CS91 Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician, Technical Certificate of Credit
Offered at the Griffin Campus
| Program Entrance Term: |
Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Minimum Length of Program: |
2 terms |
| Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: |
20 |
Program Description
The Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician (CSSP) program provides entry-level skills in central sterile. As an essential team-member in the sterile processing departments of hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and specialized surgical centers, the central sterile technician is responsible for tasks and duties in the preoperative phase of surgery. The CSSP student will encounter training in the didactic and clinical setting in various areas. Topics include: aseptic technique, sterilization methods, decontamination processes, preoperative case planning, infection control, and professional ethics.
College Admission Requirements
- Submit completed application and application fee
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript with test scores and ALL post-secondary transcripts in an official sealed envelope
- Meet assessment requirements
Program Admission Requirements
The CSSP Program admits students and begins a new cohort every term on the Griffin Campus. The deadline to apply for cohort placement is the same date as the withdrawal date for full semester courses every term (check the SCTC calendar). The cohort placement is on a “first-come, first-served” basis with a completion and submission of a program-ready form. The following steps are required:
- Obtain CPR certification – BLS Providers through the American Heart Association.
- Complete and submit the online Allied Health Program-Ready Application https://www.sctech.edu/programs/allied-health-program-application/.
- Upon acceptance into the cohort, a successful completion of a criminal background and drug screen along with immunization verification prior to beginning the cohort is mandatory.
- The student will be responsible for making sure that all transcripts are received by the college and evaluated by the College Registrar by the application deadline.
- Program applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
- If the student is not accepted and wishes to apply for the next class, the student must submit a new CSSP Program application during the next application period.
- The deadline to apply for cohort placement is the same date as the withdrawal date for full semester courses every term (Check the SCTC calendar)
- There is no waiting list for this program.
Program Information
CSSP is a two-term, five-course technical certificate of credit program. Three of those courses are CSSP 1010, CSSP 1020 and CSSP 1022. The other two courses are co-requisites, which means they can be taken along with the CSSP courses.
The CSSP courses are offered daytime only and in consecutive terms. The first course, CSSP 1010, is offered the first term on campus. CSSP 1020 and CSSP 1022 are offered together in the second term as a hybrid course off-campus at the clinical site and web-based assignments. There is no breaking up of the courses, if the student cannot take them in the sequential order from one term to the following term, they will not be allowed to finish the program and will have to reapply for admission.
Readmission Policy
Students who are not successful in their first attempt and/or withdraw for medical reasons can attempt readmission based on the program admittance policy. Readmission is not guaranteed and is a one-time readmission with the following condition: repeat of all courses in sequential order and terms. Grading standards for the Central Sterile Program are very stringent. For students to progress to CSSP 1020 and CSSP 1022, a minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in the CSSP 1010 course.
Program Fees
The following fees are approximate and subject to change:
- Books - $300
- Uniforms - $100
- Background check - $80
- History and Physical / Immunizations - $200
- Malpractice Insurance - $10
- BLS card - $55
- Certification Exam - $140
- ACEMAPP - $50
Students can be listed under Healthcare Assistant or Central Sterile Processing. For those eligible for HOPE, they will receive funding despite how they are listed among the three. The Healthcare assistant student, by default, can take the CSSP courses. However, the Pell grant will not fund a student who is listed, solely, as a Central Sterile Processing Technician student.
The following is a suggested path to complete this program in a timely manner. An individual’s path to completion may be different based on institutional and personal factors affecting his/her academic progress.
Note: While all courses are offered, they may vary by term and campus. See the program advisor for any questions.
Contact Us
Tammy Hatcher, MA,CST, Program Coordinator
Email: Tammy.Hatcher@sctech.edu
Phone: 770-233-6166
Program Courses
First Term
| ALHS 1090 | Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences | 2 |
| CSSP 1010 | Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician | 5 |
Choose one of the following:
Second Term
| CSSP 1020 | Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician Practicum I | 6 |
| CSSP 1022 | Central Sterile Supply Processing Technician Practicum II | 5 |