CS for SB 362                              First Engrossed (ntc)
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       2012362e1
       
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to surgical technology; amending s.
    3         395.0191, F.S.; requiring licensed facilities to
    4         establish policies and procedures for the employment
    5         of surgical technologists; providing a definition;
    6         providing educational and credentialing requirements;
    7         providing exceptions; providing an effective date.
    8  
    9  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   10  
   11         Section 1. Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (2) of
   12  section 395.0191, Florida Statutes, to read:
   13         395.0191 Staff membership and clinical privileges.—
   14         (2)
   15         (e) Each licensed facility shall establish policies and
   16  procedures for the employment of surgical technologists.
   17         1. For purposes of this paragraph, “surgical technologist”
   18  means a person who assists and practices under the supervision
   19  of a surgeon to ensure that the operating room environment is
   20  safe, that proper equipment is available, and that the operative
   21  procedure is conducted efficiently, provided that nothing in
   22  this subparagraph alters or affects any other law related to the
   23  supervision of surgical technologists. Surgical technologist
   24  duties include, but are not limited to, maintaining sterility
   25  during a surgical procedure, handling and ensuring the
   26  availability of necessary equipment and supplies, and
   27  maintaining visibility of the operative site.
   28         2. The licensed facility may consider for such employment
   29  only a person who:
   30         a. Has successfully completed a surgical technologist
   31  training program accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health
   32  Education Schools or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
   33  Health Education Programs; and
   34         b. Holds certification as a surgical technologist from an
   35  organization recognized by the National Commission for
   36  Certifying Agencies. Such certification must be maintained
   37  throughout employment at the facility;
   38  
   39  unless the licensed facility continuously employs a person who
   40  is working as a surgical technologist on October 1, 2012, or
   41  uses a licensed practitioner subject to chapter 456 or a student
   42  as a surgical technologist, and such practitioner or student is
   43  appropriately trained and only performs duties within his or her
   44  scope of practice.
   45         Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2012.