Program Facts

Learn to help control infections by sterilizing surgical and medical instruments

Receive instruction in essential areas such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology, legal and ethical responsibilities of health care workers, and more

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 4 months*

Includes a 128-hour sterile processing externship experienceᶛ

Prepares successful graduates to take the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) examination to become a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST).†

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 4 months* with Concorde in Memphis. Our program combines online learning with hands-on labs and an externship to prepare you for new career opportunities.

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

Certification Exams and Next Steps

The knowledge and skills this program teaches can prepare you for the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) examination and 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 fulfil 128 hours toward this requirement.

*Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to 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.