General Information
The Sterile Processing Technician Program of Southern University at Shreveport offers a Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) which prepares students for careers in sterile processing as well as Materials Management and Distribution in healthcare industries. Dedicated to excellence in sterile processing and distribution education, the program promotes an environment that fosters the development of a sterile conscience required to safely care for surgical patients, critical thinking, cooperation, teamwork, and professionalism; along with technical skills necessary to provide vital support to all patient care areas served by the Central Sterile Processing Management and Distribution Department. The Sterile Processing Technician graduate will have received classroom instructions as well as hands-on training in the university lab, hospital operating room suites, instrument rooms, and central service departments. The program prepares the student to take the National Certification Exam provided by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HISPA) and become a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST).
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this program, the sterile processing technician will be able to:
- Decontaminate, inspect, assemble, process, and sterilize surgical instruments and trays
- Maintain documentation required by the accrediting agencies for quality control.
- Inspect, maintain, deliver and retrieve equipment and instruments for the surgery suite
- Function in the emergency room, intensive care units, and other departments
- Perform elementary computer procedures as they apply to equipment, supply tracking, ordering and preference/pick list generation.
- Discuss basic inventory control concepts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of medical and surgical instrumentation, supplies, and equipment in various specialties
- Use good communication skills utilizing appropriate medical terminology.
- Maintain a professional deportment in responding quickly and accurately to urgent hospital departmental requests.
- Log a minimum of 400 hours of Central Service Technician clinical hands-on experience.
Prepare to take the National Certification Exam provided by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HISPA) and be a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST).