What does it mean to earn your Certified Registered Central Service Technician certification?
Passing your Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam proves to employers that you understand the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as a Sterile Processing Technician. This certification helps you to stand out in a fast-growing field.
Why Earn Your Certification?
Earning your certification proves to employers that you are knowledgeable in all aspects of your field. Here are some key reasons why you should earn your certification:
- Employers prefer certification – show employers that your education is up to industry standards
- Potential for promotion – demonstrate that you are a go-getter and would be a great candidate for advancement
- Skills confidence – be day-one ready with industry-preferred skills
Certified Registered Central Service Technician Certification Outcomes
This certification ensures individuals can:
- Use medical terminology and understand disease processes as well as the anatomy and physiology needed to ensure safety for future patients
- Communicate effectively and professionally and provide excellent customer service
- Follow compliance standards such as HIPAA, OSHA, ANSI, and AAMI
- Identify workflow processes for cleaning, decontaminating, preparing, packaging and sterilization of equipment and instruments
- Differentiate quality control and assurance methods as well as understand the importance of central service process documentation
- Describe the importance of manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU), infection control and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout central service areas and their impact on personnel and patient safety
Overview of the Issuing Authority
The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (formerly IAHCSMM), is the premier association for Sterile Processing professionals worldwide for more than 60 years. HSPA has served more than 40,000 members and certification holders throughout the world.
Certification requirements
To be eligible for full certification, students must have already completed 400 hours of experience in a sterile processing department or within six months of passing the exam. This is broken up into the following areas of experience:
- Decontamination (120 hours)
- Preparing & Packaging Instruments (120 hours)
- Sterilization & Disinfection (96 hours)
- Storage & Distribution (24 hours)
- Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
- Equipment (16 hours)
Students residing in Pennsylvania are required to become certified within a state-mandated period of time after employment. This is not a barrier to enrollment for students but should be reviewed with Workforce Training Specialist at the time of enrollment.
Select the right training program for your goals
Sterile Processing Technician
Through our online sterile processing training program, you will learn how to prepare, sterilize, install, and clean laboratory or healthcare equipment in order to provide the safest environment for patients in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Meet Your Training Specialist!
Your Workforce Training Specialist will help you understand your program, help with clinical placement, and answer any questions you have! Get in touch with your Workforce Training Specialist to learn more about your program, Harrisburg University, and how to start achieving your career goals.
To begin the enrollment process, please contact Mrs. Miller at 717.506.3401 or admiller@cvschools.org to get started.