The National Commission for Certifying Agencies standard provider of professional certification (NCCA) reviews and grants accreditation to the of surgical technologists (CST) and surgical NBSTSA for administration of both the CST and first assistants (CSFA), supporting continuing CSFA certifications. education, thus promoting superior patient care in the surgical setting. The NCCA evaluates certifying agencies on a comprehensive set of criteria, including appraising The vision of the NBSTSA is to continue to operate the appropriate certification requirements, as the gold standard provider of credentialing assessing the occupation being certified and services for surgical technologists and surgical weighing both the validity and reliability of the first assistants, and to expand the provision of certifying examinations, as well as the extent to high quality, safe patient care in the healthcare which the public interest is protected. community. PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATION HISTORY AND PURPOSE Certification as a surgical technologist or surgical Certification for surgical technology began in 1970 first assistant demonstrates that the individual when the first examinations were created and meets the national standard for knowledge that administered by the AORT Advisory Committee underlies surgical technologist and surgical first and the AORT Examination Committee. The assistant practices. Certified individuals possess National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical mastery of a broad range of skills related to surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), initially the LCC-ST, was procedures, aseptic technique and patient care. formally established in 1974 as the certifying agency for surgical technologists. Certification exhibits an individual’s pride in the profession, the desire to be recognized for mastery The NBSTSA is solely responsible for all decisions of scientific principles, as well as an ongoing regarding certification of surgical technologists commitment to quality patient care. Certification (CST) and surgical first assistants (CSFA). They is a means for upward mobility, a condition for determine eligibility to maintain, deny, grant and employment, a route to higher pay and a source of renew both designations. recognition nationwide. The NBSTSA is governed by a ten member Board Approved candidates who take and pass the CST of Directors composed of: or CSFA examinations are authorized to use the • Seven Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) initials CST or CSFA respectively, as long as they and Certified Surgical First Assistants (CSFAs); maintain certification currency. • One public member; • One surgeon, as appointed by the American CST, CSFA and CST/CSFA are federally registered College of Surgeons (ACS); trademarks and service marks owned by • One surgical technology educator the NBSTSA. The purpose of the NBSTSA is to determine, ©2020 National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). All Rights through examination, if an individual has acquired Reserved. No portion of these materials may be both theoretical and practical knowledge of reproduced, modified, distributed or otherwise used without the prior written permission of surgical technology or surgical first assisting. the National Board of Surgical Technology and In addition, through the acquisition of continuing Surgical Assisting. education credits or through re-examination, all CSTs and CSFAs are required to stay up to date with ongoing changes in the medical field. 2020 CST Candidate Handbook 3 Section Two Eligibility ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY TO TEST To become certified, individuals must first establish eligibility to test. The following table explains all available eligibility options and should be reviewed prior to submitting an examination application and related fees. The NBSTSA retains the sole authority to establish eligibility requirements, makes all final decisions regarding examination eligibility and does not refund processing fees or rush processing fees for candidates who apply and are found to be ineligible. ELIGIBILITY TABLE 1 Current or previously Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Evidence of CST certification A graduate of a surgical technology program accredited by the Evidence of graduation: copy of diploma, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs transcript or notarized and signed letter, (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools MUST be on official school letterhead, from 2 (ABHES) program director or registrar stating date of www.caahep.org graduation from the surgical tech program www.abhes.org and type of degree received. Evidence of graduation or DD214 or Joint 3 A graduate of a military training surgical technology program Services Transcript Once you have determined that you are eligible to sit for the examination, submit your application, supporting documentation and testing fees to the NBSTSA for processing. Once approved, the NBSTSA will send you an Authorization To Test letter (ATT) which includes your ATT number and contact information for the testing agency, so you can schedule your examination. Individuals who obtained CST certification prior to September 1, 1977 can obtain current CST certification (with an expiring certificate and number). Candidates may obtain currency by earning and submitting 30 continuing education credits (that were earned in the two (2) years prior to application submission) or retaking and passing the CST examination. For further information on obtaining certification currency, contact the NBSTSA at 800-707-0057. 4 National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting Section Two Eligibility SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS AND ADAAA confidentiality: The NBSTSA strictly SERVICES adheres to a policy of confidentiality and does not disclose names of applicants with disabilities The National Board of Surgical Technology and or information concerning the application or Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) provides reasonable accompanying documentation. Examinations accommodations in accordance with the Americans administered with accommodations are not with Disabilities Act as amended (ADAAA) for identified to third party score recipients and are individuals with documented disabilities who scored no differently than examinations of other demonstrate a need for accommodation(s). certification candidates. The application and In accordance with the ADAAA, the NBSTSA does guidelines related to examination accommodations not discriminate against individuals with disabilities may be found in the back of this Candidate in providing access to examination programs. Handbook. ADAAA regulations define a person with a MILITARY APPLICANTS disability as someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more Military applicants stationed overseas may major life activities such as walking, seeing, request to test through their base education office, hearing or learning. rather than at one of the NBSTSA’s established testing centers. The purpose of accommodations is to provide equal access to NBSTSA examinations for all The base education center can administer a web individuals. Accommodations “match up” with based examination if the military post is more the identified functional limitation so that the area than 100 miles from a testing center. The NBSTSA of impairment is relieved with an auxiliary aid or will mail the test results directly to the testing an adjustment to the testing procedure. Functional candidate within six (6) weeks of the examination. limitation refers to the aspects of a disability that interfere with an individual’s ability to function; To utilize the NBSTSA military base education that is, what someone cannot do on a regular and center applicants must select that option on the continuing basis as a result of their disability. examination application, requesting administration through the base education center. NBSTSA staff The purpose

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