Where To Take Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program
Many schools now are offering Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program to those who are interested to become a Sterilization Technician.
Here are the Schools that offer Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program and the complete details of the courses offered:
1. American Institute of Medical Sciences and Education (AIMS)
Photo Credit: AIMS
Sterile Processing Technician Program Details
The Sterile Processing Technician certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills required to work as an entry-level sterile processing technician (also known as a surgical processing technician or central service technician).
The primary responsibility of a sterile processing tech is to ensure that a clean and sterile healthcare environment is maintained at all times. This is primarily achieved through the process of decontaminating and sterilizing all surgical instrumentation and equipment.
Students enrolled in this program will learn various sterilization techniques, including the proper method for decontaminating and sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment. They will also gain a solid understanding of microbiology and infection control.
Other topics covered in this program include surgical terminology, human anatomy, surgical instrumentation, sterile processing, and safety & risk management. Students will also learn about federal and state guidelines, including HIPAA.
The training includes a combination of didactic and lab hours, as well as a 400-hour clinical internship. AIMS Education has a dedicated surgical lab that provides the perfect environment to train students and allow them to practice their psychomotor skills.
The practical experience gained during the clinical internship will help reinforce those skills. At the conclusion of the internship, all AIMS graduates will be required to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam offered by IAHCSMM.
Clinical Internship
The Sterile Processing Technician program requires students to complete a mandatory 400-hour clinical internship. Students will be placed at a clinical site by the AIMS Internship Department. The internship is designed to provide practical training in a real work environment; students will have a mentor who trains and guides them. Students are not permitted to begin the internship until all required classroom and lab hours are completed.
AIMS Education has clinical affiliations with numerous healthcare facilities throughout New Jersey and the surrounding areas. Students will be placed at one or more of these affiliated sites and must complete their clinical hours based on the schedule provided by the school. Internship schedules are based on the availability of clinical sites. All students (Day and Evening) must be prepared to complete their internship during normal business hours (Monday through Friday). The majority of clinical sites do not allow students to complete clinical hours in the evening or on the weekend.
Employment for Sterile Processing Technicians
Sterile processing techs are employed in the Sterile Processing, Central Supply, and Sterile Supply Departments of hospitals. Employment opportunities can also be found in surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and physicians’ offices. Some employment possibilities include sterile processing technician, central supply technician, and central service manager.
Certification / Registry Exam Eligibility
Sterile Processing Technician graduates will be eligible to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam offered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). Graduates who pass the exam will earn the CRCST credential.
Eligibility requirements for the CRCST credential are solely determined by IAHCSMM, and are subject to change at any time. IAHCSMM is an independent organization. AIMS does not guarantee certification/registry exam eligibility.
Program Length
- 650 clock hours
- Classroom instruction and lab – 250 hours
- Clinical internship – 400 hours
- The day program can be completed in approximately 9 months.
- The evening program can be completed in approximately 11 months.
Comprehensive Education and Training
- Surgical Terminology
- Human Anatomy
- Surgical Instrumentation
- Sterile Processing
- Microbiology
- Infection Control
- Safety & Risk Management
Employment Opportunities
- Sterile Processing Technician
- Surgical Processing Technician
- Central Service Technician
- Central Sterile Technician
- Central Supply Technician
- Processing Technician
Minimum Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (administered at AIMS)
Contact Information
- AIMS Main Campus
4500 New Brunswick Ave.
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Telephone : (908) 222-0002
Fax : (908) 450-6111
- AIMS PE Building
4500 New Brunswick Ave.
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Telephone : (908) 222-0002, Ext. 202
Fax : (908) 450-6111
(Map View)
- AIMS Edison Center
2672 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08837
Telephone : (908) 222-0002, Ext. 401
Fax : (908) 450-6111
Source: Click here to see the Sterile Processing Technician Program Outline at the American Institute of Medical Sciences and Education (AIMS).
2. Pima Medical Institute (PMI)
What Is a Sterile Processing Technician?
A sterile processing technician maintains the cleanliness, functionality and inventory of healthcare instrumentation and equipment.
What Does a Sterile Processing Technician Do?
As a sterile processing technician, you are responsible for sterilizing instrumentation and equipment through a series of critical steps. Your work ensures that patients avoid infections and that doctors, nurses and allied health professionals are able to access the instrumentation and equipment they need immediately.
What Will I Learn With This Training?
You will gain hands-on experience taking courses in our real-world lab during the very first semester and learn to:
- sterilize instrumentation and equipment through a series of critical steps
- understand microbiology and infection control as it pertains to sterile processing and decontamination procedures
- implement infection control practices to ensure that patients avoid infections
- provide instrumentation and equipment access to doctors, nurses and allied health professionals as required
What Career Opportunities Does a Sterile Processing Technician Have?
- Clean, disinfect and distribute sterilized instrumentation and equipment to an emergency department, intensive care unit, the labor and delivery unit, operating room and other areas of health care facilities.
- Work in a sterile processing department and central service department setting.
- Contribute to a team of sterile processing technicians who are all working together to maintain sterilization and storage.
- Find employment in various settings, including hospitals, dental or eye care practices, plastic surgery offices, surgery centers and laboratories.
- Take the central sterile processing exam offered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). This program is based on the IAHCSMM certification, CRCST.
How Do I Apply for Sterile Processing Technician Program at PMI?
Visit a PMI campus and see for yourself what student life at Pima Medical is all about. You’ll see firsthand, the real-world lab classrooms and get to speak with instructors and current students.
Plus, you’ll meet with a medical career specialist who can walk you through the entire enrollment process. With their help, you’ll find the perfect program fit for you based on your goals and interests.
Click here to fill out this online form to get started at PMI.
Program Requirements
How Long is the Program?
Program Length: Approximately 9 months
Curriculum: What Classes Do I Need to Take to Become a Sterile Processing Technician?
Here are just a few classes you will take during the Sterile Processing Technician program:
- Anatomy, Physiology and Terminology
- Surgical Instruments
- Microbiology and Infection Control
- Sterilization Procedures and Practice
- Decontamination Procedures and Practice
- Medical Equipment
- Surgical Terminology
Where Can I Take a Sterile Processing Technician Program Near Me?
- PMI Phoenix, Arizona
- PMI Denver, Colorado
- PMI Albuquerque West-Rio Rancho
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