Sterile Processing, One-Year Technical Certificate

 Curriculum Code #2105

Effective May 2024

 Division of Health and Wellness Sciences

The Sterile Processing one-year technical certificate is a two-semester program that consists of academic, lab, and clinical skills. This certificate will provide individuals with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of sterile processing principles and techniques. Sterile processing technicians are an integral part of healthcare, as they are responsible for the decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of medical instruments and supplies. This is a highly specialized field that requires technical knowledge and skills, as well as a commitment to excellence and quality patient care. Upon completion of the program and 400 experience hours, the graduate will be prepared and take the Healthcare Sterile Processing’s (formally known as IAHCSMM) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) examination. This certificate program is also in alignment with a ladder pathway towards most Associate degree programs in Allied Health, in which it meets most prerequisite requirements to apply and matriculate into currently approved applied associate degrees. Lorain County Community College has articulation agreements with colleges and universities including programs offered by Lorain County Community College's University Partnership.

Note: The CRCST Certification is accredited by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall Semester		Hours
ALHN 112	INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY	1
ALHN 113	INTRODUCTION TO PATIENT CARE 2	1
ENGL 161	COLLEGE COMPOSITION I	3
SDEV 101	INTRODUCTION TO THE LCCC COMMUNITY 3	1
STRP 101	STERILE PROCESSING FUNDAMENTALS 1	5
STRP 120	STERILE PROCESSING ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES 1,4	5
	Hours	16
Spring Semester
BIOG 115 or BIOG 221	BODY STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 6 or ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I	3-4
CISS 121	MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS I	3
MTHM 158 or MTHM 168	QUANTITATIVE REASONING or STATISTICS	3
STRP 113	STERILE PROCESSING DIRECTED PRACTICE I 5	5
STRP 114 or STRP 115	STERILE PROCESSING DIRECTED PRACTICE II 4,5 or STERILE PROCESSING INTERNSHIP	5
	Hours	19-20
	Total Hours	35-36

¹

Indicates that a grade of C (2.0) or better must be earned in order to continue in the sequence.

²

Students who have STNA status are not required to take ALHN 113

³

A student must register for the orientation course when enrolling for more than six credit hours per semester or any course that would result in an accumulation of 13 or more credit hours.

⁴

Indicates that this course has a prerequisite.

⁵

This course offers an opportunity for experiential learning.

⁶

If a student is considering an LCCC associate degree or transferring to the University Partnership consider BIOG 221 & BIOG 222 sequence.

For information about admissions, enrollment, transfer, graduation and other general questions, please contact your advising team.

Admission Requirements for Sterile Processing

1. Official high school or GED and college/program transcripts (if applicable) on file in the LCCC Records office.
2. Student will be at least 18 years of age by start of clinicals (Fall Start-18 by 1/1, Spring Start- 18 by 5/1) 
3. Most recent GPAs (high school or college) of 2.0 or higher will be given admission priority. 
4. Attend an information session via self-paced online or in-person.

Allied health professionals: Applicants from a patient care related allied health/nursing background may transfer credit or receive credit through prior learning assessment for the following sterile processing course:

• ALHN 113 INTRODUCTION TO PATIENT CARE

ADMISSION PROCEDURES: 

a. Each fall and spring semester, a maximum of 20 applicants will be admitted to the STRP program.

 b. The following criteria (listed in the order of consideration), will be utilized to rank the pool of applicants:

1. Applications submitted in completion (Meaning all pre-admission items are complete at the time of applying)
2. Comprehensive Grade Point Average
3. Date application is completed 

c. Only select Pre-Admission Requirements can be In Progress at the time of applying. The preadmission requirements allowed to be in progress while applying for the STRP program are as follows:

i. Official High School transcripts received, reserved for students enrolled in CCP. Student is responsible for getting transcripts sent to LCCC for evaluation at the time of their graduation from CCP program.

PROGRAM ADMISSION

 a. Admitted students will be given a deadline to either accept or decline their seat in the program. If the applicant fails to respond to the admission notification by the deadline, the seat in the program will be extended to the next eligible candidate in the applicant pool. The notification cycle will be repeated until the program has been filled. Once an applicant has enrolled in any STRP program course, they will be considered a STRP student, and thus removed from all other allied health applicant pools.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

a. STRP students must earn a grade of C or better in each course outlined on the STRP curriculum guide. Additionally, for students completing the One-Year certificate, it is also recommended that students have a C or better in each science and math course. Newly admitted students will also be required to: 

i. Complete Health Packet items and Physical Examination Record (available on the LCCC website), and obtain an annual flu shot. 

ii. Provide proof of current American Heart Association - Healthcare Provider or BLS CPR certification. No other CPR Card will be accepted. This requirement may be completed at LCCC by taking Basic First Aid & Safety - HLED 153 (2 cr.), or CardioPulmonary Resuscitation - HLED 154, (1 cr.), or BLS for the Healthcare Provider - NEMS 150 (non-credit). Likewise, CPR Renewal Certification AHA/BLS/HCP - HLED 164 (1 cr.) is offered at LCCC for an individual whose CPR certification is due to expire.

iii. Submit to a background screening and drug testing— it may not be possible to secure clinical placement for a student whose background check (or other required exams), reflect previous and/or current infractions or other disqualifying information.

iv. Students will be given a deadline to complete and submit the items indicated above. Failure to adhere to the deadline will result in the loss of one’s seat in the program. Lastly, STRP students will be expected to be familiar with all policies and procedures contained in the STRP Student Handbook.

Learn more about Allied Health program requirements 

Credit for Prior Learning (PLA) options may be available for your program.  For more information, please visit our website:  www.lorainccc.edu/PLA

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Sterile Processing Certificate, the graduate will be able to:

1. Accurately demonstrate a safe and professional level of practice, skills and knowledge in their role as an entry-level Sterile Processing Technician.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principle, practices, and safety regulations in sterile processing to ensure safety and quality of patient care. 
3. Demonstrate effective communication and team-building skills when working with colleagues in sterile processing.
4. Develop and maintain records related to sterilization processes along with identifying and troubleshooting common issues that may arise with sterilization equipment.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical, moral, legal, and medical standards related to the patient and the sterile processing team.
6. Graduates will be prepared to take the Healthcare Sterile Processing’s (formally known as IAHCSMM) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) examination.