In the June e-newsletter, we briefly discussed the revision process for the 2013 Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Surgical Technology, as related to current Guideline language under Standard I.A., “Projected for August 1, 2021, all sponsoring institutions should award a minimum of an Associate’s Degree at the completion of the program.” Let’s review in more detail [...]
By Dr. Joseph B. Long CST, FAST, EdD I worked for a number of years as a CST for two different health care institutions and served surgical technology students for two different post-secondary schools in the role of dean and program director. I only mention this to inform you that I have "been around the block", so to speak. During my [...]
The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), a private, not-for-profit accrediting body is seeking a highly qualified individual with exceptional leadership abilities, as well as a strong background in accreditation process, education program development, marketing, and not-for-profit organization management. Click here for Job Description. The ARC/STSA office is located in Littleton, Colorado, approximately 10 miles [...]
After reading a site visitor’s perspective in the ARC/STSA newsletter, I thought it would be a good idea to write a short article from the perspective of the program. As a former ARC/STSA board member and current site visitor, I have spoken to many program directors over the years, and everyone has the same fears when they receive the dreaded letter/email stating your program’s visit is due for its on-site evaluation.
Being a full-time educator along with a student is not always the easiest, but it can be done. Since receiving the scholarship, I have been able to focus not only on my own education but also the education that I am giving my students.
The current CAAHEP Accreditation Standards for Surgical Technology were adopted in 2013 and include a Guideline related to Standard I.A. stating, “Projected for Aug. 1, 2021, all sponsoring institutions should award a minimum of an associate degree at the completion of the program.” What brought us to the 2013 Guideline language, and what will the CAAHEP process look like moving forward?
All surgical technology programs are crucially important to the profession, and maintaining unity among the 432 programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), whether certificate, diploma or associate degree, is foremost in the minds of the leadership.
Photos from the February AFE workshop.
This time last year, as a practicing CST, I was heading up an orthopedics excellence program at the hospital where I was working. I never would have imagined that a year later I would find myself as the program director of surgical technology at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas.
Serving as a site visitor for ARC/STSA has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career as a surgical technologist. I started my career as a surgical technologist in 1994 and would have never imagined that I would be where I am today or where my career would take me.
