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Chapter 246-939 WAC

Last Update: 12/23/20

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST PROGRAM

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF246-939-005What is the purpose of these rules?
HTMLPDF246-939-010Who can delegate to a surgical technologist?
HTMLPDF246-939-020How do I register as a surgical technologist?
HTMLPDF246-939-030Who needs to be registered as a surgical technologist?
HTMLPDF246-939-040How do I renew my surgical technologist registration if it has expired?
HTMLPDF246-939-050Are there tasks a surgical technologist is not allowed to do?
HTMLPDF246-939-990Surgical technologists—Fees and renewal cycle.

PDF246-939-005

What is the purpose of these rules?

These rules:
(1) Implement the law passed by the legislature to register surgical technologists and place them under chapter 18.130 RCW, the Uniform Disciplinary Act.
(2) Inform the public of who must register under this law.
(3) Inform applicants and registrants of the type of actions that can lead to discipline against their credential.
(4) Inform applicants of their recourse in the event their application is denied.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.215 RCW and RCW 18.130.050 and 18.215.040. WSR 01-14-044, § 246-939-005, filed 6/29/01, effective 7/30/01.]


PDF246-939-010

Who can delegate to a surgical technologist?

Health care practitioners who may delegate as referenced in RCW 18.215.010 and include:
(1) Physicians licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW.
(2) Registered nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW.
(3) Osteopathic physicians licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW.
(4) Osteopathic physician assistants licensed under chapter 18.57A RCW.
(5) Podiatric physicians licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW.
(6) Dentists licensed under chapter 18.32 RCW.
(7) Physician's assistants and physician's assistant surgical assistants licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW.
(8) Naturopathic physicians as licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.215 RCW and RCW 18.130.050. WSR 00-23-119, § 246-939-010, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]


PDF246-939-020

How do I register as a surgical technologist?

(1) How do I obtain a registration application?
(a) Applicant may obtain an application by contacting the department. Applicants must return the completed application to be registered.
(b) Completed original applications shall be sent to the department of health.
(c) All applicants shall refer to chapter 246-12 WAC, Parts 1, 2, 10, and 11.
(2) Is there a requirement for education? Registration does not require additional education.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.19.050, 18.29.130, 18.29.210, 18.34.120, 18.46.060, 18.55.095, 18.84.040, 18.88B.060, 18.89.050, 18.130.050, 18.138.070, 18.155.040, 18.200.050, 18.205.060, 18.215.040, 18.230.040, 18.240.050, 18.250.020, 18.290.020, 18.360.030, 18.360.070, 70.41.030, 70.230.020, 71.12.670, and 18.108.085. WSR 21-02-002, § 246-939-020, filed 12/23/20, effective 1/23/21. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.215 RCW and RCW 18.130.050 and 18.215.040. WSR 01-14-044, § 246-939-020, filed 6/29/01, effective 7/30/01.]


PDF246-939-030

Who needs to be registered as a surgical technologist?

(1) Anyone representing themselves as a surgical technologist by title or by description as a person who performs tasks in the surgical setting under the delegation of authority of a licensed health care practitioner.
(2) For the purposes of this chapter "surgical setting" means any place surgery takes place where the patient is placed in a sterile field.
(3) Surgical technologists perform tasks that typically consist of, but are not limited to, the following tasks in a surgical setting:
(a) Prepare basic sterile packs and trays.
(b) Assist with the physical preparation of the operating room, creating the sterile field, and maintaining sterile technique during operative procedure.
(c) Identify and select appropriate packs, trays and accessory/specialty equipment for each surgery.
(d) Prepare supplies and instruments for sterile field.
(e) Assists with the count of instruments, sponges, needles and other surgical items. Surgical technologists are not accountable for the final count of surgical instrumentation.
(f) Pass correct instruments, supplies and sutures as needed by the surgeon.
(g) Sponge or suction the operative site, retract tissue for exposure at the operative site and assist with irrigation under immediate supervision of the licensed health care practitioner.
(h) Cut sutures placed by the authorized health care practitioner.
(i) Prepare specimens for submission for pathological analysis.
(j) Fire automatic staple gun as directed by the licensed health care practitioner for skin stapling. Deep tissue stapling is not allowed.
(k) Move drugs to the sterile field.
(4) Registered nurses, practical nurses and other credentialed providers acting within their scope do not need to register.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.215 RCW and RCW 18.130.050. WSR 00-23-119, § 246-939-030, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]


PDF246-939-040

How do I renew my surgical technologist registration if it has expired?

(1) If the credential has expired for three years or less, the practitioner must meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
(2) If the credential has expired for more than three years, the practitioner must reapply for registration under the requirements of this chapter and the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.215 RCW and RCW 18.130.050 and 18.215.040. WSR 01-14-044, § 246-939-040, filed 6/29/01, effective 7/30/01.]


PDF246-939-050

Are there tasks a surgical technologist is not allowed to do?

Tasks that shall not be performed by a surgical technologist include:
(1) Activities that constitute the practice of medicine under the Medical Practice Act in RCW 18.71.011 including: Prescribing or administering; penetrating or severing tissue, including, but not limited to, suturing and cutting/incisions, regardless of instrumentality.
(2) Dispensing medications, as defined in RCW 18.64.011 and 69.41.010.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.215 RCW and RCW 18.130.050. WSR 00-23-119, § 246-939-050, filed 11/22/00, effective 12/23/00.]


PDF246-939-990

Surgical technologists—Fees and renewal cycle.

(1) Registration must be renewed every year on registrant's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for registration:
Title of Fee
Fee
Application for registration
$70.00
Renewal of registration
65.00
Registration late fee
60.00
Duplicate registration
30.00
Expired registration reissuance
40.00
Certification of registration
30.00
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.110, 43.70.250, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 50. WSR 11-20-092, § 246-939-990, filed 10/4/11, effective 12/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250, [43.70.]280 and 43.70.110. WSR 05-12-012, § 246-939-990, filed 5/20/05, effective 7/1/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.215 RCW. WSR 99-24-097, § 246-939-990, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99.]
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