Central Sterile Technician CSC

More information: Central Sterile Technician CSC

PURPOSE

This program provides the technical knowledge and skills, along with the 180 hours of clinical practical experience, needed for employment as a central sterile technician. Graduates of this program are educated and trained in central sterile technology under the guidelines of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Upon completion, students are eligible to take the HSPA Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification exam to become provisionally certified and begin employment.  After providing documentation of a total of 400 hours of hands-on experience within six months of passing the written certification exam, graduates will be provided with full CRCST certification.  

The curriculum consists of basic science, infection control, sterilization, human relations, and the necessary job skills, combined with clinical experiences required for eligibility for the IAHSCMM CRCST examination.  There is an emphasis on care and preparation of surgical instruments. Classroom instruction and clinical experiences prepare the student to assume the role of a central service technician in a variety of healthcare delivery settings. The program is also designed as a pathway to surgical technology. Surgical technology coursework is required and is very relevant to central sterile and surgical technology.  The surgical technology courses will transfer into the Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree.

PROGRAM LENGTH

This program is a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences. The program can be completed in two semesters full-time. Program progress is based on whether the student is a part-time or full-time student.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Certified central sterile technicians work in hospitals, doctors’ and dental offices, and outpatient surgical centers. Essential functions include cognitive, physical, and behavioral abilities necessary to perform the duties of a professional central sterile technician. Central service technicians can be trained on the job, depending on the employer, but employers may favor applicants who have formal training and certification, which requires 400 hours of clinical experience. 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Apply principles and techniques of decontamination to render medical devices safe to handle without protective attire (decontamination)
• Inspect, assemble, pack, and wrap medical devices in preparation for appropriate sterilization process and/or distribution (assembly)
• Select and perform safely: proper sterilization techniques, validate sterility assurance level monitoring, and maintain sterilization integrity during storage (sterilization and sterile storage)
• Demonstrate professional conduct, communication, and work practices according to appropriate federal regulations, industry standards, and facility policies (professionalism and communication)
• Integrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions acquired throughout the program to function as a competent certified central sterile technician following guidelines established by HSPA (practitioner)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• General college curricular admission
• Program admission based on a first-come, first served basis
• Review medical, Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), and drug clearance information with department chair prior to enrollment
• Submit official high school transcript, GED, or certificate of completion of home-schooling transcripts to Office of Admissions

PROGRAM NOTES

• Meet with department chair for advising prior to enrollment in the first Central Sterile Technician course
• Take courses in the sequence listed or obtain departmental permission for changes
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Achieve a minimum grade of C in each course
• Complete program within two years (students will be moved into the most recent catalog if there is a break in enrollment)

COMPETENCY-BASED CREDIT, CREDIT-BY-ABLE

Students with documented work experience -may be able to receive competency-based credit. Competency-based credits are only provided for hands-on work experience. Students are required to complete the related theory course. Competency-based credit can only be applied after the student receives a C on the related theory course. If a student receives a theory grade below a C, the theory course must be repeated. Students should meet with the department chair to determine if they qualify for competency-based credit.

• Decontamination (120 hours)
• Preparing and Packing Instruments (120 hours)
• Sterilization and Disinfection (96 hours)
• Storage and Distribution (24 hours)
• Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
• Equipment (16 hours)

*Clinical hours may be distributed in other competency-based clinical areas above.

CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS

Certain requirements must be satisfied prior to enrollment in the student’s first clinical course:

• Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) requests must be processed. These checks are required due to potential contact with children, persons with disabilities, or the elderly during a clinical experience. Students found to have certain criminal convictions or pending criminal actions may be ineligible for clinical placement. CORI and SORI are processed through an independent third-party vendor. Clinical sites will review results.
• Students must have current CPR certification from the American Heart Association (Heart Saver). This can be taken as part of the program but must be completed prior to a clinical course.
• A physical examination and health form completed by the student’s physician for documentation of tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox) immunizations, or titer (a blood test to prove immunity). ATB test is required. 

EXPECTATIONS

Students are required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community agencies, such as acute care (hospitals) or long-term care facilities, clinics, or comparable agencies and facilities. During these experiences, the assigned faculty will observe, monitor, and evaluate the student’s ability to achieve program outcomes through direct clinical experiences. Professional conduct and meeting program and course requirements related to dress code, program, and healthcare orientation are required.

CLINICAL CONTRACTS

 Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical agency, and these contracts differ in requirements for students. In general, contracts include: 

• Clinical facilities reserve the right to dismiss a student from their facility at any time. Students must wear the proper uniform, conforming to program and health care agency standards. 
• Students must follow published healthcare agency policies. 
• Students must meet health, immunity, and immunization requirements specified by the affiliated healthcare agency.  Failure to comply with these requirements will prevent the student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression.   
• Each Student releases the facility, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to self or damage to personal property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the facility. (Assumption of Risk documentation is signed and on file once the student is accepted into the program.) 
• Students are financially responsible for any medical care required while in the clinical setting. 
• Students must maintain a current American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider certification or other CPR certification as approved by the Department Chair. 
• Demonstration of professional behavior is expected at all clinical learning experiences. Faculty will direct a student to leave the learning environment if unacceptable behaviors are observed. 
• The health care agency may deny a student participation in a clinical learning experience based on the results of the background check and drug screen.   
• Students may be required to attend the health care agency’s orientation as scheduled to remain enrolled in a clinical course. 
• To maintain enrollment in a clinical course, students must submit required clinical documentation during the required clinical rotation.  Failure to comply with these clinical documentation requirements will prevent a student from meeting specific course learning outcomes required for program progression and completion.   

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROGRAM

Reynolds offers this program in affiliation with the healthcare agencies and practitioners in the communities the college serves and relies on its community affiliates to provide clinical education opportunities for its many courses. The rapid changes in healthcare law, standards of practice, technology, content of credentialing examinations, and availability of qualified faculty increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures, and course scheduling. As a result, the college cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond Reynolds’ control may necessitate postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, Reynolds may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started. If a student is dismissed by a clinical facility, alternate placement may require disclosure of information related to the dismissal. The student must consent to disclosure.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Technicians work in environmentally controlled conditions and practice infection control as they are exposed to disease and/or infectious material. Prospective students need to be aware that the work environment includes frequent exposure to electricity, electromagnetic fields, electronic media and latex; and chemical hazards, including (but not limited to) disinfecting solutions, dyes, acetone, bleach, and alcohol. There is also possible exposure to toxic drugs, anesthetic gases, ionizing radiation, and infectious agents (blood, urine, mucus, saliva, etc.). 

In order to meet the course requirements, the student must be able to perform the following without assistance: 

Communication

• Follow written and oral/verbal instructions in English
• Demonstrate ability to comprehend and interpret written material
• Demonstrate cognitive ability sufficient to learn and use body of knowledge necessary to meet program curriculum requirements and attain career entry status in the profession
• Make judgments and decisions appropriate to the role of a central sterile technician
• Demonstrate emotional stability sufficient to interact professionally with instructors, staff, patients, and physicians
• Respect patient confidentiality
• Apply reasonable judgment
• Accept responsibility for their actions
• Possess short-term and long-term memory sufficient to perform tasks including mentally tracking surgical supplies and demonstrating ability to anticipate tasks required as a central sterile technician and as a member of the healthcare team
• Synthesize information from written material and apply the knowledge to various situations in the classroom and healthcare environment
• Demonstrate the use of positive coping skills during patient, staff, and faculty interactions
• Demonstrate calm and effective responses, especially in emergency situations
• Travel to clinical sites as assigned

Smell

• Ability to detect odors sufficient to maintain environmental safety and patient needs

Physical Ability (gross and fine motor skills)

• Sufficient mobility and motor coordination to safely perform all activities required while in the upright position
• Walk, bend, stoop, kneel, stand, twist, sit, carry, lift, reach hands overhead
• Sit and stand long periods of time (4-7 hours in class; 8 hours in clinical)
• Pull 75 lbs., lift 35 lbs., and push 100 lbs.
• Ambulate/move around without assistive devices
• Successfully complete a CPR certification course (American Heart Association Healthcare Provider) and maintain certification throughout the program duration

Visual

• Demonstrate acuity sufficient to read all appropriate instrumentation
• Demonstrate ability to perform precise hand/eye coordination
• Demonstrate ability to discriminate tactile sensations
• Demonstrate ability to discriminate color and depth perception
• Demonstrate sufficient visual ability needed to inspect fine needles and needle holders with/without corrective lenses and while wearing safety glasses
• Demonstrate sufficient peripheral vision to anticipate and function while in the healthcare environment 

Hearing (with or without assistive device)

• Demonstrate ability sufficient to respond to messages and requests from patients, physicians, and staff and to respond to equipment signals
• Demonstrate ability to hear activation/warning signals on equipment and respond accordingly
• Demonstrate ability to hear and understand muffled communication without seeing the communicator’s mouth/lips and within 20 feet

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

Expenses in addition to regular college tuition and fees may be required (costs are approximate and subject to change):

Central Sterile Technician CSC: Additional Costs*

Castlebranch Document Manager Background Check, Drug Screening, and Rechecks	$225
Physical Exam: proof of immunity, immunizations, TB testing from appropriate physician (costs vary based on insurance coverage)	Varies
Books and supplies	TBA
Uniform scrubs	$50
Comfortable shoes**	Varies

* These costs are approximate and subject to change. Students should also consider transportation and potential parking costs for clinical assignments. 

** Many students prefer to set aside one pair of shoes for exclusive use in the clinical experience.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Healthcare Sterile Processing Association
• World Forum for Hospital Sterile Supply (HSPA is the U.S. member)
• Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

 

CURRICULUM

SEMESTER ONE

Course	Session	Credit Hours
SUR 150 - Surgical Instrumentation	Full semester	2
SDV 101 - Orientation to Health Science  1	First seven weeks	1
BIO 145 - Basic Human Anatomy & Physiology	First seven weeks	4
CSP 101 - Introduction to Central Sterile Services	First seven weeks	1
HLT 143 - Medical Terminology	Second seven weeks	3
CSP 107 - Fundamentals of Central Sterile Services	Second seven weeks	1

 

SEMESTER TWO

Course	Session	Credit Hours
SUR 135 - Infection Control	Full semester	2
HLT 105 - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation  2	First seven weeks	1
CSP 205 - Intermediate Central Sterile Services	First seven weeks	1
ENG 111 - College Composition I	First seven weeks	3
CSP 196 - On Site Training - Central Sterile Technician Clinical Applications  3,4	Second seven weeks	3
SUR 100 - Introduction to Surgical Technology	Second seven weeks	2

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 24

¹ SDV 100  may be substituted for SDV 101  

² Credit by Able may be provided for American Heart CPR BLS if it has not expired

³ Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check and drug screening

⁴ Must complete all required health and safety screening and documentation required by clinical affiliates