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Sterile Processing Technician Schools

By Allison Skoglind, allied health world contributing writer
Published: March, 17 2011

Where are sterile processing technician schools located?

Formal education and training opportunities for sterile processing techs can be found in technical colleges, community colleges, continuing education centers, universities, business colleges, libraries, academic institutes, online schools, and area hospitals. Students looking for on-site programs may find them available in states and cities such as New Jersey (Clifton, Dover), Florida (West Palm Beach, Panama City), Tennessee (Nashville, Clarksville), Texas (Houston, Grand Prairie, Dallas), North Carolina (Cary, Cape Carteret), South Carolina (Graniteville), Ohio (Akron, Cincinnati), California (Hayward), Arkansas (Little Rock), Illinois (Chicago Heights), Wisconsin (Marshfield), Arizona (Phoenix), Connecticut (Bridgeport), and Michigan (Lansing).

Methods of instruction between programs may vary; however, a majority of SPT programs teach students through a combination of lectures from experienced instructors, group workshops, classroom study, clinical practice in lab settings, online activities, written examinations, and guided readings. A “certificate of completion” is commonly awarded to students that successfully complete all required coursework within an SPT program. Students are generally encouraged to enroll in a program or course that is accredited and qualifies graduates to sit for a sterile processing technician certification examination by the International Association of Healthcare Central Services and Material Management (IAHCSMM) or the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). Some SPT programs may require drug screening and/or criminal background checks prior to admission.

What academic subjects are typically taught in sterile processing technician programs?

SPT programs are designed to provide academic instruction in several different field-related subjects to properly prepare students for future job opportunities. Many of these programs begin by teaching students the fundamentals of life sciences as they relate to microbiology, disease transmission, modes of contamination, microorganisms, microbial growth conditions, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, and disease prevention.

Students can also expect SPT programs to delve into the field of sterile processing and distribution by administering an introductory course into sterile processing including the responsibilities, regulations, and principles of customer service associated with the profession.  Other courses will likely educate students in areas of sterilization such as sterile storage, preparation and packaging for sterilization, and methods of sterilization including steam, dry heat, ethylene oxide gas, low temperature gas plasma, and peracetic acid. Additional education in aspects of sanitation like decontamination, chemical disinfection, and techniques in manual and mechanical cleaning can also be expected from SPT programs.

Other topics of SPT curriculum may encompass topics in safety, first-aid, pharmacology, inventory control, supply distribution, material management, and flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes. A flexible gastrointestinal endoscope is a long, thin, flexible rod with a small camera attached to the end that is inserted into the gastrointestinal tract in order to view the inside of the body. Finally, since SPTs work with many different medical instruments, students are often required to complete a supervised clinical training portion where they can apply lessons in surgical instrumentation, preparation and handling of surgical instruments, and procedures for instrumentation inspection in actual health care and medical settings. 

Learn about sterile processing technician jobs.