| What is a Central Processing & Endoscope Reprocessing Technician? |
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 a doctor’s office, in medical sales, in medical laboratories, and other fields. Starting salaries are around $18/hr. 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. Endoscope Reprocessing Technicians work as part of an operations team in a health care organization. They play an essential role in patient safety as well as infection control. Graduates of the program will be able to operate the sterilizing equipment and safely handle delicate, sensitive, and technical equipment, and instrumentation. They will be able to disassemble, decontaminate, disinfect/sterilize, check for proper function, and assemble & adjust endoscope instruments/equipment, ensuring they are functioning correctly and have been processed to be used effectively on patients. The starting salary for endoscope reprocessing tech is around $19/hr. The endoscope reprocessing program prepares the students for the Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) and the Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) exam. Learn more about these careers at myhspa.org and cbspd.net.
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Minimum Age Requirement
Length of Program
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Age 18 at the time program starts.
2 semesters (including corequisite courses); Program courses must be taken simultaneously in the same semester
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Application Process
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Apply to Gwinnett Tech at www.gwinnettTech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work.
Take the ACCUPLACER test if required.
All applicants are required to submit a program advisement form. Forms are available online at http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/.
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Semester Program Begins
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Fall semester; Full time
Day Class: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Clinical: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Night Class: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Clinical: 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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| Program Schedule |
Classes meet Monday - Thursday for the first five weeks of the 1st semester. For the remainder of the semester and 2nd semester, class is held on Mondays and students attend clinical rotations Tuesday - Friday.
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| Program Deadlines |
Fall application deadline: June
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| Program Admissions |
A mandatory meeting will be held after the deadline for all applicants who have completed the advisement 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; $300 books; $280 CSPDT and CFER/CER National Certification exams; 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 A at the Lawrenceville campus, or Building A-NF at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email HealthTeam@GwinnettTech.edu.
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Quick Facts
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2023 Median Pay, for the entire U.S., for all levels of experience
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$45,280 per year / $21.77 per hour (NOT a starting salary)
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| Entry level education |
Certificate completion |
| Number of jobs, 2022 |
70,700 |
| Job growth, 2022-2032 |
5-8% (much faster than average) |
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Sterile processing technicians, also referred to as sterile techs or central supply technicians, and Endoscope Reprocessing 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. Cleans, reprocesses, and maintains endoscopes and all equipment according to manufacturer’s recommendations and industry standards
• Adheres to strict infection control standards with respect to endoscope and endoscope accessory processing
• Provides quality assurance through the performance of periodic endoscope testing
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| Work Environment |
In general, Central Processing/Endoscope Reprocessing 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/endoscope 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/Endoscope supply facilities can get quite busy depending on the facility that you work for.
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| Job Requirements / Physical Demands |
| Central Processing/Endoscope Reprocessing 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
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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 Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m., Building C, Room 305, Lawrenceville Campus
*November session will be held on the 3rd Thursday* *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 May 4, 2024, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9093.00
Gwinnett Tech does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status. For compliance concerns, contact Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, at lrichardson@gwinnetttech.edu, 678-226-6691, Building A, Office 515.
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