Online Surgical/Sterile Technician Certification Training - MedCerts

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ST 9000

Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician

Online Certification Training

Combine the duties of Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing for a comprehensive healthcare career. This program has additional enrollment requirements. Please review these requirements and ensure eligibility prior to submitting information.

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24  Weeks
Program Length
Certifications
$34,751
Avg. Starting Salary*
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Issuing Authorities

This program is NOT available to residents of the following states: CT, CO, NJ, PA, ID, IL, MA, NV, NY, ND, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, RI

Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region of residence or 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. To determine eligibility, please confirm with your sponsor.

Is Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician Training Right For You? Take The MedCerts Online Career Training Readiness Quiz

This fun, online quiz takes just 3 minutes to complete and provides you with a personalized report to find out if short-term online career training is right for you. The report identifies your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.

Surgical/Sterile Processing Tech Online Training

MedCerts Tuition Advantage

We believe everyone should have access to higher education. With the option to pay in full, break down payments or utilize government grant funding, we help expand that access.

Monthly Payment Options as low as $363 Payment Plans for Every Student

Talk with an Education Consultant to pick the perfect payment plan, from paying in full to installments with interest rates from 0-12%.

Total Tuition $6,000 Pay in Full

The total tuition can be paid immediately or through a number of grant-funded or monthly payment plan options

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No Credit Check

Discover your eligibility without a credit check.

The pricing listed above for a monthly payment plan is an estimate for the cost of an 18-month payment plan including down payment. Final pricing is given at time of purchase and may vary from both pricing examples above.

MyCAA, Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance/COOL and Workforce Grants

MedCerts offers financial aid options through these government grant-funded programs – MyCAA, Workforce Funding (including WIOA), and Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance or COOL funding for the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. Those eligible include Military Spouses; active duty Army, Reserves, and National Guard members; active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air Force National Guard, and US Space Force; active duty Coast Guard and SELRES members (enlisted and officers); or workforce-funded qualifying job seekers. Speak to an Education Consultant to see if you qualify.

What does a Surgical/Sterile Processing Tech do?

A Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician receives, documents, packages, sterilizes, stores, and/or issues instruments, equipment, and supplies for patient care. In addition to the sterile processing responsibilities, the technician must also be able to assist in the care of patients of all ages before, during, and after surgical procedures by performing scrub duties and related functions as a member of the surgical team. The technician maintains patient safety, privacy, and confidentiality, and complies with legal aspects of patient care. The technician complies with sterilization standards for handling sharp or contaminated instruments.

69,422
Entry Level Jobs in the US
Surgical Technologists will see available jobs grow 9% over the next ten years.
All available job and salary information is from Burning Glass Labor Insights and is updated annually to reflect industry changes.

What You’ll Learn
ST 9000
Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician

The Surgical/Sterile Processing Tech program is ideal for individuals who are meticulous and who desire to be part of a highly skilled team in a growing field. To be successful, individuals must be able to work in stressful and emergency situations. They must be able to act quickly and accurately, and work well with other people. Because of the physical requirements of the job, techs must generally have strong manual dexterity and physical stamina.

The standard for performance in the operating room is set high, and there is little to no tolerance for careless mistakes or inattentiveness. Surgical Technologists, along with all other operating room personnel, must be able to learn to manage stress and thrive within these expectations. While much of this is gained from experience, solid organizational skills are required from day one. The surgical technologist must be able to remain focused and attentive to details. Above all, teamwork and professionalism are an absolute must.

This program is designed for those that might be new to the field, or for experienced hospital/surgical staff seeking a career change, upskilling, (re)certification, or higher earning power. Because every hospital or surgical center in the U.S. has a need for this role, there are ample opportunities in most geographic areas.

This program prepares students to become Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). After passing the TS-C exam, full certification is obtained after a documented 125 surgical cases have been performed. Professionals who earn the NCT designation have the clinical skills and knowledge for maintaining asepsis during surgery, anticipating the surgeon’s needs, and remaining attentive to all aspects of the surgical procedure to ensure a safe environment for the patient. Students will also be prepared to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam, through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) to earn Sterile Processing Technician certification.

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  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the soft skill expectations of an allied healthcare professional
  2. Grasp the importance of customer service, communication skills and professionalism
  3. Sterilize medical equipment and instruments
  4. Support the needs of the surgeon
  5. Clean, decontaminate and disinfection
  6. Documentation and records management
  7. Distinguish preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative duties
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Enrollment Requirements

  1. Web browser with internet connection
  2. Course registration & payment
  3. Program applicants must meet ONE of the following requirements:
  4. Associate’s degree, or higher
  5. Enrolled in college/university-level degree program related to medical field
  6. Hold current certification in Sterile Processing, or related field.
  7. Min. two (2) yrs related experience: Surgical technology experience not required, but must be w/in clinical/medical/healthcare environment. Direct patient care experience required.
  8. Employer Sponsorship: Sponsorship Acknowledgement form signed by prospective employer agreeing to host graduate for post-program surgical cases (scrubs) as full-time/part-time employee, extern, or apprentice – required to attain TS-C certification.

MedCerts-Covered Materials*

  1. Expert-led video based training
  2. eBook: Surgical Technology
  3. Textbook: Central Service Technician Manual
  4. Competency assessments
  5. National Certification exam fee

Student Services

  1. Dedicated Student Success Advisors
  2. Tailored support based on performance & behavior
  3. Exam preparation process
  4. 1 yr. post-program access to Career Center & Career Coaches

Clinical Requirements

  1. TS-C: Case Documentation within 2 years of exam pass date, including minimum 125 surgical cases
  2. CRCST: 400 hours of hands-on experience in a CS (central services) department

*The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by MedCerts. They are not included in the tuition costs and the student is not liable for any costs or fees related to the above materials.

Required Courses
PS 1011

Professionalism in Allied Health

32 hours
Length
2 Weeks
Duration

This course will benefit anyone considering a career in allied health, as well as those already working in the field. Allied Health Professionals must be committed to the key attributes of professionalism and strive to reflect this within the delivery of patient-centered safe and effective care. “Professionalism” is a broad term that reflects many different skills and abilities. For an individual to exhibit professionalism, he/she must be armed with specific skills and abilities that do not always show up within certification requirements, or even within a career training curriculum. Soft skills are hard to measure and are typically less well-defined than hard skills. However, soft skills are what set many job candidates apart. Professionalism is not just what one knows, it is how one does their job, how one behaves and how one comes across as they interact with others.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with soft skills training that will provide the tools needed to demonstrate a higher level of professionalism on the job. Key components of the course focus on patient interaction, proper office behavior, medical ethics, diversity and cultural bias, emotional strength, professional appearance and communication. The course maintains a focus on the key attributes that are true markers of professionalism.

This course was created with input from healthcare professionals working in the field, healthcare employers that hire our graduates, professional educators and even former MedCerts students. The end result is a collection of modules that touch on the soft skills that are TRULY important in the real world of allied healthcare. In this course, students are engaged through scenario-based learning that allows for real interaction with virtual co-workers and patients. Additionally, game-based activities keep students engaged and entertained throughout their learning journey.

    • Gain an understanding of the expectations of an allied healthcare professional in the workplace
    • Develop and exercise emotional intelligence, self-management and interpersonal skills
    • Build and improve internal and external communication skills with all exchanges
    • Enhance the patient care experience with successful interactions and patient satisfaction
    • Maintain solution-oriented conversations, manage conflict and build self-confidence
HI 1014

Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology

96 hours
Length
6 Weeks
Duration

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the language of medicine, through the study of prefixes, suffixes, root words, abbreviation, and pronunciation of words. The curriculum also includes an anatomy and physiology app that enables students to explore, visualize, interact, and experience the anatomy of the human body in 3D and augmented reality (AR). Students will examine the organization of the integumentary, musculoskeletal, hematic, lymphatic and immune, and cardiovascular systems in the human body. They will become familiar with the medical terms that relate to the respiratory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, and excretory systems. Students will also examine terms related to the sensory organs, with a concentration on the organs for hearing, sight, and smell. This immersive experience will trigger thought processes and enhance learning outcomes in their Anatomy and Physiology program. The app has about 50 simulations across different topics.

    • Recognize the structure and function of the 11 body systems and their organs
    • Understand the medical language that is used to describe those systems
    • Analyze and understand medical terms by breaking down their word components
    • Appreciate the major diseases and conditions related to the human body
    • Apply your knowledge within the healthcare setting
HI 6014

Sterile Processing

96 hours
Length
6 Weeks
Duration

Sterile Processing is a comprehensive course with insight into the role of the professional central service technician as a member of the healthcare team. Video-based lessons include topics of infection control with performance of cleaning, decontamination, disinfection, inspection, packaging and sterilization tasks for reusable basic and complex surgical instruments or devices. The central service department’s role in ancillary department support, customer service, teamwork and task priorities will be a key focus. Inventory management, recordkeeping and quality control will be addressed in relationship to the responsibilities of the successful central service technician.

In this course, students are exposed to a variety of eLearning elements that allow for hands-on interaction with the screen for an engaging education. An immersive environment and interactivities will provide the student opportunities to practice key skills performed as a central service technician. In addition to video-based instruction and 3D environments, a variety of other learning methods are utilized for engagement, entertainment and inspiration throughout training.

    • Accumulate basic knowledge and skills required of the effective Central Service Technician
    • Adhere to OSHA, patient safety, infection control and bloodborne pathogen standard requirements
    • Demonstrate cleaning, decontamination, disinfection, preparation, packaging and sterilization tasks
    • Identify inventory management, sterile storage, and transport procedures with quality control and assurance
    • Discuss accuracy and completeness of data entry, incident reporting and records management
    • Explain effective customer service, teamwork, work groups and task priorities for the Central Service Department
HI 6016

Surgical Technology

160 hours
Length
10 Weeks
Duration

Surgical Technology is a comprehensive course designed to prepare students to achieve the status of Tech in Surgery ­– Certified. Emphasis is placed on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative duties and knowledge. This course includes topics related to infection control, use of personal protective equipment, sterile technique, decontamination and sterilization standards, and surgical instrumentation and equipment. It also addresses surgical pharmacology, aspects of medical law related to the healthcare setting, support of the operative patient, and safety in the operating room.

    • Learn the skills and knowledge for the competent, entry-level Surgical Technologist
    • Understand the instrumentation and equipment used in the operating room
    • Develop a strong surgical conscience, accountability, and understanding of actions
    • Instill appropriate ethical, professional, and respectful values while providing patient care
Code Course Duration
PS 1011 2 Weeks
HI 1014 6 Weeks
HI 6014 6 Weeks
HI 6016 10 Weeks
Total Program Duration 24 Weeks

Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician

Job Opportunities

Surgical Technician

$33,000 – $58,000*
Estimated Salary
Entry Level

Sterile Processing Technician

$26,000 – $45,000*
Estimated Salary

Central Service Technician

$26,000 – $45,000*
Estimated Salary

Disclaimers

  1. This program does not meet state licensing or regulatory requirements for Surgical Technicians in the following states: ID, IL, MA, NV, NY, SC, TN, TX, VA and OR.
  2. While MedCerts training and related target certifications may be accepted and/or approved by your state of residency, employers reserve the right to dictate pre-requisite 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.

Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician