Sterile Processing Pathway
Advance your career in the medical field by becoming a Sterile Processing Technician! Sterile Processing is the management of the entire process of decontamination, assembly, packing, sterilizing and distribution of medical instruments and devices. Properly trained Sterile Processing Technicians are vital in all healthcare settings.
The Education Fund is offering the Sterile Processing Technician Program through Martinson College to eligible members located throughout California, and Altamont Healthcare for members located in the Bakersfield and Stockton areas. These programs provide training in Introduction to Sterile Processing & Health Services, Decontamination and Surgical Tray Assembly, Sterilization & Storage, Exam Application, Preparation and Course Review.
All tuition/fees for the course will be paid for by the Education Fund. Two certificates are available: Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician (CSPDT) in all regions, and Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) in Southern California. Participants in Southern California will have an externship (400-hour externship/clinical training is not included in the 16-week duration).
How Can Becoming a Sterile Processing Tech Advance Your Career?
- Grow into more advanced positions by obtaining additional formal training and relevant credentials.
- Advance into supervisory positions such as Lead Technician or Department Manager.
- Some sterile processing techs go on to train for careers as Surgical Technologists.
- Provides an excellent gateway to other healthcare careers.
Application
To be eligible to apply for the Pathway, a candidate must:
- Be eligible for Education Fund benefits.
- Have basic computer skills.*
- Possess basic English and reading comprehension skills.*
* To improve your skills, classes are available through the Education Fund! Learn more.
Two Certificates Available
Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician (CSPDT): Available in all regions.
- Accredited Online.
- Meets requirement for entry level Sterile Processing Technician positions that do not require a clinical component.
- Certificate of Completion will be provided for online training.
National CSPDT exam is optional. For job placement, check with your employer if national certification is required for the Sterile Processing Technician position.
For job placement, check with your employer if national certification is required for the Sterile Processing Technician position.
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST): Clinical placement available for participants enrolled in Altamont Healthcare and participants located in Southern California enrolled in Martinson College.
- Accredited Online and In-Person Clinical Program.
- Requires 400 hours externship/clinical training completion.
- 15-hour CRCST exam preparatory course.
- Certificate of Completion will be provided for online training.
- National CRCST exam is required.
For job placement, check with your employer if national certification is required for the Sterile Processing Technician position.
Program Locations & Dates
Bakersfield
Weekend Class
Start Date: August 6 – September 24, 2021
Application Deadline: July 16, 2021
Online Orientation: July 30, 2021
Day Class Option 1
Start Date: August 17 – September 23, 2021
Application Deadline: July 27, 2021
Online Orientation: August 10, 2021
Day Class Option 2
Start Date: August 23 – September 27, 2021
Application Deadline: August 2, 2021
Online Orientation: August 16, 2021
Night Class
Start Date: August 23 – October 4, 2021
Application Deadline: August 2, 2021
Online Orientation: August 16, 2021
- 6-8 weeks hybrid program
- Online learning on a set schedule with live instructors
- In-person lab on campus
- 400-hour externship available for both campuses
- To be eligible, participants must successfully complete the Altamont SPT course, pass their CSPDT exam, and request placement.
- Externship not guaranteed
Stockton
Weekend Class
Start Date: August 6 – September 24, 2021
Application Deadline: July 16, 2021
Online Orientation: July 30, 2021
Day Class Option 1
Start Date: August 17 – September 23, 2021
Application Deadline: July 27, 2021
Online Orientation: August 10, 2021
Day Class Option 2
Start Date: August 23 – September 27, 2021
Application Deadline: August 2, 2021
Online Orientation: August 16, 2021
Night Class
Start Date: August 23 – October 4, 2021
Application Deadline: August 2, 2021
Online Orientation: August 16, 2021
- 6-8 weeks hybrid program
- Online learning on a set schedule with live instructors
- In-person lab on campus
- 400-hour externship available for both campuses
- To be eligible, participants must successfully complete the Altamont SPT course, pass their CSPDT exam, and request placement.
- Externship not guaranteed
All of California
Start Date: September 27, 2021
Application Deadline: September 1, 2021
- 16-week online program
- 120 hours online and 8 hour virtual classroom session.
- 400-hour externship available for eligible members located in Southern California only (not included in the 16-week duration).
- Externship not guaranteed
Get Started
If you’re interested, feel like you might be a good fit and are ready to get started, please schedule an appointment with a career counselor.
For questions, please ask a career counselor by using the Find Out More button below: