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Central Sterile Processing (D45180) Diploma

The Central Sterile Processing curriculum prepares individuals to function in the central service profession with the scientific principles that underlie their daily work.

Students will develop skills necessary to properly disinfect, prepare, process, store, and issue both sterile/nonsterile medical/surgical supplies and equipment for patient care. In addition, students will learn to operate sterilizing units and monitor effectiveness of the sterilization process.

Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the National Institute for the Certification of Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Personnel Examination. Employment opportunities include inpatient/outpatient surgery centers, dialysis units/facilities, and central processing units in hospitals.

Central Sterile Processing Admissions Criteria Admissions Criteria

The Central Sterile Processing program has admission criteria beyond the regular requirements of RCC. Students interested in this program are required to meet with the Surgical Technology/Central Sterile Processing Program Director and to obtain a Surgical Technology/Central Sterile Processing Admission Information packet from the Admission Office and are encouraged to discuss these special criteria with an admission counselor. Related and general education courses that are part of the central sterile processing curriculum may be taken before sterile processing (STP) and surgical technology (SUR)courses and before the sequence time in the catalog; however, courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and not adversely affect the required GPA of 2.0. A student must not fall behind the sequence of the curriculum plan stated in the catalog. A “D” grade in any STP/SUR curriculum course will cause the student to fall behind the sequence of the curriculum plan and no longer be eligible for acceptance to or continuation in the program. No “D” grade is allowed in any nursing curriculum or related courses.

The central sterile processing/surgical technology program is a limited-enrollment program. Eligible students are admitted on a space available basis to the program in the fall semester, provided they have met both general and program admission requirements. Students who are interested in the program must obtain a Surgical Technology/Central Sterile Processing Admission Information packet from the Admission Office. Once a student has completed all requirements noted on the check sheet, he/she may submit the Review Form and any required documentation to the Admissions Office.

There are two review period deadlines – October 1 for the first review period and February 1 for the final review. Incomplete Review Forms or forms submitted after these deadlines will not be considered. Students who are reviewed and are found ineligible for consideration for the current year’s class must submit a new Review Form and required documentation for the next year’s class.

The following are required for entrance to the program:

1. Submit completed Health History form.
2. Submit completed Personal History Form.
3. Send letter of intention to accept place in the program to Program Director.
4. Complete minimum of 2 hours of observation in an OR as arranged by Program Director.
5. Attend program orientation and submit:
a. Signed statement of Understanding Concerning Acceptance for Clinical Training;
b. Signed statement of Understanding Concerning Physical and Mental Health Status Compatible provide Safe Care.
c. Completed medical forms with required immunizations to include tetanus, polio,
and Hepatitis B (series may be completed or in process) TB screening, rubella vaccination or positive rubella titer, and a completed dental form.
d. Current CPR card (American Heart Association).
6. Any student without completed documents by deadlines in written correspondence will not be eligible for entry and an alternate will be invited to enter in that student’s place.
7. Police record check and/or random drug screens may be required at any time during the program at student’s expense.
Note: Priority may be given to applicants successfully completing Health Occupations in high school with “C’’ or better, having worked as Health Care provider for at least 6 months, or having spent at least 10 documented hours in observation of surgery.

Fall Semester			Class	Lab	Clinic	Wk Exp.	Credit
?ENG	111	Expository Writing	3	0	0	0	3
BIO	163	Basic Anat & Physiology	4	2	0	0	5
SUR	110	Intro to Surg Tech	3	0	0	0	3
SUR	111	Perioperative Patient Care	5	6	0	0	7

Spring Semester			Class	Lab	Clinic	Wk Exp.	Credit
BIO	275	Microbiology	3	3	0	0	4
SUR	122	Surgical Procedures I	5	3	0	0	6
STP	101	CSP Clinical I	0	0	21	0	7

Summer Semester			Class	Lab	Clinic	Wk Exp.	Credit
SUR	134	Surgical Procedures II	5	0	0	0	5
STP	102	CSP Clinical II	0	0	12	0	4
STP	103	Prof Success Prep	1	0	0	0	1