Program Description: Sterile Processing is a certificate program designed to train students as Sterile Processing Technicians to support the surgical team. The program is an 18-credit hour certificate of technical studies (CTS) program that prepares students for employment in the medical field as sterile processors. Upon successful completion, students will have met the requirements and can sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) national exam administered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
Program Accreditation: N/A
Program Coordinator: Terri Ferreira, BS, CST
Program Instructor(s): Rochelle Foret-Lofton, AAS, CST
Special Comments: This program requires a clinical component that will take place at one or more of the following locations: Terrebonne General Health System, Ochsner Chabert, Thibodaux Regional Health System, Ochsner St. Mary. In the event a clinical facility terminates its agreement with the program, students will be reassigned to another approved clinical affiliate in order to complete the program requirements. Admission requirements can be found on the Sterile Processing Technician admissions checklist located on the Fletcher website.
Overall Grade Point Average: Program requirements must be completed with an overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or higher to receive a certificate of technical studies.
Course Grade Requirements: Students must maintain a 2.0 (C) in each course in order to progress in the program
Student Learning Outcomes: Students who successfully complete the Sterile Processing Program will be able to:
- Provide knowledge of the cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection of surgical instruments
- Demonstrate and identify proper preparation and packaging of sterile surgical instruments
- Demonstrate knowledge of documentation and record maintenance
- Perform the sterilization process of surgical instruments
- Demonstrate effective customer relations
- Provide knowledge of sterile storage and inventory management
- Provide knowledge of patient care equipment
CIP Code: 511012