{"id":5509,"date":"2026-01-07T22:05:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T22:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/?page_id=5509"},"modified":"2026-01-07T22:08:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T22:08:29","slug":"sterile-processing-technician","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/sterile-processing-technician\/","title":{"rendered":"Sterile Processing Technician"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>Sterile Processing Technician<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2026\/01\/1222prod-GES1028-Sterile-Processing-Technician-Vouchers-1400X700-1-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Gloved hand putting in medical tools in a sterilizer.\" class=\"wp-image-5512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2026\/01\/1222prod-GES1028-Sterile-Processing-Technician-Vouchers-1400X700-1-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2026\/01\/1222prod-GES1028-Sterile-Processing-Technician-Vouchers-1400X700-1-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2026\/01\/1222prod-GES1028-Sterile-Processing-Technician-Vouchers-1400X700-1-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2026\/01\/1222prod-GES1028-Sterile-Processing-Technician-Vouchers-1400X700-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2026\/01\/1222prod-GES1028-Sterile-Processing-Technician-Vouchers-1400X700-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>100% Online Course to Help You Become a Certified Central Service Technician<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-faf725c5b819554f69ce4fc172fe8029 wp-block-paragraph\">Begin a critical healthcare career as a certified sterile processing technician (SPT). Sterile Processing Technicians, also known as Central Service Technicians, prevent infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies. This 100% online sterile processing technician course will train you to work as an SPT and will also prepare you for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)\u2014all in 12 months or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61b0adf887fd51a8edc8c5134f5122ba wp-block-paragraph\">You will learn all the necessary steps required to perform the duties and tasks of an SPT as you gain confidence to begin your new career. Gain proficiency in the step-by-step requirements of the sterilization process and fully prepare to pass the CRCST exam. A voucher for the exam is included in the cost of your course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-button alignnone\"><a class=\"wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-e80b5989-c5c7-4784-ac19-b1d53be3d3ef\" href=\"https:\/\/careertraining.tarleton.edu\/training-programs\/sterile-processing-technician-voucher-included\/?utm_source=ppi&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=tarleton&amp;utm_term=GES1028\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>ENROLL NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98056bf9672833a9bfe14973c180f2ff wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Job Outlook for Sterile Processing Technicians<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0569eb4168b6ae9b27b5f779c70fb672 wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that job demand for sterile processing technicians and similar positions will increase by 6% through 2031. It estimates that 7,700 jobs will be opened each year in this job category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e6f43f5e4fe5ed1ca2df8e4f020ba2cf wp-block-paragraph\">The BLS reports that medical equipment preparers earn an average salary of $42,420 per year, with the top earners pulling in over $60,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8de985c0f912ecda04ad8baaadbeb45f wp-block-paragraph\">According to the BLS, California, New York, Texas, Ohio, and Florida are among the states with the highest employment in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-6a9d3f01-2fe3-458d-91bd-681665332873 advgb-accordion-wrapper\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e9bfa3aae42d13040239e19cbe2f5516 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sterile Processing Technician\/Central Service Technician FAQs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" open><summary><strong><strong><a><strong><strong>WHAT IS A STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN? WHAT DOES A STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN DO?<\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Sterile Processing Technician, also known as a Central Services Technician, is responsible for preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies and equipment. \u00a0These professionals play a critical role in healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>WHAT IS A CERTIFIED REGISTERED CENTRAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION?<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) is a certification granted by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). The CRCST is a certification program designed for entry-level and existing technicians who demonstrate the knowledge, experience, and skills needed to show competence as a sterile processing technician.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d100bcb33086965a6cddf6e1e8949c96 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Course Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d45902e77bb16fe2af971e68edcdad42\">Define the sterile processor role, responsibilities, professional skill set, and communication expectations (including accurate use of medical terminology and anatomy) required in the central processing and surgical services departments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c6029b866d2af4873af44923a4d6098b\">Identify sterile processing regulations and standards providing by regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure workplace safety, infection prevention, and proper support for the ancillary departments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-db5e33af0ad9ef0bc433bbc1f4a9b3a0\">Discuss basic procedures and best practices for each phase of sterile processing, including decontamination, inspection, preparation, and sterilization of medical instruments and supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-042f936033a3ea9a84d6d4c07b81cd1b\">Understand sterile storage considerations, guidelines, concerns, and common quality assurance procedures in the sterile processing department<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b6970d10bf773fde367709d3a54c59b2\">Discuss the importance of following procedures to care for loaner instruments and manage inventory while using information management systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c88f6be7d91510c0722bbc3da5290bac\">Describe how to adhere to compliance when handling documentation and maintaining records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c56b7c81cb630fac66332b124e60dc36\">Explain the importance of effective communication, human relations, and personal development and how improving these skills can impact the career of a sterile processing technician<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-aa1475ccec056fb608bea5ba9fca8f2b\">Understand all the tasks related to the role and responsibilities of an SPT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-button alignnone\"><a class=\"wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-eec5e274-cd47-4ba5-b82e-fbd796694fea\" href=\"https:\/\/careertraining.tarleton.edu\/training-programs\/sterile-processing-technician-voucher-included\/?utm_source=ppi&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=tarleton&amp;utm_term=GES1028\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>ENROLL NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46b3cfff1f7694304bfe56b8145c8c80 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prerequisites and Requirements&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-978d1284be01b3fffe675753c557bbb0 wp-block-paragraph\">To sit for the national certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent; it is recommended that you have this before enrolling in this program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4c15723cbe60c9d86a8fc3f2ed2dcd9d wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Curriculum<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58ca6f077c4547f6738d213d79008d6c\">Medical Terminology<ol><li>Introduction to Medical Terminology<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Musculoskeletal System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Cardiovascular System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Lymphatic and Immune Systems<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Respiratory System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Digestive System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Urinary System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Nervous System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Special Senses The Eyes and Ears<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Integumentary System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Endocrine System<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>The Reproductive System<\/li><\/ol>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sterile Processing Technician<ol><li>Introduction<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Infection Control, Standards, and Regulations<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Decontamination and Workplace Safety<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Disinfection Process and Complex Instrumentation<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Tray Assembly<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Prep and Pack<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Introduction to Sterilization<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Introduction to Low-Temperature Sterilization<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Instrumentation Identification (Part I)<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Instrumentation Identification (Part II)<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Case Cart Introduction<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Sterile Storage<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Managing Inventory<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Ancillary Department Support<\/li><\/ol><ol><li>Important Components for a Successful Career<\/li><\/ol>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wrapping Up and Preparing for Your Exam<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3f8b6289a5d458f11263ff5026d00c38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Instructors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-784b80ff75776df8cf90b662558bb822 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Janice Brownlee<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4cb13fee789823e41a9436020052bf97 wp-block-paragraph\">Janice &#8220;Jan&#8221; Brownlee has been a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) for 43 years and has worked in all sizes of hospitals, including surgery centers. Jan worked in a sterile processing department in the instrument room and sterile supply areas. While working in the operating room, she scrubbed all services, with cardiothoracic, vascular, and orthopedics being her favorites.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93e3bf7414b2f5d53ca16e649d51d6b4 wp-block-paragraph\">Jan also had the opportunity to work for a private group of cardiothoracic surgeons and expand her knowledge and skills even more. Working as a surgical first assistant was the highlight of her career. She has continued her career path by teaching surgical technology and sterile processing at a local community college and enjoys watching her students learn and grow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-977c0fabf263c6199a3fe49c2129f477 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Teresa Nicolich<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8e60f0e40e949a16fc4206702eacbaef wp-block-paragraph\">Teresa J. Nicolich holds a Master of Science (MS) in Human Services Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in American Studies, with a minor in Communications &amp; Journalism. Teresa is a Certified Registered Central Service Technician, certified by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), formerly the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6c93da6dd4ab0e1d92ef7bd1c975de21 wp-block-paragraph\">Teresa has 30 years of experience in healthcare central supply and sterile processing central sterile technician programs providing course development, education, instruction, orientation, and staff training and development for the healthcare facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0f033f3f63ed5cf382d90f57496034ca wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Registration and Enrollment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4477f4c13375304c1940b58e7ac55d9b wp-block-paragraph\">This course is 100% online. Start anytime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-button alignnone\"><a class=\"wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-1b91b4f2-23e7-42c9-a008-b9cc8908f355\" href=\"https:\/\/careertraining.tarleton.edu\/training-programs\/sterile-processing-technician-voucher-included\/?utm_source=ppi&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=tarleton&amp;utm_term=GES1028\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>ENROLL NOW<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized advgb-dyn-f4e2cde4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"234\" height=\"156\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/152\/2026\/01\/CRCST_Certified-Registered-Central-Service-Technician_HSPA_Healthcare-Sterile-Processing-Association.png\" alt=\"The CRCST HSPA logo.\" class=\"wp-image-5511\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.500050085144746;width:139px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<style class=\"advgb-styles-renderer\">.advgbbtn-e80b5989-c5c7-4784-ac19-b1d53be3d3ef{font-size:18px;color:#ffffff !important;background-color:#4f2d7f !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-e80b5989-c5c7-4784-ac19-b1d53be3d3ef:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-e80b5989-c5c7-4784-ac19-b1d53be3d3ef > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}.advgbbtn-eec5e274-cd47-4ba5-b82e-fbd796694fea{font-size:18px;color:#ffffff !important;background-color:#4f2d7f !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-eec5e274-cd47-4ba5-b82e-fbd796694fea:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-eec5e274-cd47-4ba5-b82e-fbd796694fea > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}.advgbbtn-1b91b4f2-23e7-42c9-a008-b9cc8908f355{font-size:18px;color:#ffffff !important;background-color:#4f2d7f !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-1b91b4f2-23e7-42c9-a008-b9cc8908f355:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-1b91b4f2-23e7-42c9-a008-b9cc8908f355 > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pursue certification as a dental assistant by passing the radiology, infection control, and anatomy and physiology portions of the NELDA or CDA examinations. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":832,"featured_media":580,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_wds_title":"","_wds_metadesc":"","_wds_focus-keywords":"","_wds_meta-robots-adv":"","_wds_meta-robots-noindex":false,"_wds_meta-robots-nofollow":false,"_wds_meta-robots-index":false,"_wds_meta-robots-follow":false,"_wds_autolinks-exclude":false,"_wds_canonical":"","_wds_redirect":"","_wds_opengraph":[],"_wds_twitter":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5509","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/author\/eking\/","display_name":"eking"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 5 months ago","modified":"Updated 5 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on January 7, 2026","modified":"Updated on January 7, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on January 7, 2026 10:05 pm","modified":"Updated on January 7, 2026 10:08 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/832"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5509"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5515,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5509\/revisions\/5515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/extendeded\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}