Central Processing Technology Technical Certificate

Overview

Be instrumental to the OR.

The Central Processing Technical Certificate readies you for a successful healthcare career preparing the operating room for surgical procedures: sterilizing instruments, gathering supplies, and delivering equipment properly ahead of surgery. Build solid foundational knowledge in anatomy, medical terminology, and microbiology. Receive specialized training in what surgical instruments are, the handling and use of instruments for specific procedures, and the clinical setting experience you need for employment.

Learn from qualified faculty and/or preceptors to independently apply sound theory to practice. Extensive classroom time and practical clinical experience prepare you to complete the certification exam of your choice to become a certified central service processing and distribution technician.

Consumer Information

Gainful Employment Disclosures: Central Processing

If you have additional questions regarding the application, selection, and admission process for the Central Sterile Processing (CSPT) program at Nashville State Community College, please send an email to CentralProcessing@nscc.edu and put CSPT Application and Admission in the subject line.

Selection Criteria

Acceptance into the program will be based on:

Previous grade point average.
Interview score.
Successful completion of courses counting toward Central Processing Technology program (see Advising and Curriculum link to the right) with a C (75) or higher.
Previous work in the medical field.

Tennessee residency is not a requirement for the program.

Application Packet

Fall 2020 Program Application deadline is June 5, 2020.

Applications for Fall 2020 are now open. If you would like an Application Packet, please email the Program Coordinator, Van Bates, including the following:

Put "Application" in the subject line of your email
Include your name
Include the A number you were assigned
Include your preferred contact phone number.

You must have done the following to be eligible to apply to our programs:

Completed your application to Nashville State Community College (declare Health Sciences AS as your major)
Taken any necessary placement tests (Accuplacer, Michigan Test) if you need them
Enroll in any Learning Support (Except math; Learning Support math is NOT required.) or English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes you place into (these must be successfully completed prior to starting the program in the fall).

The Program Coordinator's email address is Van.Bates@nscc.edu

Advising and Curriculum

Advising

See your advisor early to ensure you take the courses you need to complete the 26 credit-hour technical certificate. Find Your Advisor Online

Central Processing Technology Technical Certificate
2020-21 Advising Sheet (PDF)
2019-20 Advising Sheet (PDF)

Technical Certificate Fact Sheet
Central Processing Technology Program

Curriculum

BIOL 1000 – Medical Terminology *
SURG 1304 – Basic Anatomy/Physiology *
SURG 2310 – Surg. Microbiology & Asepsis *
CSPT 1401 – Intro to Central Processing
CSPT 1102 – Central Processing Skills Lab
CSPT 1310 – Central Processing Capstone
CSPT 1511 – Central Processing Practicum I
CSPT 1412 – Central Processing Practicum II

* These courses count toward the Central Processing Technology certificate and may be taken prior to acceptance into the program. Taking these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Please see the NSCC Catalog for course descriptions and syllabi.

Accreditation

Students successfully completing the program will be eligible to sit for the national certifying exam offered by the International Association of Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM) or the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) and receive certification the Certified Registered Central Service Technician credential from IAHCSMM or the Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician credential from CBSPD.

For more information on the field of Central Processing, please visit the IAHCSMM website www.iahcsmm.org or the CBSPD website www.sterileprocessing.org.