Circulators

[StudentSandra]

I started out looking for first assistant info and ran across this info, the part I questioned I put in bold. I always thought circulators had to be RN's or does the RN requirement only come into play with medicare/medicade reimbursement? if so, I would imagine it would be hard for a hospital to run if it excluded these groups. any ideas or opinions? I have nothing against surgical techs, just wanted to make that clear.

http://www.ast.org the following info is taken from the ast website. type in first assistant in their search box & this & other info shows up.

who are surgical technologists?

surgical technologists (formerly called operating room technicians) perform many different responsibilities in the operating room. they act as the scrub person, as the circulator,

and as the first assistant on the surgical team. surgical technologists' responsibilities involve preparing the operating room and instruments, equipment, and supplies that will be needed; positioning and preparing the patient for surgery; and passing instruments, sponges, and sutures to the surgeon. surgical technologists are the surgical team's expert in aseptic technique, being constantly vigilant for any break in the technique that could endanger

the sterile field so necessary to the successful outcome of the operation. those not familiar with the profession may assume surgical technologists are nurses or nursing assistants, which they are not. surgical technologists belong to a separate non-nursing profession of highly skilled, credentialed allied health professionals that possesses specialized education and training to work specifically in the operating room.

how can you support your constituents who are surgical technologists?

carefully scrutinize any purposed regulations that could restrict the use of surgical technologists.

there have been efforts made by nursing groups in many states to regulate the role of surgical technologists and restrict their full utilization, particularly in the first assistant and circulating roles. because hospital accreditation standards do not require an RN to circulate, nursing groups are attempting in some states to make this a legal or regulatory requirement at the state level. these effort will lead to hospitals having no choice in the provider they employ and could cost csts their jobs. if nursing groups are successful in their efforts to restrict this profession, it could result in your constituents who

are surgical technologists losing their jobs.

[CSTCFA]

I am sorry if i sounded snippy it was not my intention. I dont see why any one would get upset with what i said. Unless it was true. With 4 states already having CFA's to get Licensure or Registration and more to come, I hate to tell you it is not the end of story. As AST is pushing foward with higher education for CST's and CFA's, I see this discussion is just starting. Which by the way no CST within the past 10+ years has been On The Job Trained. With the nursing shortage rising, health care costs also rising, and most states with no laws saying that a RN and ONLY RN Must Circulate. I see why AORN is up in arms about this. Like you said MOST of the post were respectfull. What fuels and starts OR wars is comments, discussion boards, and articles like these. Keep the politics out of the work place. Troll feeding get a life. This is the reason why nurses are fighting to get respect in the OR. People like you who can not have a disscussion with out name calling or being immature. Nothing i said was worng.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I am sorry if i sounded snippy it was not my intention. I dont see why any one would get upset with what i said. Unless it was true. With 4 states already having CFA's to get Licensure or Registration and more to come, I hate to tell you it is not the end of story. As AST is pushing foward with higher education for CST's and CFA's, I see this discussion is just starting. Which by the way no CST within the past 10+ years has been On The Job Trained. With the nursing shortage rising, health care costs also rising, and most states with no laws saying that a RN and ONLY RN Must Circulate. I see why AORN is up in arms about this. Like you said MOST of the post were respectfull. What fuels and starts OR wars is comments, discussion boards, and articles like these. Keep the politics out of the work place. Troll feeding get a life. This is the reason why nurses are fighting to get respect in the OR. People like you who can not have a disscussion with out name calling or being immature. Nothing i said was worng.

At least one wrong thing...

The hospital i work at does OTJ training for CSTs (certified, not just techs).

Respect is still a two-way street.

[CSTCFA]

OJT or is it part of there Clinicals in school. If it is OJT then they are not CST's. Remember CST's are trained just for the OR. They have 6 months to a year of Clinicals in the OR learning from other CST's and RN's ect.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

OJT or is it part of there Clinicals in school. If it is OJT then they are not CST's. Remember CST's are trained just for the OR. They have 6 months to a year of Clinicals in the OR learning from other CST's and RN's ect.

The school is through the hospital, the OTJ training is not a part of their clinicals where i work.

I'm well aware that CSTs are trained just for OR. The first clue of that came from what the abbreviation CST stands for.

[suzy253, RN]

Why the snippy attitude towards RN's by the way?

:yeahthat: I'm just not getting it. What's the problem with RN's in the OR????

[CSTCFA]

Well then we know, someone who is OJT is not A CST!

[CSTCFA]

Like I said earlier nothing is worng with RN;s in the OR. They are needed!

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

So then you know someone who is on the job trained is not a CST. If the hospital where you are working at you must have a big shortage of RN's and CST's

Mmmmm, no, all of ours are CSTs now, certified STs. No shortage of RNs or CSTs where i work.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Like I said earlier nothing is worng with RN;s in the OR. They are needed!

Your earlier posts did not convey such a message.

[CSTCFA]

here it is

Nurses are needed in the OR just not in large numbers.

[CSTCFA]

OK if they are CST's they had have to go through an accredited school. ST's and ORT's ARE DIFFERENT

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

OK if they are CST's they had have to go through an accredited school. ST's and ORT's ARE DIFFERENT

They did go through an accredited school, which also happens to be through the hospital i work at. The OTJ training and the clinical portions are TWO separate things where i work.

I know that ORTs ARE DIFFERENT from CSTs.

ETA: This is my last post regarding this. It is 'round in circle, and nothing to do with the OT.