The Sterile Processing Technician program is designed to prepare students to function as a sterile processing professional in multiple healthcare settings. Sterile Processing technicians perform and participate in decontamination, cleaning, assembling, packaging, scanning, sterilization, storage, and distribution of reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment.
The purpose of this program is to prepare students to clearly and thoroughly understand his or her roles and responsibilities. Working in a sterile processing area requires specific knowledge and skills, including an understanding of the following key areas and topics:
- Instrumentation: Knowledge of surgical instruments and specialty devices
- Processing of Surgical Instrumentation: Decontamination, packaging, and sterilization of surgical instrumentation
- Processing of Moveable Patient Equipment: Processing, cleaning, testing, assembly, and distribution of movable patient care equipment
- Storage and Inventory: Storage, handling, and distribution of sterile surgical instrumentation and devices, as well as inventory control and cost recovery systems
- Medical Terminology: Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, and microbiology
- Prevention Processes: Infection prevention, decontamination, and disinfection processes
Program Objectives
After completing this program, learners will be able to:
- Describe various functions of SPD
- Identify the health and safety regulations, standards, and guidelines that apply to the processing of medical devices and instrumentation
- Define anatomy and physiology, explain how they are related, and understand how anatomy and physiology relate to the work performed in the sterile processing department
- Understand the basic factors in disease transmission
- Describe the body’s defenses against infection and the factors that affect the body’s susceptibility to disease
- Distinguish between regulated medical waste and non-infectious waste
- Explain bloodborne pathogens and the safety precautions necessary in SPD
- Outline the standards required for a quality decontamination process
- Understand the appropriate dress code and the role of personal protective equipment (PPE) as it relates to OSHA regulations and employee safety and health
- Describe functions performed during chemical disinfection
- Describe the procedures that must be followed and the precautions that must be observed during the preparation and use of the variety of disinfecting agents used in the decontamination process
- Identify the processes needed to effectively disassemble, clean, disinfect, inspect, reassemble, test, store, and distribute movable patient care equipment
- Understand the organization of instruments sets and the preparation of basins and textile packs
Certification Opportunities
After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.
Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity
Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience. As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.
Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.
