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What is a Central Processing Technician?
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A Central Processing Technician works with surgical equipment and instruments before and after surgeries. They help prevent patient infections by decontaminating, cleaning, processing, assembling, sterilizing, storing, and distributing the equipment, instruments, and supplies used in surgery and other parts of the hospital. A Central Processing Technician may work in a hospital, in an ambulatory surgery center, in doctor’s offices, in medical sales, in medical laboratories, and other fields. Starting salaries are around $15 per hour. The Central Processing Technician program prepares the student for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam and the Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician (CSPDT) exam. Learn more about the career at iahcsmm.org and sterileprocessing.org.
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Length of Program
Semester Program Begins
Minimum Age Requirement
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1 semester (not including prerequisite courses); Program courses must be taken simultaneously in the same semester
Fall and Spring semesters; Full time
Day Class: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Clinical: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Night Class: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Clinical: 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Age 18 at the time program starts.
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| Program Schedule |
Classes meet Monday - Thursday for the first five weeks of each semester. For the remainder of the semester, class is held on Mondays and students attend clinical rotations Tuesday - Friday |
| General Admission Process |
Classes meet Monday - Thursday for the first five weeks of each semester. For the remainder of the semester, class is held on Mondays and students attend clinical rotations Tuesday - Friday.
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| Program Application Process |
All applicants are required to submit a program form. Forms are available online at http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/.
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Program Prerequisites
(Minimum 2.5 GPA) |
All of the following:
*Courses cannot be more than 5 years old
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| Program Deadlines |
- Fall application deadline: June 1
Prerequisite deadline: End of summer semester
- Spring application deadline: October 10
Prerequisite deadline: End of fall semester
Program director approval required.
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| Program Admissions |
A mandatory meeting will be held after the deadline for all applicants who have completed the prerequisites. Competitive admissions will be based on attendance at the mandatory meeting, GPA for required prerequisites, overall GPA, and program form. Criminal background checks and drug screens are required based on the requirements for participation in clinical experiences. |
| Program Cost and Requirements |
$90 criminal background check and drug screening; $200-300 immunizations; $50-70 BLS for Healthcare Providers certification; $85-100 books; $128 CSPDT national certification exam; cost varies for uniform scrubs, jacket and shoes; GTC student ID.
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| For more information, contact: |
Josh Vejar, Program Support Specialist, jvejar@gwinnettTech.edu , 678-226-6404.
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| For admission and enrollment, contact: |
Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus, or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu.
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Quick Facts
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2020 Median Pay, for the entire U.S., for all levels of experience
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$38,800 per year / $18.65 per hour (NOT a starting salary)
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| Entry level education |
Certificate completion |
| Number of jobs, 2020 |
58,700 |
| Job growth, 2020-2029 |
5-10% (much faster than average) |
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| Sterile processing technicians, also referred to as sterile techs or central supply technicians, are essential to a clean working environment and prevention of the spread of disease. Without them, patients would suffer from preventable infections and other complications. As a sterile processing technician, you will play a very important role in the surgical process. Sterile processing technician job descriptions may include: |
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• Decontaminating instruments using chemicals, machines and various other techniques to remove “bioburden” or waste from surgeries
• Operating and maintaining steam autoclaves for equipment sterilization
• Examining equipment for flaws or disrepair
• Preparing instruments and equipment for distribution to various operating rooms as necessary. As a sterile processing technician, you will learn familiarity of the instruments used in the procedures and the proper techniques for cleaning these specialized instruments.
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| Work Environment |
In general, Central Processing Technicians work in a centralized location outside of the operating room, though this varies by facility. If you work best under highly organized conditions, then central supply might be a good place for you to work. Jobs may require you to stand a lot, lift heavy objects and do repetitive movements. The work environment is also good for you if you like a very active atmosphere with a lot of action. Central supply facilities can get quite busy depending on the facility that you work for.
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| Job Requirements / Physical Demands |
| Central Processing Technician minimum job requirements and physical demands include: |
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• Standing for prolonged periods
• Frequently walking
• Some heavy lifting, reaching, pulling, and pushing (overhead, extensive, repetitive) - 50 to 100 lbs. occasionally, 25 to 50 lbs. frequently, and/or 10 to 20 lbs. constantly
• Proficient communicative, auditory, and visual skills are needed
• Attention to detail and ability to write legibly
• Visual concentration
• You will be exposed to hazardous fumes and chemicals, cold, extreme heat, noise, radiation, blood/body fluids, and infectious diseases
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319093.htm
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Informational Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAOCDMbDvRQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCqA6TVSqFY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PirzRGxWU9U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=148DAtLoE48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rITYZgZZ2GQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYvNuOTKJmE |
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Information Sessions
4th Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m., Building 200, Room 367, Larenceville Campus
*November session will be held on the 3rd Tuesday* *No information session in July and December*
Please contact Josh Vejar (jvejar@gwinnetttech.edu) for any further questions
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National Center for O*NET Development. 31-9093.00 - Medical Equipment Preparers. O*NET OnLine. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9093.00
The Gwinnett Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, Building 100, Room 708, 678.226.6691, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu
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