Sterile Processing Technician Diploma
Learn How to Sterilize Medical and Surgical Instruments
Background Animation is playing
Program Overview
Sterile processing technicians help keep medical and surgical procedures safe. They examine, sterilize, and package surgical instruments for use in medical and dental clinics, operating rooms, and more. Their work helps reduce the risk of infection or cross-contamination during life-saving procedures.
You can receive instruction in the knowledge and skills a sterile processing technician needs in as few as 5 months* with Concorde in Memphis. Our program combines online learning with hands-on labs and an externship to prepare you for new career opportunities.
PROGRAM FACTS
Skill Building
Learn to help control infections by sterilizing surgical and medical instruments
Versatile Curriculum
Receive instruction in essential areas such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, legal and ethical responsibilities of health care workers, and more
Flexible Class Schedules
Convenient blended class format (online coursework with hands-on labs) makes it possible to continue working while you study
Complete your diploma in as few as 20 weeks, including a 128- hour sterile processing externship experience
Prepares successful graduates to take the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) examination to become a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST).†
Sterile Processing Technician Diploma Curriculum
Concorde’s sterile processing technician diploma teaches essential health science concepts along with practical and technical skills for examining, sterilizing, and tracking inventory of medical equipment.
In this program, you will have the opportunity to learn how to:
- Identify medical instruments and describe their uses
- Inspect instruments for functionality and cleanliness
- Keep inventory records of medical instruments
- Perform sterilization using solvents and equipment such as autoclaves
- Arrange instrument trays for procedures
- Transport instruments to and from procedure rooms
- Help ensure procedure rooms maintain a sterile field
- Effectively communicate with other members of the health care team
- Understand the health care system
You’ll build and practice skills through a combination of online learning, on-campus labs, and 128 hours of externship experience.ᶛ
- Healthcare Concepts
- Sterile Processing
- Sterile Processing Externship
*Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to the current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.
ᶛExternships are non-paid in-person learning experiences. Duration and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.
†Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.
Certification Exams and Next Steps
The knowledge and skills this program teaches are desi prepare you for the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) examination and train to become provisionally certified as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST). †
To obtain full certification, you will need to complete 400 hours of work experience. Our program helps you fulfill 128 hours toward this requirement.
*Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load.
Take the Next Step Now
Want to learn important skills for sterile processing faster than you thought you could? Contact Concorde in Memphis to learn if our five-month diploma program is right for you!
REQUEST INFO