Site Evaluators

Thank you for your interest in serving as a site evaluator with the ARC/STSA. Our site evaluators fill a vital role in the accreditation process. Learn more about joining our highly knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated team of volunteers below.

“Serving as a site visitor is my opportunity to give back to the profession that I love.  The experience allows me to contribute to surgical technology education while learning from other programs in the process. The knowledge I have gained has allowed me to incorporate different ideas and creative teaching techniques to further strengthen my own program.”

Surgical Technology Program Director and Site Visit Chair

Becoming a Site Evaluator

Purpose

The function of the site evaluator is to review and assess compliance with CAAHEP’s Standards and Guidelines, program outcomes, and how non-compliance with Standards and Guidelines is being addressed. The evaluator’s responsibility is to clarify and verify information provided by the program in its application and self‐study or Annual Reports. The observations submitted in the team’s Confidential Report allow the ARC/STSA to determine the extent to which the program complies with CAAHEP’s Standards and Guidelines.

Qualifications

Qualified individuals, knowledgeable about the field of surgical technology (ST) or surgical assisting (SA) and the education process, are eligible to serve as a Site Evaluator. Credentials/roles held by qualified Site Evaluators include:

  • Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
  • Certified First Assistant (CSFA)
  • Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA)
  • Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting Program Directors, Clinical Coordinators or faculty members of CAAHEP‐accredited programs
  • Allied health Deans

A professional surgical technology or surgical assisting consultant may only be eligible to serve as an evaluator six months after the last paid consulting job.

To maintain active status as a Site Evaluator, an individual must:

  1. Complete at least one visit every 16 months;
  2. Attend an SE update/training yearly (virtual or on-ground); and,
  3. If with a CAAHEP accredited program, the program must be in good standing.

Application Process & Submission

Interested in joining the ARC/STSA Site Evaluator class of 2025?

1. Register
• Register for the complementary Site Evaluator training workshop offered at AccredX, November 6, 2025-click here to visit the AccredX page to register.

• Site Evaluator Applications are due by August 1, 2025.

2. Complete the ARCSTSA Site Evaluator Application
• Before beginning your application, have the following documents available:

*Current Resume

*Proof of attendance at an AFE workshop within the past three years or evidence of registration for upcoming training.

*Proof of attendance at a Site Evaluator Training workshop within the past three years or evidence of registration for upcoming training.

*Proof of completion of the CAAHEP Site Evaluator Quiz
Click here to access the CAAHEP Site Visitor Quiz

• Click here to access the Site Evaluator Application and completion instructions

3. Attend a Site Evaluator Training Workshop

• This training will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to evaluate a site properly as well as understand the overall evaluation process.

*The workshop is currently being offered as a live event during the AccredX conference.

4. Complete an observation visit (minimum of one)

• Participate in an observation visit. This hands-on experience will give you practical insight and prepare you for conducting site evaluations as a site evaluator.