A male and female student wearing medical scrubs carefully lift a cloth sheet during a Central Sterile Processing class at Durham Tech.

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Jean D. Brown
Director, Allied Health
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Central Sterile Processing (Continuing Education)

Short Term

Central Sterile Processing Technicians serve surgeons by processing and assembling surgical instruments and supporting inventory in operating rooms. Upon completion of this course, students are able to apply the principles of sterilization and disinfection in the workplace as well as knowledge about distribution of instruments, supplies, and equipment. Students also prepare to take the Certification for Health Care Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician’s exam. The course requires a daytime clinical.


Central Sterile Processing Hybrid

This hybrid course meets online one night a week and a daytime clinical, at an offsite location, one day a week.

Program Prerequisites and Requirements

(These items are not covered in the course fee)

  • Proof of high school diploma or high school equivalency
  • Proof of the following immunizations are due at the time of registration: (two doses or positive titer MMR, Varicella; T/dap; Hep B series; Influenza/Flu (exempt for summer term only); and TB (annual TB test).
  • Hunter green scrubs (tops and bottoms) and puncture resistant, closed toe shoes or sneaker (all white or all black)
  • Criminal background check and drug screening which will be administered by Castle Branch. Do not do this on your own. Information will be provided at orientation once a student registers for a class.
  • CPR certification - only the American Heart Association Basic Life Support is accepted. 
  • Proof of medical health insurance 
  • Following successful completion of the course, certification for Central Sterile Processing Technician is available for those who apply to take the examinations.
     

Registration

View the Allied Health Checklist and attend an information session to learn how to submit prerequisites and how to register.

Central Sterile Processing qualifies for financial assistance.

Upcoming Program Events

PHM-3002A Central Sterile Processing

This course introduces the primary responsibilities of a central sterile processing technician. Upon completion, students will be able to apply the principles of sterilization and disinfection in the workplace, as well as distribution of instruments, supplies, and equipment. Students will be required to complete 30 hours of clinical application as well as a 4 hour Basic Life Support (BLS) course. Students also prepare to take the Certification for Health are Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician's exam. Prerequisites: 1) High School Diploma or Equivalent, AND 2) Proof of the following immunizations are due at the time of registration: two doses or positive titer MMR, Varicella, T/dap, Hep B series, Influenza/Flu (exempt for summer only), TB (annual TB test), and COVID-19 vaccinations and booster; AND 3) Medical health insurance. Students must submit proof of prerequisites prior to registration. Please email cealliedhealth@durhamtech.edu for questions regarding the program or registration process.
Section
Number
Dates Location Building Room Time Format
95360
1/27 - 5/5
1/27 - 5/5
1/28 - 5/6
HOSP
-
-
TBA
M 5:00:00 PM - 8:00:00 PM
-
T 9:00:00 AM - 3:00:00 PM
Hybrid
95361
1/27 - 5/5
1/27 - 5/5
1/28 - 5/6
Other
-
-
TBA
M 5:00:00 PM - 8:00:00 PM
-
T 9:00:00 AM - 3:00:00 PM
Hybrid

Suggested Paths

University Transfer

Student in scrubs hat smiling in central sterile processing classroom.

“This program is giving me the tools and knowledge I need to carry into the workforce and be successful in the sterilization field. The best part is that it doesn’t take a long time, which is great for non-traditional students that work and have families. It’s only a couple days out of the week and you learn so much.”

—Darlene Ingram