Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program
Classes Start December 4
Program Type
Certificate
Delivery Method
On Campus
Course Length
Approximately
9 Months
Program Objective
A sterile processing technician is a valuable member of a medical care team. They are in charge of maintaining the cleanliness, functionality and inventory of healthcare instrumentation and equipment, working mainly in the sterile processing and distribution areas of healthcare facilities.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a sterile processing technician include sterilizing instruments and equipment through a series of critical steps. This important work ensures patients avoid infections and healthcare professionals are able to access the tools they need immediately.
Through classes taught by experienced instructors and hands-on training, students in the Sterile Processing Technician certificate program will learn how to properly sterilize instruments and equipment through proper decontamination procedures, implement infection control practices, understand microbiology, and provide equipment access for doctors, nurses and other health professionals as needed.
Graduates of the program from this school can take the central sterile processing exam offered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM). This program is based on the IAHCSMM Certification: CRCST.
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Careers as a Sterile Processing Technician
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Sterile Processing Technician?
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Sterile Processing Technician?
This certificate program will prepare graduates to apply their skills in a variety of environments:
- Hospitals
- Emergency rooms
- Intensive care unit
- Labor & delivery unit
- Operating rooms
- Dental/eye care practices
- Plastic surgery offices
- Surgery centers
- Laboratories
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of sterile processing technicians is projected to grow from 2020 to 2030.
Continued Education
Continued Education
At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online associate degree in Health Care Administration, an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Get the skills needed to move up within the healthcare industry, with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Clinical Externships
At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.
In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors, and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Career Prep Sequence
Professional Sequence I
Professional Sequence II
Professional Sequence III
Externship
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How To Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“I learned so much at Pima Medical and felt like they prepared me for this career. I am working at Lovelace Hospital as a Sterile Processing Technician (SPT). Basically, I take the instruments used in the operating room for a specific surgery, reprocess them from dirty to sterile instruments and then reorganize them in preparation for the next surgery.”
Adam Gutierrez, Sterile Processing Technician Graduate
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Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Sterile Processing Technician program is available to residents of Arizona and Colorado, states that do not require licensure or certification to obtain employment in the field. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the CRCST Credentialing Examination.
The SPT program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
State Licensure Determination Disclosure – Certificate Programs
Licensing Board Contact Information – Sterile Processing Technician