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.

Sterile Processing Certification Exam Prep Course

Learn more about sterile processing exam prep.

General Information Sessions

If you would like to learn more about the Central Sterile Processing program, register for one of the following General Information Meetings this fall. Each meeting will be held on Zoom and will last about one hour. We will answer many of the questions you have about the program.

In addition, if you plan to apply to the program for Fall 2022, you must attend a General Information Meeting or your application will not be processed.

Select a date and time from the list below and then click on the link to register in Zoom to attend the meeting. After you register, you will receive an email with a link for the meeting.

Date	Time	Zoom Link
December 8	12:30 PM	Zoom Registration
December 8	3 PM	Zoom Registration
December 13	Noon	Zoom Registration
December 13	3 PM	Zoom Registration
January 11	Noon	Zoom Registration
January 11	3 PM	Zoom Registration
January 25	Noon	Zoom Registration
January 25	3 PM	Zoom Registration
February 8	Noon	Zoom Registration
February 8	3 PM	Zoom Registration
February 22	Noon	Zoom Registration

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.

Application Requirements

The application for the Fall 2022 Central Sterile Processing Technology program will open on February 1, 2022.

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).
Completed pre-requisite courses prior to Fall 2022 admission
- BIOL 1000: Medical Terminology
- SURG 1304: Basic Anatomy
- SURG 2310: Microbiology and Asepsis

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

2021-22 Advising Sheet
2020-21 Advising Sheet
2019-20 Advising Sheet

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.