THE EDGE
NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY AND SURGICAL ASSISTING
SPRING 2013
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
LOOKING AHEAD
With 2012 well behind us I hope the year brought you much
joy, happiness and success. With 2013 in full swing, let’s
make this an even better year! The NBSTSA has many
projects in the works, one of which is the launching of the
NBSTSA Career Center. Starting in January, job seekers
can find the Career Center on the NBSTSA homepage at
nbstsa.org. Working with Job Target, the NBSTSA
began offering our constituents access to over 700 jobs
in the surgical technology and surgical first assisting
professions. There are never too many resources when
looking for a job! These are exciting times and we are
honored to have the opportunity to serve our CSTs and
CSFAs in this capacity. The NBSTSA is proactively sharing
the Career Center with employers and our educational
community. In the coming months we’ll continue to promote
the CST and CSFA for employment at state meetings,
job fairs, trade shows and professional meetings.
Our surgical partners need to know the importance of
you and your credential in optimal surgical patient care.
Additionally, NBSTSA continues to offer the state assembly
speaker program and the support of our volunteers and staff
to the state assemblies. This is a long running commitment
of the organization and we want to come to your state
meeting! Remember, NBSTSA funds these speaking events
on a first come, first served basis. Contact the NBSTSA
today to schedule your state meeting.
As we are all aware, the face of healthcare is changing in
our nation and you may be wondering what role the CST
and CSFA will have in the future. Changes in healthcare
and the impact it will have on institutions across the country
will have leaders asking us to make significant sacrifices in
order to stay competitive. The CST and CSFA will be pushed
further to do more with less, while providing high quality
and safe patient care. You will be asked to manage day-to-
day operations with an intensive focus on growth. So what
are you expected to do during these challenging times?
Teamwork will be an essential piece of this difficult process.
If you are accustomed to working in a silo, this is a mindset
that will need to change. It will be essential to work in a
cooperative and coordinated effort, in an inclusive team
approach. As we look to transform the way we work and create
productive partnerships and teams, cohesive collaboration
becomes more important as a transformation strategy. As we
move forward, the delivery of safe, quality and affordable
care in a timely manner will be the expectation of you, me
and every CST and CSFA across the country. So how can you
help? Take an assessment of your ability and colleagues to
effectively reduce cost, variation and wasted process steps.
What unnecessary complexity in your daily work can you
take full responsibility of to increase the desired patient
experience while managing excess cost to your institution?
What will be your role in assessing how to redesign and
enhance better care delivery pathways? This will be a
challenge for all of us. As healthcare professionals this is
our charge. Will we be able to think and work differently?
Are you ready for the challenge?
Ron Alston, CST, FAST, BA, MA
President, Board of Directors NBSTSA
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President’s Message 1
CEO Corner 2
Surgical Colleague 3
Get To Know The Staff 4
NBSTSA Nuggets 6
Merit Recipients 7
Upcoming Meetings 8
2
CEO CORNER
ANATOMY OF AN EXAMINATION… OR HOW DO THEY COME UP WITH THIS STUFF?
*
*Fourth and final in a series of articles on the development of
the CST and CSFA examinations.
Previously in “The Edge”......you’ll remember that we began
this series with the heart pounding adventure of full NCCA
accreditation of the CST and CSFA examinations, followed
by the trials and tribulations of the Job Analysis process,
and finally the incredible intensity of question development
(Item Writing). What? You don’t remember? No worries.
Go to www.nbstsa.org/news/newsletters and experience
every moment of “Anatomy of an Examination”! For this
final installment we will review examination administration
and what the NBSTSA does to ensure your credentials are
the most secure, valid and respected in the professions of
surgical technology and surgical first assisting.
Not only does the NBSTSA work with Applied Measurement
Professionals, Inc. (AMP) on the development of the CST and
CSFA examinations, but we work with AMP on examination
administration, too! Proper examination administration is
a critical follow through to the examination development
phase. Imagine if you knew the questions to the examination
prior to sitting for it. Sound good? Hardly! What value
would your credential have if everyone scored 100%?
No value for you, your employer and most importantly, your
surgical patient.
“...WHEN YOU’RE CREDENTIALED AS A
CST OR CSFA, YOU’VE ACQUIRED
THE MOST WELL-DEVELOPED AND
ADMINISTRATED CREDENTIAL IN YOUR
PROFESSIONAL AREA.”
The NBSTSA and AMP employ specific monitoring
techniques to assure that examination content is not
compromised in any way. It is highly unlikely that you will ever
see the CST or CSFA examinations for sale on the internet,
available in a bookstore or in an instructor’s desk drawer.
Why? Because we know where to look! Constant surveillance
is an important first component to keeping your CST or CSFA
credential secure and valid.
Examination security in administration begins during the
candidate application process. Those pesky requirements
for CST and CSFA examination applicants assist the
NBSTSA and AMP in affirming that the candidate applying
for the examination is actually the candidate taking the
examination. Yes, it’s true and it can happen! Once we know
who you are, you can schedule your examination, either at
an AMP Computer-Based Test (CBT) Center or through your
school for Web-Based Testing (WBT). In both instances there
are specific monitoring criteria to maintain the most secure
environment possible. Both CBT and WBT testing proctors
receive specific instructions in the examination process and
know what to look for to maintain examination integrity
during administration.
What does all this mean? Does the NBSTSA still see efforts to
compromise your credentials? Unfortunately, the answer is
yes. But rest assured, the NBSTSA protects your credentials
at every turn and pursues action if there is any known effort
to compromise them. It’s much too important when it comes
to the care of the surgical patient. You can trust that when
you’re credentialed as a CST or CSFA, you’ve acquired
the most well-developed and administrated credential
in your professional area. Remember, the NBSTSA is the
only national credentialing agency that maintains third
party accreditation through the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
At this point we’ve pretty much covered examination
development from A to Z. If I haven’t offered before, give
me a call if you want to learn more! It’s all about knowing.
The NBSTSA wants you to advocate for your credentials!
Keep up the great work and thanks for being credentialed!
By the way, be sure to like the NBSTSA on Facebook!
Ron Kruzel, CST, MA, CAE
Chief Executive Officer NBSTSA
This exclusive program is designed to inform state assembly
members on the importance of credentialing in the fields of surgical
technology and surgical first assisting. NBSTSA’s CST and CSFA
certifications are the only NCCA accredited credentials (in surgical
technology and surgical first assisting) in the nation.
Please call Cara Stan at 800 707 0057 for full program details and to
schedule an NBSTSA representative to speak at your next meeting.
Expenses related to the program are covered by the NBSTSA on a first
come, first served basis, so SCHEDULE TODAY!
ATTENTION STATE
ASSEMBLIES!
THE NBSTSA IS PLEASED TO INTRODUCE
THE 2013 SPEAKERS PROGRAM.
NBSTSA.ORG or 800 707 0057
6 WEST DRY CREEK CIR, SUITE 100
LITTLETON COLORADO 80120
FACEBOOK.COM/THENBSTSA
A WORD FROM YOUR SURGICAL COLLEAGUE
PASSION AND COMMITMENT
Over the past year I have had the opportunity to speak at
two professional conferences for surgical technologists and
surgical first assistants. Both experiences were fantastic.
I think I learned more from the attendees than they learned
from me during my sessions! I’d like to talk about those two
experiences and what I observed while attending.
I first attended and spoke at the AST National Conference
held in Washington, DC in May of 2012. DC is a great town to
begin with, but introduce a couple of thousand enthusiastic
CSTs and CSFAs there and watch out! What was the
enthusiasm all about? Their profession, their association
and their patients. I was very impressed with the exhibit
hall, where I watched the NBSTSA staff and fellow board
members inundated by hundreds of conference attendees
with questions about their professional credentials.
During Student Day, I saw hundreds of students learning
about their association and credentials. I watched the AST
House of Delegates participate in the governance of your
profession and saw the hard work of your surgical first
assisting community conducting their business as well.
I’ve been to a lot of professional conferences, but I have not
seen commitment like this from many professional groups.
What I saw were professionals that believe in what they
do. I’ve said it in my column before and I’ll say it again.
Share the message with your peers in the operating room!
“...INTRODUCE A COUPLE OF THOUSAND
ENTHUSIASTIC CSTs AND CSFAs...
AND WATCH OUT!”
Recently I was invited to speak at the Texas State Assembly
meeting held in Fort Worth, Texas. There I saw the same
theme repeated. Over two hundred individuals coming
together on their own time, to educate, collaborate and
support their state assembly. I saw the president of AST,
NBSTSA board representatives and staff, speak about
their respective organizations. Not just their organizations,
your organizations. The passion and commitment was
unbelievable to see.
I believe, too. I knew that after all the years I have worked
with your professions, first with the ARC/STSA and now
the NBSTSA. But seeing all of you really reinforces it. I can
advocate for you and I do. But you’re your own best advocate.
Who knows about you best? Not your doctor. Not your nurse.
You. Take the message to the OR table. Tell your doctors
you’re a CST or a CSFA. Tell them what it means to you, the
team and the patient. Ask if they believe also. If they say yes,
that’s not enough. They need to support you at your hospital.
We should expect nothing less than fully credentialed
surgical technologists and surgical first assistants standing
over our patients.
I know the NBSTSA staff is ready, willing and able to
help. They will provide you with all of the information you
could possibly need to make certification happen in every
operating room in America. What are you waiting for?
Let’s make it happen!
Constantine “Dean” Godellas, MD, FACS
Board of Directors, Surgeon Representative (ACS)
NBSTSA
NBSTSA.ORG | 800 707 0057
FACEBOOK.COM/THENBSTSA
LOOKING TO
HIRE A CST
OR CSFA?
VISIT JOBS.NBSTSA.ORG TODAY!
• Post your job in view of highly qualified/certified
surgical technologists and surgical first assistants
• Search our resume database for qualified
candidates
• Manage jobs and applicant activity right from
our website
• Limit applicants to only those who are qualified
• Fill your open positions quickly with great talent
Job seeking is always free and employers
should look out for sales and discounts when
posting jobs.
4
GET TO KNOW THE STAFF
A QUICK LOOK AT THE NBSTSA ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Adrienne Segundo, IOM
Director of Credentialing/Operations
Adrienne joined the NBSTSA March,
2011 with over 12 years’ experience in
association management specific to
certification programs. A huge advocate
for certification, she believes strongly in
taking one’s career to the next level through
competency validation. Adrienne is married,
has two boys, loves reading rock star
biographies, photography and travel.
Ann Makofski
Assistant Director of Operations
Ann has been with the NBSTSA for over
seven years and currently works to ensure
all office departments operate smoothly
and efficiently. She is married, has three
Alaskan Malamutes and a cat. She loves
hockey, riding horses and traveling.
Allyson Welch
Executive/Credentialing Assistant
Ally joined the NBSTSA January, 2013.
She brings eight years’ experience in
certification program management, is
passionate about certification and believes
certification in medical professions is
imperative. Ally is married and has a 4 year
old daughter. Ally enjoys being outdoors,
music and writing.
Kari Allen
Certification Coordinator
Kari has been with the NBSTSA since
December, 2007. She handles all campus
based testing through the WBT department
and serves as the primary contact for
educational institutions. Kari has a
boyfriend, two cats and a mouse. She
enjoys board games, karaoke and getting
as many smiles out of life as possible!
Ron Kruzel, CST, MA, CAE
CEO
Ron has served as the CEO of the NBSTSA
for 6 years. As a CST, Ron thoroughly
enjoys the opportunity he has to serve
the people who share his credential and
passion for the profession. Ron is married
with four children and has several dogs.
He loves music, baseball, college football
and social media.
Kelly Boyle
Administrative Coordinator
On board with the NBSTSA since
November, 2011, Kelly handles credential
verification, processes payments,
participates in exhibiting and much
more. She hopes to become more
involved with legislation to increase
certification awareness and strives to
grow our organization. She has a 3 year
old daughter, who she loves to spend time
with, as well as a dog.
5
Ann Redford
Administrative Coordinator – Projects
Hired as a temporary Receptionist, Ann
came on board full-time with NBSTSA
in September of 2010. Ann assists with
website maintenance, marketing initiatives
and more, taking great pride in offering
excellent customer service. She enjoys live
music, art, theater and the great outdoors.
Carla Sanchez
Certification Coordinator
Carla’s been with the NBSTSA for nearly
five years. Her main focus is to assist
candidates with establishing CST/CSFA
examination eligibility. Carla loves assisting
candidates and helping to emphasize the
importance of certification. When not at
work, Carla enjoys play time with her two
dogs, Hendrix and Tyson.
Cara Stan
Meetings, Marketing &
Publications Manager
Cara has been instrumental in meeting
planning, marketing initiatives and
publication production for the NBSTSA
since her hire in May of 2012. Cara is
married and has a dog named Bella. She
loves to travel, which is good, as her
position with our organization has her on
the road a lot.
Shantel Wenzel
Recertification Coordinator
Since early 2010, Shantel has been
committed to assisting CSTs and CSFAs
with the credential renewal process. Her
passion is being able to see firsthand how
much of an impact certification is to our
industry. Shantel has a 5 year old son and
is currently in the process of furthering her
education at the collegiate level.
Tinesha Moore
Administrative Assistant
Hired in January, 2013, Tinesha is an
integral part of daily office operations.
Processing mail and payments, maintaining
our internal filing system and manning the
front desk are her main duties. Married
with three children, she enjoys family time,
movies and fine dining.
Sue Oakes
Records Specialist
Sue has been with the NBSTSA for five
years. She is responsible for processing
certificates and ID cards and maintains
various internal databases for the
organization. Sue is an animal lover and
owns three dogs and one cat. In her spare
time Sue likes to read and gardens.
6
NBSTSA NUGGETS
NEWS AND INFORMATION
u
INCREASING NUMBERS
Our numbers continue to
grow every year, both in the
number of people certified
and subsequently the number
of office staff needed to keep
the organization running
smoothly. As of March 1,
2013 we had 43,005 currently
certified CSTs and 2,403
currently certified CSFAs. This is up 4,500 CSTs and 220
CSFAs from this time last year. Thank you to those of you
who maintain your certifications and welcome to those
of you who are in your first certification cycle! Feel free to
contact us with any questions on recertification.
u
NOW ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS!
The Sandra Edwards, CST - NBSTSA Scholarship Fund
is designed to assist students in pursuing their education
via NBSTSA recognized surgical technology and surgical
assisting programs. The program includes $1000 (full)
and $500 (partial) scholarship awards. Scholarships are
awarded each summer. You must be currently enrolled
in a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited surgical technology
or surgical first assisting program at the time of applying
in order to be eligible to receive a scholarship. We are
now accepting scholarship applications year-round,
although they will only be awarded each Summer.
Visit www.nbstsa.org/scholarships.html for more information
and the application.
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FIND YOUR OPPORTUNITY TODAY
NBSTSA introduced its new Career Center in January 2013!
Surgical technologists and surgical first assistants can
browse over 1,000 job openings and post an anonymous
resume in the Resume Bank for free. Visit jobs.nbstsa.org for
more information.
The position descriptions for the CST and CSTA ERC
can be found via the links below. Please share with any
surgeons who may be interested and have them email a
resume or curriculum vitae (or their contact information)
to Adrienne Segundo at adrienne@nbstsa.org.
• nbstsa.org/downloads/2012/CST-ERC-Position-Description.pdf
• nbstsa.org/downloads/2012/CSFA-ERC-Position-Description.pdf
NBSTSA NEEDS
YOUR HELP!
WENEEDOFTWOGENERALSURGEONS
TOSERVEONOURCSTANDCSFA
EX AMINATIONREVIEWCOMMITTEES.
WWW.NBSTSA.ORG or 800 707 0057
6WESTDRYCREEKCR,SUITE100
LITTLETONCOLORADO80120
FACEBOOK.COM/THENBSTSA
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THE NBSTSA WOULD LIKE TO THANK
THE FOLLOWING STATE ASSEMBLIES FOR
ALLOWING REPRESENTATIVES TO SPEAK AT
THEIR MEETINGS IN 2012:
• CALIFORNIA
• COLORADO
• INDIANA
• KANSAS
• MINNESOTA
• MISSOURI
• NEVADA
• NEW YORK
• NORTH CAROLINA
• OHIO
• SOUTH CAROLINA
• VIRGINIA
u
DO YOU HAVE NEWS THAT OTHERS WILL
FIND INTERESTING? DO KNOW OF AN
UPCOMING EVENT? DO YOU WANT TO SHARE
A STORY, AN OPINION OR LET US KNOW IF
YOUR ST PROGRAM IS DOING SOMETHING
SPECIAL?
TELL US, EMAIL ANN@NBSTSA.ORG
7
MERIT RECIPIENTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS FOR ACHIEVING A
PASS RATE OF 90% OR HIGHER ON THE CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CST) EXAMINATION.
*
• AcadianaTechnicalCollege–LA
• AimsCommunityCollege–CO
• AlbanyTechnicalCollege–GA
• Anoka-HennepinTechnicalCollege–MN
• AshevilleBuncombeTechnical
CommunityCollege–NC
• AthensTechnicalCollege–GA
• BakerCollege–Cadillac–MI
• BakerCollege–Flint–MI
• BakerCollegeofMuskegon–MI
• BismarckStateCollege–ND
• BloomingtonHospital–IN
• CambridgeCollege–OR
• CanadianValleyTechnologyCenter–OK
• CapeFearCommunityCollege–NC
• CarolinasCollegeOfHealthSciences–NC
• CentralCarolinaTechnicalCollege–SC
• CharlesH.McCannTechnicalSchool–MA
• ChattahoocheeTechnicalCollege–GA
• CherokeeNationWWHastingsHospital–OK
• CoastalCarolinaCommunityCollege–NC
• CollegeofCoastalGeorgia–GA
• CollegeofWesternIdaho–ID
• CollinCountyCommunityCollege–TX
• ColumbusStateCommunityCollege–OH
• ConemaughValleyMemorialHospital–PA
• Dartmouth-HitchcockMedicalCenter–NH
• DelgadoCommunityCollege–LA
• DixieStateCollege–UT
• EasternVirginiaMedicalCollege–VA
• EHOVESchoolOfSurgicalTechnology–OH
• ElCentroCollege–TX
• EverestCollege-Hayward–CA
• EverestCollege-WestValleyCity–UT
• FayettevilleTechnicalCommunityCollege–NC
• FlatheadValleyCommunityCollege–MT
• GulfCoastCommunityCollege–FL
• GwinnettTechnicalCollege–GA
• HarrisburgAreaCommunityCollege–PA
• HenryFordCommunityCollege–MI
• IvyTechCommunityCollege–Columbus–IN
• IvyTechCommunityCollege–Evansville–IN
• IvyTechCommunityCollege–Valparaiso–IN
• KalamazooValleyCommunityCollege–MI
• KingsboroughCommunityCollege–NY
• LakeSuperiorCollege–MN
• LancasterGeneralCollege–PA
• LansingCommunityCollege–MI
• MaineMedicalCenter–ME
• McCannSchoolofBusiness&Technology-
Allentown–PA
• MetroTechnologyCenters–OK
• Mid-StateTechnicalCollege–WI
• MontgomeryCountyCommunityCollege–PA
• MountHoodCommunityCollege–OR
• NashvilleStateTechnical
CommunityCollege–TN
• NassauCommunityCollege–NY
• ParklandCollege–IL
• PiedmontTechnicalCollege–SC
• RichlandCommunityCollege–IL
• RiversideSchoolofHealthCareers–VA
• RochesterCommunity&TechnicalCollege–MN
• RockinghamCommunityCollege–SC
• SanJoaquinValleyCollege–Fresno–CA
• SanfordBrownInstitute-Tampa–FL
• SentaraCollegeofHealthSciences–VA
• SoutheastCommunityCollege–NE
• SouthwesternCommunityCollege–CA
• SpartanburgCommunityCollege–SC
• SpokaneCommunityCollege–WA
• TennesseeTechnologyCenter–Hohenwald–TN
• TexasStateTechnicalCollege–TX
• TheReadingHospitalSchoolof
HealthSciences–PA
• UniversityOfAkron–OH
• UniversityOfMontana–Missoula–MT
• UniversityofSaintFrancis–IN
• WaukeshaCountyTechnicalCollege–WI
• WesternIowaTechCommunityCollege–IA
• WesternNevadaCollege–NV
• WesternTechnicalCollege–WI
• WhartonCountyJuniorCollege–TX
• WilliamBeaumontHospital–MI
*Pass rates reflect the following time period: 7/31/2011—8/1/2012.
New Merit recipients will be announced in the next edition of The Edge.
6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 100
Littleton, CO 80120
toll-free 800.707.0057
facsimile 303.325.2536
mail@nbstsa.org
nbstsa.org
UPCOMING MEETINGS
SEE YOU THERE!
NPSF CONGRESS
New Orleans, LA
• MAY 8–10, 2013
AST ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
New Orleans, LA
• MAY 21–25, 2013
OR MANAGER CONFERENCE
Washington, D.C.
• SEPTEMBER 23–25, 2013
ANCC NATIONAL MAGNET CONFERENCE
Orlando, FL
• OCTOBER 2–4, 2013
ACS CLINICAL CONGRESS
Washington, D.C.
• OCTOBER 6–10, 2013
ASHRM ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION
Austin, TX
• OCTOBER 27–30, 2013
ICE CONFERENCE
Amelia Island, FL
• NOVEMBER 12–14, 2013
ANNUAL NATIONAL FORUM ON QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE
Orlando, FL
• DECEMBER 8–11, 2013
