SP 3000
Sterile Processing Technician
Gain industry certification as a Sterile Processing Technician and ultimately work in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics and other healthcare facilities.
Program Overview
Certifications earned
A typical hospital uses (and reuses) tens of thousands of medical instruments every month. Although some supplies are disposable, many are not. The reusable supplies come with their own special instructions for proper cleaning and maintenance. Sterile Processing Technicians (SPTs) prepare surgical instruments and devices. They clean, inspect, test, sterilize, store and deliver devices needed for surgery in a healthcare facility. Other job duties may include, verifying and accurately documenting missing instruments, recording sterilizer test results, ensuring each instrument is in good working order prior to placing in-tray for use, operating and maintaining steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads complete, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed, make recommendations to management for possible improvement, and effectively communicate with operating room personnel and others.
- Identify central service workflows processes from cleaning, decontamination, preparation and packaging to sterilization and storage of surgical instruments and equipment
- Describe the importance of manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU), infection control and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout central service areas and their impact on personnel and patient safety
- Differentiate methods for quality control and assurance and the necessity of central service process documentation
- Discuss compliance standards and the role of HIPAA, OSHA, CDC, FDA, ANSI, AAMI and other regulating agencies
What You’ll Learn – SP 3000 Sterile Processing Technician
The MedCerts online Sterile Processing program prepares students to gain industry certification and ultimately to work in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics and other healthcare facilities.
This program includes three courses – Intro to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology, Professionalism in Allied Health, and Sterile Processing – to prepare students to become well-rounded Sterile Processing Technicians. Because graduates will be working in a healthcare facility, it is imperative that they be able to speak and understand the language of medicine and have a fundamental understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology. Additionally, any role in healthcare requires the ability to work with a variety of personalities, including patients, doctors and medical staff. Our Professionalism in Allied Health program prepares you to handle any of these interactions. Because sterile processing tasks, by nature, typically involve hands-on interaction, it’s important for MedCerts to place increased focus on immersion and a high level of interactivity. Our students will feel as though they are part of the process, and that their physical actions are playing a vital role in their learning.
Upon completion of this program, the student will be eligible to sit for the provisional certification exam for Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) sponsored by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA, formerly IAHCSMM). Full certification is obtained after acquiring 400 hours of hands-on sterile processing experience within six months of provisional certification.
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Find your next careerSome MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment and ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
These restrictions may not apply to students taking programs through an employer, academic or government-sponsored model – including MyCAA and Army, Air Force or Coast Guard. Credentialing Assistance. To determine eligibility, please confirm with your sponsor or review our military spouse MyCAA-approved or Military Credentialing Assistance-approved programs
Program Details
- High School Diploma or GED
- Web browser with internet connection
- Course registration & payment
- Expert-led video based training
- Textbook: Central Service Technician Manual
- Competency assessments
- National Certification exam fee
*The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by MedCerts. They are not included in the tuition costs and are provided at no additional cost to students. However, students have access to these materials for a limited time frame aligned with their program. Access to these materials outside of this period is not guaranteed, and students may be responsible for costs associated with any extended access.
- Dedicated Student Success Advisors
- Tailored support based on performance & behavior
- Exam preparation process
- 1 yr. post-program access to Career Center & Career Coaches
- Must complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a CS (Central Services) department within 6 months/180 days.
Career Outlook
Sterile Processing Technician
Job Opportunities
openings in the US
potential
Tuition Cost
Sterile Processing Technician Training Online
Monthly, weekly and bi-weekly payment plan options are available. These payment plans include a 3.5% fee per transaction. Students who choose to pay in full will not be charged the transaction fee.
Active Duty Military Grants
MedCerts accepts education benefits from the Department of Defense for Active Duty Army, Coast Guard and Air Force.
Military Spouse Grants
Spouses of Active Duty Service Members in certain ranks may be eligible for assistance up to $2,000 per fiscal year.
Workforce Grants
MedCerts partners with American Job Centers in 30+ states and accepts Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other workforce grant funding.
FAQs
FAQs for MedCerts’ Online Sterile Processing Technician Certification Training Program
A Sterile Processing Technician is a professional responsible for the decontamination, inspection, packaging, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical devices. They ensure that all reusable medical supplies used in surgeries and other medical procedures are cleaned and sterilized according to industry standards and regulations.
The career outlook for Sterile Processing Technicians is positive, with an expected job growth of 8% over the next ten years. This growth is driven by the increasing need for healthcare services and the critical role of infection prevention in healthcare settings.
The average salary for a Sterile Processing Technician is $44,940. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and the specific healthcare facility.
To start your career journey as a Sterile Processing Technician, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a formal training program such as MedCerts, pass the CRCST exam offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, and complete a minimum of 400 hours of hands-on experience in the following areas within 6 months of passing the CRCST exam
- Decontamination (120 hours)
- Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
- Preparing and Storing Instruments (120 hours)
- Storage and Distribution (24 hours)
- Sterilization and Disinfection (96 hours)
- Equipment (16 hours)
In the online Sterile Processing Technician certification training program, you will learn:
- Central service workflow processes from cleaning and decontamination to sterilization and storage.
- The importance of following the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU), infection control and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Methods for quality control, assurance and the necessity of process documentation.
- Compliance standards and the role of regulating agencies like HIPAA, OSHA, CDC, FDA, ANSI and AAMI.
To enroll in the MedCerts Sterile Processing Technician program, you will need a high school diploma or GED, a web browser with an internet connection and course registration & payment.
The cost of the Sterile Processing Technician training program is $4,000. The cost includes all of your materials and certification exam fees for the CRCST examination.
MedCerts offers various payment plans for the Sterile Processing Technician certification training program, in order to make education accessible for all. These include options for monthly payment plans as low as $346 and several government grant funding options.
While MedCerts does not offer financial aid, students may be eligible for options through government grant-funded programs like:
The online Sterile Processing Technician certification class should be completed in 14 weeks if committing 15-20 hrs of coursework per week.
The Sterile Processing Technician program is structured around expert-led video training, textbooks and competency assessments. It includes interactive simulations and a high level of interactivity to ensure students are well-prepared for their roles. The program is designed to cater to different learning styles, ensuring a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of surgical technology
Yes, the program includes a strategic exam preparation process and dedicated Student Success Advisors to provide tailored support based on performance.
The MedCerts online Sterile Processing Technician certification training program includes expert-led video training, competency assessments and MedCerts-covered materials including the national certification exam fee. Students also receive support from dedicated Student Success Advisors and Career Services Advisors on behalf of Student Services.
Some MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment and ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
We’re not institutionally accredited as a training provider, but the certification you’ll earn in this program is accredited through the exam-issuing authority, the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. So while our school itself doesn’t hold accreditation, you’ll earn an accredited certification upon passing your national exam.
Upon completion of this program, students wishing to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician exam will be required to complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in the following areas within 6 months of passing the CRCST exam. Certifications are issued once the exam(s) have been passed and clinical requirements are met. Students are responsible for locating and securing a site to fulfill the clinical requirements of the program. MedCerts does not guarantee or provide clinical sites for students, but resources are available for students to use in their search
- Decontamination (120 hours)
- Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
- Preparing and Storing Instruments (120 hours)
- Storage and Distribution (24 hours)
- Sterilization and Disinfection (96 hours)
- Equipment (16 hours)
In order to receive the CRCST certification, the HSPA requires students to complete 400 hours of hands on experience in a Central Services department within six months of passing the exam. Click here to view the specific requirements.
Disclaimers
- Students residing in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Tennessee – these states require that Central Service Technicians become certified within a state-mandated period of time after employment (range from 1.5 – 3 years). This is NOT a barrier to enrollment for students but should be reviewed with an Education Consultant at the time of enrollment.
- While MedCerts training and related target certifications may be accepted and/or approved by your state of residency, employers reserve the right to dictate prerequisite education, experience, or certification/licensure requirements for their positions. We strongly advise students to research target job posts from area employers and relevant state requirements, barriers, or restrictions prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility upon graduation.
