Sterile Processing Technician
Sterile Processing Technician (Voucher Included)
Prepare for a career as a Sterile Processing Technician (SPT). This immersive course will train you to work as an SPT and prepare you for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification from the HSPA.
Register through ED2GO:
sterile-processing-technician-voucher-included
Overview
Sterile Processing Technicians (SPT), also known as Central Service Technicians, play a critical role in preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies. This online sterile processing technician certification course will train you to work as an SPT and prepares you for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). This course also includes a voucher which is prepaid access to sit for the certification exam upon eligibility.
With the support of an instructor, you will learn all the necessary steps required to perform the duties and tasks of an SPT. In this sterile processing technician training course, you will learn the details and expectations within the concepts of the role and gain proficiency in understanding the step-by-step requirements of the sterilization process.
The course also includes an opportunity to participate in an clinical experience.
Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must complete the online course successfully and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the clinical experience application process does not guarantee a placement. However, affiliated partnerships increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. COVID may be affecting the capacity of availability in your area.
Medical Equipment Preparers
Median Salary
The median salary in the New York metropolitan area is $49,540, in New York State $49,070, and $46,490 in the United States*.
Get StartedAlso called Central Service Technician (CST), Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician), Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) and Sterile Processing Technician (Sterile Processing Tech)
*Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (USBLS OEWS)
📈 Grow Rapidly
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
🚪 Openings
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Similar Courses
Sterile Processing Technician - Hybrid class
Program Description
The Sterile Processing Technician program prepares students to perform the essential functions of sterile processing in accordance with Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) standards. Sterile Processing Technicians play a critical role in patient safety by ensuring the proper decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of reusable surgical instruments, medical devices, and equipment used in healthcare settings.
This program provides students with a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) and aligns with HSPA competencies and recommended practices. Instruction emphasizes compliance with regulatory standards, quality assurance, and infection prevention protocols required in modern healthcare environments.
Key instructional areas include:
- Surgical Instrumentation: Identification, function, and handling of surgical instruments and specialty devices
- Decontamination and Sterilization Processes: Cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, and sterilization of surgical instrumentation in accordance with HSPA guidelines
- Movable Patient Care Equipment: Cleaning, testing, assembly, distribution, and documentation of patient care equipment
- Storage and Inventory Management: Proper storage, handling, distribution, inventory control, and tracking systems
- Medical Terminology and Microbiology: Anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and microbiology as they relate to sterile processing
- Infection Prevention and Safety: Decontamination, disinfection, standard precautions, and OSHA-compliant safety practices
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, learners will be able to apply HSPA standards, safety regulations, and infection prevention practices; explain relevant anatomy, physiology, and disease transmission; and demonstrate proper handling of medical waste, bloodborne pathogen precautions, and PPE use in compliance with OSHA standards. Graduates will also be able to perform quality decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization processes, and competently disassemble, inspect, assemble, store, and distribute surgical instruments and movable patient care equipment in accordance with industry standards.
Externship Opportunity
Eligible students will have the opportunity to complete a 400-hour externship with Northwell Health, providing hands-on, supervised experience in a hospital sterile processing environment. This externship allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings and supports eligibility for certification and employment readiness.
The following is required prior to the start date of clinical externship:
- Physical Exam Form must be completed by a physician and returned to Continuing Education upon the successful completion (passing grade) of the program. Please note these forms can be sent via Dropbox to emanafeeva@qcc.cuny.edu or delivered in-person to Queensborough Community College, Y-2
- Updated immunization data/titers: MMR, Varicella, Tdap, TB Screening, Hep B
- COVID card (Yes/No);
- Flu vaccine (current);
Certification Opportunities
Upon completion of the program and required hands-on experience, learners will be eligible to sit for the nationally recognized Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) certification exam:
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
Phlebotomy Technician
Pre-/Co-Requisites
AHX-100 Basic Cardiac Life Support (CPR)(Must be AHA CPR certification)
(8-hour American Heart Association for health care provider and professional rescuer, which includes adult, child, infant CPR, rescue breathing, and use of AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) course)
or valid AHA certification in this course.
Obtain the introductory skills to secure an entry-level position. Learn various methods of blood collection through venipuncture, capillary puncture and, existing intravascular devices. Emphasizes use of anticoagulants, the order of draw and, procedures for obtaining and processing specimens. Safety considerations for all health care professionals and patients discussed. Registrants should purchase stethoscope, B/P cuff and non-latex gloves.
The phlebotomist is a vital member of the clinical laboratory team, whose main function is to obtain patient's blood specimens by venipuncture and micro-collection for testing purposes. Phlebotomists are employed throughout the healthcare system including in hospitals, neighborhood health centers, medical group practices, HMO's, public health facilities, veteran hospitals, insurance carriers, and in other healthcare settings. The demand for phlebotomy technicians has increased substantially with the overall complexity of healthcare services and the risks of infectious disease. Current healthcare industry experts predict a 15% increase in phlebotomy jobs by 2024.
This program prepares learners to collect blood specimens from clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis. Learners will become familiar with all aspects of blood collection and will review the skills needed to perform venipunctures safely. Topics in this course include medical terminology, related anatomy and physiology, blood collection procedures, and procedures for collection of other types of specimens within the scope of practice of the phlebotomist.
Textbook-
Hartman's Complete Guide for the Phlebotomy Technician, 2e
ISBN 978-1604251654
Workbook-
Workbook for Hartman's Complete Guide for the Phlebotomy Technician 2e
ISBN 978- 1604251661
Patient Care Associate Program(PCA)
Patient Care Associates (previously known as Patient Care Technicians) are multi-disciplinary technical workers trained to provide basic nursing assistant care as well as other skilled functions. Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Clinics, Labs and doctors' Offices all employ Patient Care Technicians.
The disciplines included in the program at Queensborough Community College include Five core competencies:
- CPR- Basic Cardiac Life Support(AHX100) $175--(Must be AHA CPR certification) (8-hour American Heart Association for health care provider and professional rescuer, which includes adult, child, infant CPR, rescue breathing, and use of AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) course)
- Medical Terminology & Body Systems (MBX 126) $600 (Pre-requisite for EKG and Phlebotomy)
- EKG Technician(AHX170) $1,150
- Phlebotomy Technician(AHX171) $1,375
- Certified Nursing Assistant (NUX200) $1,650
Total: $4,950
Certified Nursing Assistant can not be taken in the same semester as EKG and Phlebotomy.
After completing the program students can take the certification exam from the NHA and become a Certified Patient Care Associate (CPCA).
You can register for these classes as you go or call the office at 718-631-6343 to enroll in the Program!
