NY A09303

Establishes certification and qualification standards for surgical technologists in New York hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers, requiring either national certification, military training, or employment as a surgical technologist prior to the effective date.

Requires surgical technologists to complete 15 hours of continuing education annually to maintain qualification and practice surgical technology in health care facilities.

Allows a 12-month grace period for individuals who have completed a surgical technology program to work while obtaining required certification, after which certification must be maintained.

Permits health care facilities to employ non-qualified surgical technologists for up to two years if they demonstrate diligent recruitment efforts and the employee commits to meeting requirements within that timeframe.

Takes effect on the first day of the eighteenth month after enactment and grants the Department of Health enforcement authority and the Commissioner rulemaking authority over surgical technologist standards.