Sterile Processing Technician is a one term program that presents the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a hospital’s Central Supply or Sterile Processing Department. Students will develop skills necessary to properly disinfect, prepare, process, store and issue both sterile and nonsterile supplies and equipment for patient care. Also, students will learn to operate sterilizing units and monitor effectiveness of the sterilization process. The learning environment consists of the campus classroom and laboratory.
Graduates will receive a certificate and may be eligible to apply to take the National Institute for Certification of Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Personnel Examination (CBSPD). Employment opportunities include surgery centers, dialysis facilities, and central processing units in hospitals.
Although the program is not eligible for Federal Financial Aid, there are some possible outside funding options (i.e. VA, DVR, institutional funding, etc.). For more information go to http://www.cnm.edu/depts/financial-aid.
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities include surgery centers, dialysis facilities, and central processing units and central supply departments in hospitals.
Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses
Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.