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Sterile Processing Technician
Certificate Program

IN-DEMAND

5 DAY MONEY-BACK COMMITMENT

SELF-PACED

IN-DEMAND

SELF-PACED

5 DAY MONEY-BACK COMMITMENT

Start Your Online Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program today! USCI offers 100% online classes that allow you to study any time, any place, on your phone.

Sterile Processing Technician Estimated Time of Completion

Estimated Length of program:
5-9 months, self-paced. Start learning today - no waiting period.

Sterile Processing Technician Certification

Certification:
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)

USCI Sterile Processing Technician Earnings

Median Earnings:
$45,280* based on statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook.

USCI Sterile Processing Technician Tuition

Tuition:
Payment Plan: $69/month
($1,279 total)
Pay-in-Full: $979 Tuition
See full tuition details.

Sterile Processing Technician Program Goal

Program Goal:
To prepare students to take the CRCST exam and gain entry-level employment as a Sterile Processing Technician.

Sterile Processing Technician Class Format

Class Format:
Online – Computer or Phone

Table of Contents

Our Sterile Processing Technician training is designed to prepare you for the nationally recognized Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Exam, offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Your CRCST exam fee is included in your tuition- up to a $140 value†.

USCI has custom learning materials
DEAC Accredited

Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

USCI has custom learning materials
Proven Reputation

A+ BBB Rating, 40 Years in Business, 4.8 out of 5 TrustScore, DEAC Accredited, 97% of students would recommend us to a friend.

USCI has custom learning materials
Career Coach Program

Your tuition includes access to instructors, learning materials, student services, and one-on-one career coaching with a career advisor. $400 Value**

USCI has custom learning materials
Median Salary $45,280*

Sterile Processing Technician professionals are paid a competitive salary.

USCI has custom learning materials
6% Job Growth by 2033*

Sterile Processing Technician jobs are projected to increase 6% by 2033* according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

USCI has custom learning materials
Real-world Skills

Focus on real-world skills that will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need for employment and to prepare for industry certifications.

Graduates of this course will learn the necessary skills to professionally perform the duties of a Sterile Processing Technician. Students learn to decontaminate, inspect, assemble, disassemble, package, and sterilize reusable surgical instruments or devices for healthcare facilities.

Online Sterile Processing Technician Program Overview
  • Apply strict rules to minimize the risk of infection using the aseptic technique.
  • Discover how to decontaminate and prepare a clean work area and explore the high-level disinfection process and its components.
  • Prepare and package instruments and supplies, including labeling and handling instruments.
  • Examine sterilization processes, from loading and unloading to sterilizer tests, methods, cycles, and sterile storage.
  • Understand safety awareness related to patient care equipment and how to prepare the equipment, receive items, and inspect work areas.
  • Adhere to compliance for documentation, record maintenance and inventory management procedures.
  • Understand the importance of effective communication, customer relations and teamwork in the healthcare field.

What You'll Learn

  • The roles and desirable traits of various healthcare professionals
  • Speak the language - communicate using proper medical terminology
  • Apply strict rules to minimize the risk of infection using the aseptic technique
  • Explore proper sterile storage and inventory management procedures
  • Prepare and package instruments and supplies, including labeling and handling instruments
  • How to decontaminate and prepare a clean work area and the high-level disinfection (HLD) process
  • Adhere to compliance for documentation and record maintenance
  • The importance of effective communication, customer relations and teamwork in the healthcare field

    QUICK FACTS

    Lessons: 21

    Short Quizzes: 21


    Complete in as little as 5 months

Curriculum Breakdown

Our Sterile Processing Tech School is broken down into 4 units.

Pack I introduces students to the sterile processing technician career. Students are introduced to the health care field and basic safety standards. Students gain a strong foundation in medical terminology. In addition, students explore the basics of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the importance of ethics in health care.

Instruction Pack II provides students an overview of human anatomy, including cell biology and each of the body’s organ systems. Become familiar with the surgical terminology you’ll use as a sterile processing technician. Students explore communication etiquette and types, explore decision-making skills and proper record keeping and environmental condition monitoring and corrective actions when environmental conditions aren’t in compliance. The pack wraps up with information about surgical instruments and decontamination.

Instruction Pack III introduces students to high-level disinfection (HLD) process and its components. Students learn how to organize a work area and how to receive items for preparation. Explore packaging, organizing, wrapping and labeling methods. Finally, learn how to how to prepare a work area for sterilization in terms of supplies, cleaning equipment and functionality.

Pack IV explores the safety standards for sterile storage, and how to document and record temperature and humidity standards. Students examine how to order, receive, inspect, stock and distribute inventory. Students learn about safety awareness in terms of patient care equipment and how to prepare equipment, document and receive items and inspect work areas. The final lesson provides a real-world practicum that allows you the opportunity to sterile processing skills.
Kaylah Thornton Instructor

Weston “Hank” Balch, BS, MDiv, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL
Sterile Processing Program Instructor/Course Expert

Meet the Instructor

Our Sterile Processing instructor, Hank Balch earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University before co-founding Beyond Clean. Beyond Clean is the largest clinical education provider in the Sterile Processing industry. He began his career in instrument reprocessing as a frontline technician in 2009, and has served as an Instrument Database Specialist, Department Manager, and System Director for various SPD departments across the country. Hank is an award-winning Sterile Processing leader (2016 Healthcare Purchasing News "CS/SPD Department of the Year"), twice nominated for HSPA President, founder of two state-wide HSPA chapters, conference speaker, and well-known industry writer, blogger, and social media connoisseur. He has written over 200 Sterile Processing articles, with his work being published in Becker's Hospital Review, Infection Control Today, Healthcare Purchasing News, Communique, Outpatient Surgery Magazine, AAMI BI&T Journal, SteriWorld, and other publications across the globe. His passion is seeing frontline Sterile Processing professionals equipped to #FightDirty, every instrument, every time.

Meet the Instructor

Kaylah Thornton Instructor

Weston “Hank” Balch, BS, MDiv, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL
Sterile Processing Technician Program Instructor/Course Expert

Our Sterile Processing instructor, Hank Balch earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University before co-founding Beyond Clean. Beyond Clean is the largest clinical education provider in the Sterile Processing industry. He began his career in instrument reprocessing as a frontline technician in 2009, and has served as an Instrument Database Specialist, Department Manager, and System Director for various SPD departments across the country. Hank is an award-winning Sterile Processing leader (2016 Healthcare Purchasing News "CS/SPD Department of the Year"), twice nominated for HSPA President, founder of two state-wide HSPA chapters, conference speaker, and well-known industry writer, blogger, and social media connoisseur. He has written over 200 Sterile Processing articles, with his work being published in Becker's Hospital Review, Infection Control Today, Healthcare Purchasing News, Communique, Outpatient Surgery Magazine, AAMI BI&T Journal, SteriWorld, and other publications across the globe. His passion is seeing frontline Sterile Processing professionals equipped to #FightDirty, every instrument, every time.

USCI Student Testimonial Quote

My goal is to become a nurse but I’ve decided to pursue a short term goal in becoming a sterile processing technician. So far, U.S Career Institute has been a great choice. There’s a lot to learn on the lessons but everything is very organized and understandable. I’m very excited to learn and relearn because there’s so much to learn. Can’t wait to be certified!!

Admene J.
Sterile Processing Technician Student

USCI Student Testimonial Quote

Each team member is polite and attentive. The process is easy and the teachers reply quickly. I wish I had found them earlier.

Victoria M.
Sterile Processing Technician Student

Median Salary

$45,280*

Number of Jobs

70,700*

Job Growth by 2033

6%*


Certification

U.S. Career Institute's Sterile Processing Technician program will prepare you to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam, through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Included with our course, we cover the cost of your CRCST certification exam fees – a $140 value!†
CRCST certification from HSPA requires that you pass the certification exam and complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a Central Service department. These hours can be completed before testing or within 6 months of passing the exam. Please note that you are responsible for obtaining the 400 hours of hands-on experience once you finish our Sterile Processing Technician course, USCI will not provide this training.

U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your education affordable. Tuition includes electronic lesson books, supplements, instructor assistance, and career support for graduates. You can start your new career without a mountain of debt.

OPTION 1:
Pay In Full

$979

  • SAVE $300
  • Application charge is waived
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5-day money-back commitment

OPTION 2:
Monthly Auto Payments

$1,279*

  • $69 Monthly Payment
  • First payment: $69**
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5-day money-back commitment

*Plus one-time $29 application charge.
**First payment includes $40 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.

Money-Back Commitment

U.S. Career Institute offers an iron clad money-back commitment to its students. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to review and evaluate. After reviewing the lesson, if you think our program is not the best route for you; contact us, return any materials and we will refund the full amount paid. No questions asked.

Becoming a Sterile Process Technician typically requires a HS diploma or equivalent and formal training through an accredited institution can also be helpful. After completing a recognized program, the next step is to sit for and pass an industry certification exam. USCI’s Sterile Processing Technician certificate program prepares you for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification exam, administered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).

Sterile Processing Technicians provide the clean, sterile, functioning instruments used daily in surgeries and medical procedures. Students learn to decontaminate, inspect, assemble, disassemble, package and sterilize reusable surgical instruments or devices for healthcare facilities.

While certification isn’t required, certified Sterile Processing Technicians will have a better chance at getting a job. Upon graduation from our program, you will receive your U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion attesting to your accomplishment. Also, U.S. Career Institute’s Sterile Processing Technician program prepares you to sit for the CRCST certification exam through the HSPA. USCI will reimburse graduates for their exam fee a $140 value†.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sterile Processing Technician jobs are expected to increase 6% from 2023 to 2033.*

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sterile Processing Technicians earn a median salary of $45,280 a year.

U.S. Career Institute proudly offers an affordable online option that costs only $979 when you pay in full! Payment plans are also available!

U.S. Career Institute is Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

Sterile Processing Technicians work in surgical centers, hospitals, dental offices and clinics. Sterile Processing Techs are needed everywhere there are patients.

Skills covered in the Sterile Processing Technician Program include The Roles of Healthcare Professionals, Medical and Surgical Terminology, Anatomy, Microbiology for CS Technology, Documentation Process, Healthcare Law and Ethics, Surgical Instruments, Infection Prevention and Decontamination, Sterile Storage, Inventory Management, And Much More!

When you enroll in our self-paced Sterile Processing Technician program, you choose how much you study each week. On average, our DEAC accredited online Sterile Processing Technician school program is completed in 5-9 months.

We firmly believe that USCI is the top online Sterile Processing Technician school in the nation. Our curriculum is laid out in easy to learn step-by-step lessons.

Our online Sterile Processing Technician school delivers its curriculum on the internet. Where could be closer than your own home? The convenience of online classes makes it easier for our students to fit their studies into their busy lives.
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*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet at Medical Equipment Preparers (visited September 4, 2024). Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.
†Provided in form of reimbursement when the following terms are met: Student submits receipt issued by the HSPA, has successfully completed the course and has paid tuition in full. Reimbursement is for $140 towards the cost of CRCST certification exam.