The Association of Surgical Technologist (AST)

What It Is

The Association of Surgical Technologists was established in 1969 by members of the American College of Surgeons, the American Hospital Association, and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, at a time when the people assisting in operating rooms had no professional organization of their own. Today AST represents more than 80,000 surgical technologists and is governed by an 11-member board of directors, with 50 state assemblies that address local concerns. It sets standards of practice for the profession, publishes educational materials, tracks the continuing education credits that certified surgical technologists must earn, and works with state legislatures on laws that govern who may work in the operating room. In 1984, its board set aside the third full week of September as National Surgical Technologists Week.

Why It Matters

AST is the reason surgical technology is a recognized profession rather than an informal job. By creating standards, supporting certification, and advocating for laws that require trained and certified technologists in operating rooms, the association has raised both patient safety and the standing of the people who do the work. For young people considering the career, AST is also a practical resource: its website explains what the job involves, how to find an accredited program, and how certification works, and its student membership connects students in surgical technology programs to the profession before they graduate.