How long does it take to renew my AST certification?
Please note: Due to the amount of CEs that AST receives, please expect processing times to be at least 10-15 business days of receipt. Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) must earn 30 CE credits, including 4 defined as advanced, before their two-year cycle expires to renew their credential.
How do I submit my CE to AST?
Go to the AST CE Reporting Form to submit CE. Additional fees may apply to submit approved CE earned in any period of non-membership during your certification cycle. All CE must be earned within the dates of your certification cycle – not before or after.
Do I need to submit my AST credits back to AST?
When you earn AST credits online and pay for them online, you do not need to submit them back to AST as they go directly into your file. There are NO refunds on AST journal tests or CE Credit Packages. Please note: Due to the amount of CEs that AST receives, please expect processing times to be at least 10-15 business days of receipt.
What are AST and Alt and why are they important?
Any elevation in an enzyme level may be a sign of a liver problem, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are two of the enzymes central to such an investigation. When used comparatively, AST and ALT can help identify liver toxicity, liver disease, or liver damage. Verywell / Elise Degarmo Roles of AST and ALT
What is AST certified?
As the oldest and most widely recognized professional organizations for surgical technologists, AST's primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists possess the knowledge and skill sets to administer the highest quality of care for every patient.
How long does AST membership last?
every 2 yearsThe cycle period is every 2 years. If earning credits, the credits must meet the criteria of the "AST Continuing Education Policies for the CST & CSFA" and be submitted to AST for processing. Best practice is to become an AST member prior to earning credits to avoid a processing fee.
What is my AST number?
Phone: 800.637. 7433, between 8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday, MT.
How many questions is the AST exam?
The test includes 112 multiple-choice questions.
What education is required to be a surgical technician?
Postsecondary nondegree awardSurgical technologist / Entry level education
How long is a CST good for?
Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) must earn 60 CE credits before their four-year cycle expires to renew their credential. Certified Surgical First Assistants (CSFA) must earn 75 CE credits before their four-year cycle expires to renew their credential.
What is a good AST level?
Normal Results The normal range is 8 to 33 U/L. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
How can I increase my AST level?
Increasing AST make sure your diet is healthy and well balanced and contains enough of all essential vitamins and nutrients, especially vitamin B6 [6] avoid smoking, as smoking can further decrease it [12]
What does a high AST mean?
When your liver is damaged, it puts more AST into your blood, and your levels rise. A high AST level is a sign of liver damage, but it can also mean you have damage to another organ that makes it, like your heart or kidneys. That's why doctors often do the AST test together with tests of other liver enzymes.
How do you study for AST?
The skills that the AST measures are believed to develop slowly as a result of a variety of experiences, of which formal schooling is one important element. Your best preparation is to read widely and to think critically. Practice on objective test questions can do only a little to improve your score.
Is the surgical tech test hard?
As long as you take your study and preparation seriously, you will most likely be prepared and not find the questions to be exceedingly difficult. In 2020 (the most recent data year available), the CST pass rate for those taking the test for the first time was 74.8%. The recredentialing pass rate was 93.8%.
Is Surgical Technology hard?
Becoming a surgical tech isn't nearly as difficult as becoming a doctor, but you can't exactly waltz straight from high school into the OR, either. So, does a surgical tech need a degree? You can expect to need a certificate or degree, pass muster in an internship and earn some credentials.
What is the difference between NCCT and Nbstsa?
Surgical technologists pass an exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) to be considered a Certified Surgical Technician (CST) or they can gain certification through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
What is the Nbstsa certification?
The mission of the NBSTSA is to provide professional certification of surgical technologists (CST) and surgical first assistants (CSFA), thus promoting quality patient care in the surgical setting.
What is the AST?
The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) was established in 1969 with the mission of ensuring quality patient care. Today, AST is proud to acknowledge more than 40,000 members and represents the interests of more than 80,000 practitioners nationwide. AST actively promotes education for the profession; legislatively advocates ...
What is the purpose of the AST?
As the oldest and most widely recognized professional organizations for surgical technologists, AST's primary purpose is to ensure that surgical technologists possess the knowledge and skill sets to administer the highest quality of care for every patient.
Continuing Education Credits
As a CST, you are a part of an exclusive group of surgical techs to earn this credential. You make us proud! Because you are a member, we automatically record credits, keep them on file during your certification period, transfer them to the NBSTSA when it’s time to renew and send you an annual CE credit letter to keep you updated.
CE Credits
Two-Year Certification Cycle - CSTs Certified Surgical Technologists (CST) must earn 30 CE credits, including 4 defined as advanced, before their two-year cycle expires to renew their credential.
What is the AST in medical?
AST is exactly that, the Association for Surgical Technologists. This is our organization. These guys keep all of our Continuing Educations, whether it be the ones we have completed or the ones we need to complete in order to renew our certification. They also represent us on State matters, have yearly conferences, establish our rules and regulations, etc…. Us as CST’s must pay to be apart of the organization and a lot of people complain but it is definitely worth maintaining your membership for all the reasons I’ve stated.
What is the difference between AST and NBSTSA?
NBSTSA is our officiating body, they are the ones who provide our certifications and are in charge of the exam. AST is the official ‘scrub club’ and NBSTSA are the folks who are in charge of our certifications. You can be a member of AST (highly encouraged) but you can’t be a member of NBSTSA. They are solely our accreditation organization.
How long is a CE certificate good for?
Our certification is good for two years. Within those two year, you must complete a minimum number of CE’s to be able to renew your license. There is an option to just retake the test to re-certify, but most do not take that option because of the difficulty and stress it will bring. Most (myself included) just do a few credits worth of CE’s every month or so and re-certify that way.
Do you need a license to practice surgical technology?
Licensing and certification are two different things. Depending on the state you live and eventually will practice in, you won’t need a license per say. States like Colorado (where I live) or Washington have their own special requirements to practice Surgical Technology but if you don’t live in either of those states, you don’t need anything more than your training to get a job. Honestly, you can practice Surgical Technology even if you don’t pass the CST exam but you won’t be paid as much. I’d say, conservatively across the board, you’ll make about a dollar more an hour if you’re certified than if you aren’t, but you can still get a job as a Scrub if you don’t pass the exam. It behooves you to pass though, more money down the line and more opportunities for employment, but it isn’t a do or die.
What is TS-C certification?
The TS-C certification offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) focuses on providing a pathway to certification for surgical technologists already working in the field.
How long does it take to get a surgical tech certification?
These programs take anywhere from one to two years and require at least a GED to apply.
How much does a CST exam cost?
The cost for the CST exam is $190 for members of the Association of Surgical Technologists and $290 for non-members.
How often do you need to renew your surgical technologist certification?
Surgical technologists need to recertify their CST (NBSTSA) credential every two years. The annual renewal deadline is the date you were originally certified. Many CSTs take continuing education credits through the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). They must have taken 30 credits of continuing education courses within the last two years or pass a recertification examination. Those who wish to renew by examination must pay $399 if they are a current member of the Association of Surgical Technologists and $499 if they are not a current member.
How to become a surgical tech?
Education Option (Current Students): Complete a surgical technology program at an NCCT-authorized school, as well as have a GED or high school diploma. Current students should submit a copy of their surgical technology diploma, a certificate of completion, or a transcript with graduation date within 60 days of graduation. They must also complete a TS-C Critical Skills Competency Form within two years of taking the exam. While the documents above are not required to take the exam, students will not be considered “certified” until they are submitted. The exam fee for students is $155.
How many paths are there to become eligible for the NBSTSA exam?
There are two paths to become eligible for the NBSTSA credential exam:
What is the name of the body that certifies surgical techs?
Surgical technologists and first assistants are certified through the same body: the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA). The number of states that require surgical technologists to get certified before working varies.
Where is AST found?
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is found in a variety of tissues, including the liver, brain, pancreas, heart, kidneys, lungs, and skeletal muscles. If any of these tissues are damaged, AST will be released into the bloodstream. While increased AST levels are signs of a tissue injury, it doesn't always relate to the liver.
What is the AST and ALT?
AST and ALT are measured in international units per liter (IU/L). The normal levels vary based on a person's body mass index (BMI) as well as the individual lab's reference value. Generally speaking, the normal reference value for adults is: 1 AST: 8 to 48 IU/L 2 ALT: 7 to 55 IU/L
What are the roles of AST and ALT?
Roles of AST and ALT. Aminotransferases are chemicals that the liver uses to make glycogen. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Any glucose not immediately used will be converted into glycogen and stored in cells for future use.
What does it mean when your AST is high?
A high AST (aspartate aminotransferase) level can indicate a problem with your liver. However, it does not usually mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. It could be a side effect of medication. Very elevated AST levels can indicate hepatitis, cirrhosis, mononucleosis, heart problems, or pancreatitis. 3
What is the unit of measurement for AST?
AST and ALT are measured in international units per liter (IU/L). The normal levels vary based on a person's body mass index (BMI) It also depends on the lab's reference value, or typical results.
Why is the AST/ALT ratio important?
The AST/ALT ratio is important because its pattern can tell a lot about the condition involved. Here are the general guidelines used to diagnose liver disease: 1
What does high ALT mean?
High levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) can indicate a liver problem but do not necessarily mean you have a health condition. Very elevated levels of ALT may be suggestive of liver damage from hepatitis, infection, liver cancer, or liver disease. High ALT levels may also be a side effect of certain medications. 5
