Sterile Processing Technician Training Curriculum
The Sterile Processing Technician Training Curriculum offers real-world training developed by professional educators and sterile processing experts. Lessons start with the basics of terminology and techniques before focusing on modern technologies, quality assurance, inventory management, and central service communications as you prepare for a career in one of the most important roles for an allied health professional.
Sterile Processing Orientation
Orientation: Learning at Ashworth
In this course, you’ll examine the goals and values of Ashworth College, time management, creating a realistic weekly and monthly study schedule, the nature and purpose of assessments, how to study effectively to prepare for and take an online examination, and developing the skill sets necessary for success in the twenty-first century.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
Introduction to Allied Health
In this course, you’ll be introduced to healthcare, the healthcare industry in the United States, and the roles that healthcare workers play in that industry.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
Lesson Group 1: Building Blocks of Sterile Processing
In this course, you’ll be introduced to medical terminology and learn the parts of various words. Then, you’ll move to anatomy and physiology to learn more about the various components of the human body and their functions, such as bones, muscles, and tissues. This lesson also covers directional and regional terms used to better describe a patient’s concerns, as well as different regions of the body. In microbiology, you’ll learn more about the parts of cells and how various pathogens cause disease. Finally, you’ll learn the math and computer skills needed to succeed in your position as a sterile processing technician.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
Define medical terminology and the origin of medical terminology
Identify the four major word parts used in medical terminology
Discuss the relevance of medical terminology in terms of how it correlates to service quality in the operative environment and the identification of surgical procedures
Discuss the roles of cells, tissues, and organs within the human body
Identify human body planes
Describe the nine major body systems and surgical operations that may correlate with these systems
Describe microbiology and how it correlates with principles of the central services department
Explain ways in which microorganisms can be identified
Define bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and prions
Explain the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
Identify common bloodborne pathogens found in the workplace
Describe how to calculate and convert temperature
Solve simple problems by applying the concepts described in the lesson
Describe the four common arithmetic operations
Identify the parts of a computer
Identify the two types of software applications
Discuss Microsoft Word and basic word-processing tasks
Describe the purpose of spreadsheet software applications
Discuss Microsoft Excel and basic spreadsheet tasks
Lesson Group 2: Sterile Processing Technology, Part 1
In this course, you’ll be introduced to the sterile processing department and its work processes, as well as your employers’ expectations. You’ll also learn about the regulations and standards that you’ll abide by in a healthcare environment. Next, you’ll learn about aseptic technique and how infections spread. This will help you and other healthcare employees protect patients and keep everyone from being exposed to harmful infections. You’ll then go back to the sterile processing department and learn how medical equipment is cleaned, decontaminated, and disinfected. The lesson will finish with an introduction to the surgical instruments you’ll be working with.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
Discuss the importance of the sterile processing department to the operation of healthcare facilities
Explain the standards, ethics, guidelines, professional standards, and safety regulations that guide the sterile processing profession
Discuss the specific roles, basic knowledge skills, and functions of the sterile processing technician
Review workflow within the sterile processing department
Discuss the various federal and state regulatory agencies and how they’re pertinent to sterile processing
Define regulations, standards, and recommended practices
Discuss the HIPAA privacy and security rules and their implications in healthcare
Distinguish between privacy and security
Identify types of protected health information (PHI) within a healthcare setting
Explain essential components of PHI policies and procedural protocols
Discuss the role of a healthcare department’s privacy officer
Discuss Spaulding’s Classifications for reprocessing medical devices
Identify basic procedures and guidelines for establishing aseptic technique
Distinguish medical versus surgical asepsis
Discuss five basic principles of aseptic technique
Identify basic procedures and guidelines for transporting medical equipment and opening supplies using asepsis
Explain what is meant by the chain of infection and ways to break it
Discuss the role personal protective equipment plays in the prevention of disease transmission
Explain how to clean general, powered, and delicate instruments
Define cleaning and decontamination and their processes
Discuss water pH and quality, the various detergents used for decontamination, and the various pieces of equipment used to decontaminate medical instrumentation
Discuss the different types of disinfection
Identify basic and complex instrumentation and their design and guidelines for reprocessing
Identify how surgical instruments are used in specific surgical procedures and are pertinent to their specialties
Lesson Group 3: Sterile Processing Technology, Part 2
This course will further explore the equipment and processes you’ll encounter in the sterile processing department. First, you’ll learn how instruments are prepared and packaged before being transported to various departments in the hospital. Then, you’ll look at sterilization techniques and how you’ll monitor sterilizers to ensure they’re running efficiently. The next lesson will outline best practices for receiving, selecting, and distributing inventory, and how to keep track of equipment being used in your facility.
You’ll also learn about the specialty departments in the hospital and the equipment they use to care for patients.
Finally, you’ll gain the tools needed to succeed in your new career as a sterile processing technician. You’ll understand the various workplace hazards you might encounter and how you can help out during an incident. You’ll learn how to effectively communicate with your coworkers from a wide range of backgrounds and how to grow your professional and personal reputation.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
Identify different packaging and assembly procedures for medical devices
Identify procedures for transporting sterile equipment
Describe immediate-use steam sterilization and when it’s used within the operative environment
Describe the differences between low- and high-temperature sterilization
Explain how to load packaged medical devices into sterilizers
Identify various components of the steam sterilizer, their functions, and sterilizer cycle phases
Describe physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological monitoring procedures
Identify the various inventory replenishment systems and how they’re used in sterile processing
Discuss how ancillary services support sterile processing
Define the distribution process
Discuss the receiving and requisitioning of medical supplies and equipment
Identify reasons for record-keeping in the sterile processing department
Describe quality assurance principles as they relate to sterilization monitoring and other processes in sterile processing
Identify consumable items used in sterile processing
Discuss how ancillary services and regulatory agencies support sterile processing
Define the distribution process
List the importance of preventative maintenance in sterile processing
Discuss systems used to track medical equipment
Discuss receiving and requisitioning of medical supplies and equipment
Identify the information systems that support sterile processing
Explain OSHA compliance standards and how they contribute to safety in the workplace
Identify safety guidelines, permissible exposure limits, and electrical safety concerns within the sterile processing department
Identify guidelines for handling and disposing of hazardous materials
Differentiate internal and external workplace hazards
Distinguish different types of communication and between formal and informal groups
Define diversity
List characteristics of teamwork and personal and professional development in sterile processing
Sterile Processing Program Description
The Sterile Processing certificate program is designed to provide you with knowledge of the sterile processing work done by central service technicians, which includes an understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and microbiology and follows principles of aseptic technique, process sterilization, quality assurance, risk management, and professional development.
Sterile Processing Program Objectives
After completing the Sterile Processing program, students will be able to do the following:
Recognize the fundamental practices and procedures of aseptic technique.
Identify common pathogens found in the medical setting and the precautionary measures healthcare workers take to minimize the risk of contracting diseases.
Identify HIPAA privacy rules and regulations and patient information commonly maintained by a healthcare facility.
Recognize the duties and requirements of the sterile processing technician in the healthcare setting.
Identify basic concepts of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, microorganisms, and medical terminology related to the duties of sterile processing technicians.
Identify industry regulations and best practice standards common in the sterile processing field and the organizations responsible for setting the regulations and standards.
Identify common and complex surgical instruments, industry approved practices for decontamination and sterilization of medical supplies and equipment, and the proper ways to transport equipment.
Identify procedures for effective inventory control and tracking of instruments, equipment, and supplies.
Recognize quality assurance practices and workplace safety procedures.
Identify the importance of teamwork, workplace communication, and customer relations in the sterile processing setting.
Identify basic concepts of technology, writing, communication, and math skills used in the workplace.
Ashworth College's
API Program Name Career Diploma program helps you develop the confidence you need to reach for your career goals because we integrate job search prep into your studies. With the online tools at the Ashworth College Central Network, you’ll get step-by-step guidance as you create polished, professional resumes and letters. After you graduate, you’ll keep your Ashworth College Central Network account so you can revisit the tools any time you need to make a good impression on a potential employer. Learn more about it at the
Career Services page.
