Central Sterile Processing and Distribution

This course is designed to prepare you for the expanding field of sterile processing of medical instruments. Skills learned will include how to properly disinfect, process, store, and issue both sterile and non-sterile supplies and equipment for patient care.

Students will learn to operate sterilizing units and monitor the effectiveness of the sterilization process.  Graduates will be eligible to take the certification exam for Registered Central Service Technician, earning the title of Provisional CRCST. 

Employment opportunities include acute care hospitals, surgical centers, and clinics where invasive procedures are performed.

Employment of certified sterile processing and distribution technicians is up 24% in the last year with starting pay around $16 to $18 per hour.

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

  1. Apply principles of medical equipment sterilization and disinfection in the healthcare arena.
  2. Demonstrate competency in the skills and knowledge required for an entry-level sterile processing technician.
  3. Apply principles of distribution of instruments, supplies, and equipment.
  4. Use critical thinking to recognize, analyze, and solve problems related to sterile processing.

If you have questions or you would like to receive information by email, please complete the contact form below.

Scholarship Opportunities

shift_ed Short-Term Workforce Training Scholarship

If you've graduated from Guilford County Schools since 2021, you may be eligible for a shift_ed scholarship for this program. Read eligibility details and apply.

GTCC Workforce Training Scholarships

Complete the Workforce Continuing Education scholarship application, and GTCC will help you find the best opportunity among our many scholarship programs.

Learn how to pay for college

Frequently Asked Questions

Students must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED), as well as a Social Security card (no exceptions). If you are new to GTCC and you received your high school diploma in another country, it must be approved before registering for this course. Please email Jesse Cross at jlcross@gtcc.edu to have this done.

The CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) certification requires that you pass the certification exam and complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a SP department. These hours can be completed before testing (full CRCST) or after testing (Provisional CRCST). After completing the GTCC training program, you are eligible to take the written exam.  Passing this exam will give you Provisional status.   HSPA recommends completing, or at least beginning, your hours of experience before testing. Hands-on experience provides an invaluable resource with which to better understand the standards, knowledge, and practices needed to be successful in an SP department and on the CRCST exam. Your clinical hours in your GTCC course can count towards the 400 hours, provided you keep track of your hours.  GTCC will not be able to provide you with a copy of your clinical hours. Any remaining hours will have to be completed once you are hired.   More information on the accumulation of these hours can be found on the HSPA website https://myhspa.org/certification/become-certified/

 Please email Amy Byerly at aeleonard@gtcc.edu to request being added to the interest list.

The registration fee for this course is $334.50. Financial aid is not available for the class as it is a noncredit certificate course. 

The textbook cost is included in the registration fee.  It will be available for you to collect the first day of class.

More information:

  • Students will be REQUIRED to buy a student ID badge for $5.
  • Students will need to bring in cash, a check, or a card to the cashier’s office on each campus.

NOTE: The evening class students MUST come to either the Greensboro or Jamestown campus during the day. The cashiers' offices close at 5 p.m.

 

DRESS CODE

Starting your first day:

  • Dark gray or light blue scrubs
  • Closed-toe shoes with backs are required.
  • Hair must be off your shoulders and must not touch your collar.
  • Fingernails MUST NOT pass the fingertips and NO artificial nails may be worn at any time during the course.

For more questions about course requirements, please email Karen Spriggs Grissett at klspriggs@gtcc.edu.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The attendance policy is very strict. You may be dismissed from the program if you are absent more than once or are tardy more than three times during the theory and clinical portions of the class. You will be dismissed if you are more than five minutes late or absent during clinical.
  • You will be given one multiple-choice question final exam. You must score 80% on the final to receive your certificate.
  • You must be able to accept constructive criticism, control your temper, and follow directions carefully.
  • Disrespectful, interruptive, disruptive, or impatient behavior toward the instructors, fellow students, staff, or clinical staff will not be tolerated at any time.
  • You may be dismissed if the instructor suspects you are a safety risk in clinical.
  • You may be dismissed if you are caught cheating or suspected of alcohol or drug use on campus or before class.
  • If you are dismissed from a class for any reason, you are not eligible for a refund.

 

  1. Disability Services: The health careers faculty and staff want all students to be successful.  If you have any special needs, please contact the DisAbility Access Services department before starting your class so that arrangements can be made for the first day. Please call 336-334-4822, ext. 50113. 
  2. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or (ESL): If you feel you need assistance with comprehension of the English language, you may call 336-334-4822, ext. 53107. This is highly encouraged before enrolling in an NA 1 course.
  3. Learning Resource Centers: As a student in a health career training program, you have access to the Learning Resource Centers on all three campus locations.
  4. Veterans Resource Center: If you think you are eligible for VA/Military Education Benefits, please contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL1 or 888-442-4551.  Eligibility is ultimately determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, not GTCC.  For additional information, you can contact Cara High, Coordinator, at 336-334-4822, ext. 50521.

Veterans and active-duty military personnel with special circumstances are welcome and encouraged to communicate these to your instructor or any member of the health careers administration. Thank you for your service to our country.

No background check is required for this course.

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