Pennsylvania
Association of Surgical Technologists

The Mission of the Pennsylvania Association of Surgical Technologists is to promote team work and
participation in the organization in order to inform, educate and gain recognition as professionals and to
ensure quality patient care for all surgical patients.

The Pennsylvania Association of Surgical Technologists (PA-AST) is a chartered constituent division
(state assembly) of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) and represents approximately 3400
surgical technologists residing and working in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Approximately 957
are members of the AST.

The PA-AST is a non-profit organization originally incorporated in 2002 as the Pennsylvania State
Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists (PASAAST).  In 2006, the name of the organization
was changed.

The PA-AST is governed by a Charter Agreement with the AST and state assembly bylaws. The Board of
Directors of the organization consists of nine PA-AST members and includes the offices of President,
Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  Elections are held at the Annual Meeting in the spring.  
Candidates for Director shall have been an
Active Member of the AST for one year immediately preceding
nomination and maintain that status if elected. Additionally, candidates for the office of President shall
have served at least one term as a Director.  No Officer or Director may serve more than two full terms in
the same office.

At least two state assembly meetings per year are held where official business of the organization is
conducted.  Meetings are held in conjunction with an educational program.  At least four continuing
education credits are offered and are applicable toward certification renewal by the National Board of
Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA, formerly the LCC-ST).  The PA-AST is an AST
Approved Provider of Continuing Education.

The PA-AST advocates legislation in Pennsylvania that would mandate surgical technologists and
surgical assistants to have graduated from an accredited school and be nationally certified in order to
practice in the Commonwealth.

National Surgical Technologist Week

The week of September 19 - 25
is National Surgical Technologist Week.

On Monday, September 13, 2010, the Pennsylvania House
of Representatives adopted House Resolution 910
designating the week of September 19 through 25, 2010 as
"Surgical Technologist Week" in Pennsylvania.  Please click
on the links below to read and print the documents.

Introduced House Resolution 910

Official Designation with the Commonwealth Seal
State Assembly Bylaws