FL S0360

Defines "certified surgical assistant" as someone holding one of three certifications: Certified Surgical First Assistant (National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting), Certified Surgical Assistant (National Surgical Assistant Association), or Surgical Assistant-Certified (American Board of Surgical Assistants).

Defines "certified surgical technologist" as someone maintaining valid certification as a Certified Surgical Technologist from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Requires health care facilities to employ or contract only certified surgical assistants to perform surgical assistant duties and only certified surgical technologists to perform surgical technologist duties, effective July 1, 2013.

Exempts from certification requirements: persons employed or contracted between January 1, 2013 and July 1, 2013; licensed health care practitioners and students performing duties within their scope of practice; and students in accredited surgical technology or assisting programs who have 1 year after program completion to obtain certification.