Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Technicians usually work in hospitals, day surgery clinics and other health care settings. Under direct supervision, the surgical technicians are members of the operating room team that most commonly includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Before an operation, surgical technicians help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. They assemble both sterile and non-sterile equipment, as well as adjust and check to ensure all equipment is working properly.

This course will cover the surgical technician’s role beginning from pre-op preparation, during the operative procedure and finish with post-operative room break down.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Discuss the legal and ethical issues of surgical technology
• Understand the scope of practice, risk management and liability issues
• Knowledge and practice of the asepsis and sterile technique
• Practice of safe patient care and safe surgical practices
• Discuss blood-borne pathogens related to the surgical environment
• Recognize specific drug classifications and their characteristics
• Discuss the various types of suture and each application
• Recognize basic surgical instruments and discuss their application
• Describe preoperative routines
• Discuss and demonstrate the principle of surgical positioning and draping
• Demonstrate appropriate technique for gowning and gloving of self and other team members
• Knowledge of instrument set ups required by a variety of surgical procedures
• Identify basic instruments by type, function, and name
• Identify and prepare supplies used in the OR
• Identify the basic organizational structures of the human body and the function of the body systems as they apply to surgery

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.

Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)

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.