Just the Facts
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Sterile Processing Technician
- 6 Credit Technical Diploma
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Program Length
- Less Than One Year
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Delivery Method
- Face-to-Face
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Career Cluster
- Healthcare
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Program Location
- Eau Claire
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Start Months
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January
Bloodborne Pathogens
Students in this program should be aware of the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens.
- Estimated Total
- $1,316
Sterile Processing Technician Overview
Are you looking for a career in healthcare and anxious to start working right away? The Sterile Processing Technician program allows you to earn a technical diploma in less than one year!
Sterile processing is the hub for all activities involving supplies and equipment for surgery, obstetric, emergency departments, and other patient care areas. Students learn the principles of standard precautions, asepsis, disinfection, and sterilization procedures.
As a Sterile Processing Technician, you will:
- Maintain an uninterrupted supply of instrumentation and supplies used in patient care.
- Support patient care services and be especially involved in the prevention of infection.
- Clean, sterilize and process patient products, including surgical instruments, power equipment, robotic instruments, fiber optic scopes, cameras, and other specialty instrumentation.
- Maintain records associated with supply orders, charges, and inventory.
This program will include classroom instruction and a clinical experience in a local hospital.
Earn credit for prior learning!
Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning
Explore This Program
Career Opportunities
- Central Processing Technician
- Sterile Processing Technician
Graduate Employers
- Mayo Clinic Health System
- Marshfield Clinic
- Hudson Hospital & Clinic
- Surgery Partners
Graduate Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
$45K* yearly salary
Sterile Processing Technician professionals make an average starting salary of $45,354.
100% continuing their education
100% of recent Sterile Processing Technician graduates have continued their education beyond this degree.
11 regional jobs
There are 11 job openings in the CVTC district for the Sterile Processing Technician industry.
* This wage is not specific to CVTC graduates. Wage estimates are based on entry-level positions and are gathered from Lightcast which is an economic modeling software that blends historical and projected industry and occupation trends within CVTC's 11-county district. Wage estimates are based on Occupational Employment Statistics and the American Community Survey. ↩
Transfer Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Sterile Processing Technician program.
Sample Courses
Medical Law, Ethics & Professionalism
Prepares students to display professionalism and perform within ethical and legal boundaries in the health care setting. Students maintain confidentiality, examine legal aspects of the medical record, perform quality improvement procedures, examine legal and bioethical issues, and demonstrate awareness of diversity.
Sterile Processing Technician Fundamentals
Introduces packaging, cleaning techniques, care, handling, identification, and usage of instruments, equipment and supplies, basic aseptic techniques and patient centered practices in the lab setting. Students will also spend time working in a Central Service Department at a local hospital.
Sterile Processing Technician Clinical
Learner is given the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the clinical setting at a local hospital. Time will be spent in the central service department as well as the operating room.
Request More Information
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Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
Advising Tips
We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.