Who We Are
The Colorado/Wyoming State Assembly is the local professional community of the Association of Surgical Technologists, representing surgical technology professionals throughout Colorado and Wyoming.
Our State Assembly connects professionals in our local communities with the larger surgical technology profession. We provide opportunities for continuing education, professional networking, leadership, and involvement while promoting the standards and values of surgical technology.
From students entering the operating room for the first time to experienced CSTs, educators, leaders, and professionals who have taken their surgical technology careers beyond the sterile field, our members represent the many paths this profession can take.
We are more than a professional organization. We are surgical technologists supporting surgical technologists.
Understanding Our Profession
Different roles. Specialized skills. One commitment to surgical patient care.
Surgical care depends on professionals with specialized education, technical expertise, and a strong understanding of asepsis, sterile technique, anatomy, surgical procedures, instrumentation, and patient safety. While the titles may sound similar, each represents a distinct role within the surgical team.
Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists are allied health professionals and integral members of the surgical team. They help ensure the operating room is safe, equipment functions properly, and surgical procedures are conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety.
In the first scrub role, the surgical technologist prepares the sterile back table and Mayo stand, performs counts with the circulator, assists with establishing the sterile field, anticipates the surgeon's needs, passes instruments and supplies, manages medications and solutions, maintains sterile technique, and prepares and passes specimens.
Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
A Certified Surgical Technologist performs the essential responsibilities of surgical technology while also holding the national CST credential.
Surgical technologists prepare the operating room and sterile field, set up surgical equipment, supplies, and solutions, pass instruments and supplies during surgery, manage equipment and specimens, maintain the sterile field, and participate in surgical counts to help prevent retained objects.
The CST credential is earned following an eligible programmatic education pathway and successful completion of the national Certified Surgical Technologist examination administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Surgical Assistant
Surgical assistants perform advanced technical functions under the direction and supervision of the surgeon. Their responsibilities include assisting with exposure of the operative site, hemostasis, closure, and other intraoperative functions that help the surgeon perform a safe operation and achieve optimal outcomes for the patient. They may also perform preoperative and postoperative duties that support patient care.
Their intraoperative responsibilities can include positioning, retraction, suctioning and irrigation, manipulation of tissue and suture materials, assisting with hemostasis, closing body planes, and applying appropriate wound dressings.
One surgical team. Distinct professional roles. A shared responsibility for safe, high-quality patient care.