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.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook (with some ability for storage).

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online (optional)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

The following digital textbook for the Medical Terminology course is accessed via links in the course lessons:

• Comprehensive Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 1st Edition (eBook)

The following will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in Sterile Processing Technician:

• Sterile Processing Book Set, 9th Edition, comprised of the Sterile Processing Technical Manual, 9th Edition, and the Sterile Processing Workbook, 9th Edition, by HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM)

The following digital textbook for the Sterile Processing Technician course is accessed via links in the course lessons:

• Surgical Instrumentation (eBook)

The following materials will be shipped to you once the Release Agreement has been signed and returned:

• Surgical Instrumentation Kit (includes 10 items, intended for practice purposes only)

Sterile Processing Technicians (SPT), also known as Central Service Technicians or Certified Sterilization Technicians, play a critical role in preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies— and now is an excellent time to train for your sterile processing technician certification.

With the support of an instructor, you will learn all the necessary steps required to perform the duties and tasks of an SPT. Our online sterile processing course covers essential topics such as medical terminology, including vital systems like the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, as well as the lymphatic and immune systems, respiratory systems, digestive systems, urinary systems, and nervous systems. Students with prior knowledge of medical terminology can optionally test out by achieving a minimum score of 80%, replacing course content if desired. It is important to understand that this course feature only applies to the online Medical Terminology course.

Additionally, 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, like sterilization techniques, inventory management, and infection control.

This certified sterile processing technician course prepares you for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). This course includes an exam voucher, which is prepaid access to sit for the CRCST certification exam upon eligibility. The course also includes an opportunity to participate in a clinical experience.

Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience application process, you must successfully complete this online sterile processing technician certification course and ensure your account balances are current (at a minimum). It is important to note that ed2go cannot guarantee placement at any clinical site, and you must take full responsibility for fulfilling your clinical requirements. However, our affiliated partnerships can increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches your needs. You can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses.

Funding Disclaimer: For Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded students, please consult with your funding source representative before taking advantage of this course's test-out feature. Different funding programs may have specific requirements and/or restrictions. If you attempt the test-out feature(s) in the Medical Terminology course without getting approval, your funding benefits may be jeopardized.

1. Medical Terminology
1. Getting Started
2. How to Take This Course
3. Test-Out Exam 1: Lessons 1–Midterm Exam
4. Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body in Health and Disease
5. The Musculoskeletal System
6. The Cardiovascular System
7. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
8. The Respiratory System
9. The Digestive System
10. The Urinary System
11. Midterm
12. Test-Out Exam 2: Lessons 8–Final Exam
13. The Nervous System
14. Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
15. The Integumentary System
16. The Endocrine System
17. Mental Health
18. Male and Female Reproductive Systems
19. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary Medicine
20. Final Exam
2. Sterile Processing Technician
1. Introduction
2. Infection Control, Standards, and Regulations
3. Decontamination and Workplace Safety
4. Disinfection Process and Complex Instrumentation
5. Tray Assembly
6. Prep and Pack
7. Introduction to Sterilization
8. Introduction to Low-Temperature Sterilization
9. Instrumentation Identification (Part 1)
10. Instrumentation Identification (Part 2)
11. Case Cart Introduction
12. Sterile Storage
13. Managing Inventory
14. Ancillary Department Support
15. Important Components for a Successful Career
16. Wrapping Up and Preparing for Your Exam

What you will learn

• Define the sterile processor role, responsibilities, professional skill set, and communication expectations (including accurate use of medical terminology and anatomy) required in the central processing and surgical services departments
• Identify sterile processing regulations and standards provided by regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure workplace safety, infection prevention, and proper support for the ancillary departments
• Discuss basic procedures and best practices for each phase of sterile processing, including decontamination, inspection, preparation, and sterilization of medical instruments and supplies
• Review sterile storage considerations, guidelines, concerns, and common quality assurance procedures in the sterile processing department
• Understand the importance of following procedures to care for loaner instruments and manage inventory while using information management systems
• Describe how to adhere to compliance when handling documentation and maintaining records
• Explain the importance of effective communication, human relations, and personal development and how improving these skills can impact the career of a sterile processing technician

How you will benefit

• You will have full comprehension and understanding of all tasks related to the role and responsibilities of an SPT
• Assistance from our Clinical Experience Team and access to our Clinical Experience Guide
• You will be prepared to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification offered through Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). A voucher is available upon eligibility

Janice Brownlee

Janice "Jan" Brownlee has been a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) for 43 years and has worked in all sizes of hospitals, including surgery centers. Jan worked in a sterile processing department in the instrument room and sterile supply areas. While working in the operating room, she scrubbed all services, with cardiothoracic, vascular, and orthopedics being her favorites.

Jan also had the opportunity to work for a private group of cardiothoracic surgeons and expand her knowledge and skills even more. Working as a surgical first assistant was the highlight of her career. She has continued her career path by teaching surgical technology and sterile processing at a local community college and enjoys watching her students learn and grow.

Naydeen Pollak

Naydeen Pollak has been a Certified Surgical Technologist for 37 years, working in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and clinics. When not in surgery, she assisted the sterile processing department and various areas of the sterile supply chain while working at the hospitals.

During her career, Naydeen has had the opportunity to work for several private groups of surgeons as a surgical first assistant in surgery and their clinics, expanding her knowledge and skills. She has continued her career by becoming an educator, locally teaching surgical technology at a university and sterile processing at a community college on campus. She is thankful for opportunities to share her knowledge and experiences with students to help them on their journey of learning.

Medical Terminology Instructors

Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors. See here for a full list of these instructors.