Dear Sirs, 

The requirements for credentials for surgical first assistants are worthwhile qualifications are essential for our industry to endure. I applaud the Virginia legislature wanting to establish credential requirements for surgical assistants as well as delineate the vital job functions and duties performed by these highly trained clinical specialists.

Note that there are three national credentialing bodies for surgical assistants in the U.S.:The American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA), The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and The National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistant (NCCSA). All three provide comprehensive certifying exams to maintain a level of surgical professionalism; however, the ABSA is not included in the Virginian proposed regulation. Was this overlooked or is it a biased decision?

Florida and Illinois have established surgical assistant associations and both recognize the ABSA as a certifying body. In fact, the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority website features information about the surgical assistant career and lists the ABSA as valid source. The state of Texas has the largest concentration of surgical assistants in the nation and not only recognizes SA-C, CSA and CSFA credentials but also the LSA (Licensed Surgical Assistant) credential, which are governed by the Texas Medical Board. 

Again, I commend the State of Virginia for identifying the importance of the surgical assistant role, but I strongly advise including all three organizations as accepted certification bodies in order for Virginian assistants to be considered on par with other nationally recognized clinical professionals.

Respectfully,

Mary C. Valentine, CSA, LSA

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