This certificate is related to Surgical Technology
Central Processing Technicians help reduce the risk of microbial exposure of patients by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies and equipment needed for surgery and patient care. This program will train students to use heat, steam, and chemical disinfecting sterilization techniques, as well as inventory management skills. Professionalism, teamwork, communications and medical terminology are a priority as students learn to pursue, or maintain, job opportunities in Central Processing Technology.
To promote success on the certification examination, all Required Courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Upon completion of the coursework, students will be eligible to take the IAACSMM National certification exam. 400 hours of hands-on, documented experience in a Central Sterile Department is necessary for the certification to be considered valid.
Entrance Requirements
- Meet all College admission requirements
- The program has a limited enrollment based on clinical practicum availability
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the methods of care and handling of surgical instrumentation and equipment as it pertains to sterile processing and decontamination procedures
- Demonstrate and understand the processes necessary to sterilize instrumentation and equipment through a series of critical steps
- Understand microbiology and infection control as it pertains to sterile processing and decontamination procedures
- Implement infection control practices to ensure that patients avoid infections
- Provide instrumentation and equipment access to doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals as required
- Demonstrate accountability and professional values
- Communicate effectively with supported hospital departments
- Demonstrate effective critical thinking skills
- Understand the need to be lifelong learners
Program Costs
In addition to the registration fees, a Central Processing (CPT) student can expect to spend approximately $425 on books, supplies, testing, and miscellaneous costs while completing the CPT certificate program.
Student Work Policy
Due to the nature of the curriculum, students are allowed to be employed at a Central Service department while completing the course. Work duties and responsibilities completed after entrance into the course may count toward lab experience. All tasks must be documented, per course requirements, to count towards the 400 clinical hours necessary for certification.
- Fifteen (15) Credits
- Not Financial Aid Eligible
This is a hybrid course and will have both online and in-class instruction. Prerequisite classes may be taken prior to entering the program, or while in the current program.