Central Sterile Processing Technician

Want to work in healthcare but not directly with patients? Our Central Sterile Processing Technician program might be for you.

Central Sterile Processing Technicians (CSPT) are responsible for packaging surgical instruments in hospitals, medical offices, surgical centers and clinics. They are highly needed healthcare professionals who improve the quality of patient care by minimizing infection rates.

The CSPT program combines classroom and clinical experience, either online or on-ground, covering topics and skills including decontamination and sterilization processing, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, infection control and identification of surgical instruments.

Upon completion, students are eligible to take the certification exam through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution Inc. (CBSPD) National Certification. Certification is mandatory for employment.

In this course you'll learn how to:

• describe the decontamination and sterilization process
• discuss the various functional areas of a typical central sterile processing unit
• identify work hazards and importance of good communication skills
• identify the parts of the body and describe their function
• explain the transmission of microbes
• describe levels of disinfections and universal precautions
• discuss the various aspects for the prevention of the transmission of blood borne pathogens
• explain types and utilization of cleaning equipment used in a sterilization unit
• identify the grades of instrumentation and discuss the care and maintenance required
• demonstrate the cleaning and care technique for power equipment, heat sensitive items, and scoped instruments
• describe basic principles for packaging and containerizing instrument sets
• discuss the various types of quality control issues
• explain sterility maintenance and shelf-life techniques

Admission Requirements:

• Completed health form, signed by your physician (if clinical is included)
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, including booster (if clinical is included)
• GED/Diploma in order to sit for the national exam
• Criminal background check. Students who have a record of felonies or misdemeanors may be denied access to clinical training sites (if clinical is included).
  
  NOTE: Background checks are required for most allied health positions. Students with felony convictions may have difficulty obtaining employment in these fields.