Sterile Processing Technician

This course will introduce the student to the sterile processing career path. Students will learn the duties and responsibilities of the Sterile Processing Technician and the role of the Sterile Processing Department as a part of the healthcare facility. The basic concepts of microbiology and how the role that the Sterile Processing department takes in stopping the spread of infection and protecting the patient and employees from harmful microorganisms is covered. Students will learn the specific safety protocols within the Sterile Processing department and how to recognize and address certain hazards.

This course will introduce the student to the processes of decontamination and disinfection within the Sterile Processing Department. The student will learn about the tools required to clean, decontaminate, and disinfect items that are the responsibility of the Sterile Processing Department. The students will learn the decontamination processes that will protect the items used during daily patient care procedures as well as the processes required to protect the people and environment that may be contaminated by contact with those items. The students will learn the basic cleaning protocol of contaminated items and how to properly prepare those items for sterilization. The students will learn the procedures for disinfection and the correct application of chemical disinfectants and how it relates to infection prevention and control. Instruction on surgical instrumentation to include complex surgical instrumentation will be provided as it relates to the decontamination and disinfection processes.

This course will introduce the student to the sterilization procedures they will encounter within the Central Service Department. The students will gain an understanding of sterilization packaging selection and applications as well as handling and storage requirements. The students will learn the function of point of use processing in patient care areas and the practices required to accomplish this successfully. The students will learn the processes and procedures for high-temperature sterilization to include types of sterilizers, types of cycles, and quality assurance processes. The students will learn the processes and procedures for low-temperature sterilization.

This course will introduce the student to the more complex processes, quality assurance, and inventory management within the Central Service department. Students will learn inventory management concepts to include monitoring and record keeping, quality assurance, managing inventory, ancillary department support, role of information technology, and personal/professional development. Students will learn ways that Central Service departments track instruments, equipment, and supplies, how to ensure that instrumentation and supplies quality meets the safety and sterility standards, what the student’s role will be in supporting ancillary departments in the health care setting, how information technology is integrated into the Central Sterile Department, and personal/professional development that is specific to the sterile processing environment.

This course provides an opportunity to review and reinforce fundamental knowledge of sterile processing theory as it applies to clinical practice. Students will review practices and procedures learned throughout the program. In addition, the students will learn the necessary skills required to create a resume as well as practice interview skills.

This course allows the student to apply what they have learned in the program curriculum to practical use in a healthcare facility under the direct supervision of a preceptor on the site. Through the externship experience, the student gains first-hand knowledge of the workplace and performs the assigned duties to meet the expectations in a professional setting. Students are expected to adapt to the work environment and reflect regularly on their learning and observations. The externship work performed is not to be paid.