Sterile Processing & Distribution - Certificate 

Area of Study: Sterile Processing & Distribution 
Degree/Certificate: Certificate of Proficiency 
Program Description

The sterile processing and distribution technician decontaminates, inspects, assembles, and sterilizes instruments and surgical trays. The technician also manages inventory control, orders supplies, inspects, maintains, delivers and retrieves equipment and instruments for the surgery suite, emergency room and intensive care units. A hands-on clinical practicum experience in an area hospital is included in the course of study. This program prepares graduates for eligibility for the National Certifying Examination given by the National Institute for the Certification of Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Personnel. Degree: Students may apply credits toward the Surgical Technology program, or meet with an academic counselor to apply credits toward an Associate of Technical Studies degree.

This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following program outcomes:
Sterile Processing and Distribution Technology Certificate of Proficiency Outcomes.pdf

Program Requirements
Program Admission Requirements:

Application may be submitted to the Health Careers Enrollment Center after meeting the following requirements:

  • High School Graduate/GED
  • ENG-1010
  • Complete MATH-0950 with “C” or higher.
  • Complete MA-1020 with “C” or higher.
  • GPA required: 2.0 admission requirements, 2.0 overall
  Other Information:
  • 16 students accepted per year.
  • All admissions requirements (except ENG-1010) must have been completed within seven years of admission to program, and may only be repeated once to improve a grade.
  • Criminal background check required.
 

Suggested Semester Sequence

First Semester Credits

BIO-1100
OR
BIO-1050

Introduction to Biological Chemistry
OR
Human Biology (1)


3

ENG-1010

College Composition I

3

MA-1020

Medical Terminology I

3

MATH-1060
OR
MATH-1141

Survey of Mathematics
OR
Applied Algebra and Mathematical Reasoning or higher (2)


3

SURT-1700

Sterile Processing Tech I

4

SURT-1720

Introduction to Hospital Administration

1

Total

17

Second Semester Credits

HTEC-1110

Ethics for Health Care Professionals

1

IT-1010

Introduction to Microcomputer Applications

3

SPCH-1000
OR
SPCH-1010

Fund of Interpersonal Communication
OR
Fundamentals of Speech Communication


3

SURT-1861

Clinical Experience: Sterile Processing

2

SURT-1710

Sterile Processing Tech II

4

Total

13

Program Total Credits

30

Notes

(1) BIO-1050 is a lecture course only, and may be selected in place of BIO-1100 if working for the Certificate only. Students wishing to apply coursework to the Surgical Technology degree program must take BIO-1100.

(2) MATH-1800-1819/2800-2819 & 1820/2820 may not be used to meet this requirement. Students wishing to transfer coursework into the degree program should take MATH-1141.

Program Outcome