HEAL D0023 - Sterile Processing Technician
Course Description
Sterile Processing Technicians (central service technicians) play a vital role in the health and well-being of patients. These technicians help to prevent infections in healthcare setting by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies. Learn to provide effective infection control practices, quality control, and an introduction to the strict regulatory compliance and standards that affect the Central Sterile Processing department. Gain the foundational knowledge in aseptic technique, sterilization techniques, infection control requirements, and a basic knowledge of medical/surgical procedure and terminology.
This class prepares qualified students to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam. Once you pass the international certification exam governed by Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), you will receive a?provisional certification.
To obtain full certification, 400 hours of hands-on experience at an approved medical facility are required within 6 months of passing the exam to obtain CRCST status. Documentation of the completed hours of hands-on experience must be submitted to HSPA prior to the six-month expiration date for full certification. The College is unable to directly help with this hands-on training. We recommend that you look into where you might be able to earn these hours before enrolling.
Course Outline
- Introduction to Central Services and the role of the Sterile Processing Technician (Central Service Technician)
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology for Central Service
- Regulations and Standards
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Tools for Cleaning
- Decontamination
- Point of Use Preparation and Transport
- Cleaning and Decontamination
- Disinfection
- Surgical Instrumentation
- Complex Surgical Instruments
- Sterile Packing and Storage
- Point of Use Processing
- High Temperature Sterilization
- Low Temperature Sterilization
- Inventory Management
- Management of Patient Care Equipment
- Tracking Systems
- Quality Assurance
- Safety
- Communication and Human Relations Skills
- Sterile Processing for Ambulatory Surgery and other Practices
Learner Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop participants will:
- Understand the role of the sterile processing technician (central service technician)
- Knowledge of basic microbiology, human anatomy, and physiology
- Knowledge of Central Service terminology
- Ability to describe methods of sterilization
- Understand how to evaluate infection control, decontamination, and terminal sterilization
- Understand how to sterilize, clean, process, assemble, store, and distribute medical supplies
- Describe safety and legal aspects involved in the care of patients in a surgical environment
- Identify and describe common surgical instruments
- Have an understanding of the importance of quality control and monitoring work areas as it relates to Central Service operations
- Understand basic rules for medical center communications including the role of information technology and telecommunications
Notes
Materials Required:
Handouts provided by instructor
