In the preceding years, the California association of surgical technologist had been working hard to pass a legislation that would raise standards and recognize the title of over 9000 plus Surgical Technologist and Certified Surgical Technologists in the state.
The first bill, AB 2561, also known as the Certified Surgical Technologist Act was introduced and passed the California assembly on August 2012, but was immediately vetoed by the governor on September of the same year.
The bill is seeking title protection, which would make it unlawful for an individual to use the title “certified surgical technologist” unless the person meets a certain educational requirement and maintain certification.
It was then followed by another bill, AB 2062, introduced on February 2014, which passed unanimously and received concurrence vote in both houses. The bill with a certain exemption would prohibit health facilities from employing a surgical technologist unless the person possesses specified training and a certification. It would have also grandfathered current practicing surgical technologist and gives new graduates up to a year to become certified.
Unfortunately, the governor once again has chosen not to sign and vetoed the bill on September 2014. In his veto letter, the Governor expresses concern of the unnecessary barrier to employment if hospitals make certification as a hiring requirement.
Both bills were authored and introduced by Assembly Member Roger Hernandez (D), with the latest bill sponsored by the California State Council of Service Employees International Union (SEIU local 1000).
Currently, the surgical technologists in the state of California is the only members of the surgical team with no mandated minimum level of education, training, and certification, that is what Assembly Member Hernandez is pursuing to establish a minimum standard for the profession.
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