Sterile Processing Technician Certificate

BLS Provider training is designed to provide healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner. This course is for healthcare professionals who need to know how to perform CPR, as well as other lifesaving skills, in a wide variety of in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. You must demonstrate competency through both a written test and skills evaluation. Upon successful completion, an AHA BLS Provider card will be issued, valid for two years.

Learn important healthcare concepts and professional career development skills to prepare for working in a healthcare setting. Students are introduced to medical terminology, the current healthcare system structure and essential concepts such as HIPAA, documentation and medical records, patient rights, cultural competency, workplace professionalism, healthcare ethics and legal responsibilities, environmental safety, infection control and first aid. Communication skills are practiced with focus on customer service and interpersonal communication concepts. Gain professional development skills in successful resume and application writing, interviewing, and gaining and maintaining employment. Prerequisite: Students must either validate previous successful completion of a college reading course (C or above) or pass the College’s Reading Placement test prior to registration. To validate a college reading course, attach a copy of your transcript to your registration. To take the Reading Placement test, call the Admissions Office at 410-386-8430. When taking the test, identify yourself as a Continuing Education student and indicate the course you are taking. Offered in partnership with Frederick Community College.

Learn to work behind the scenes in healthcare settings such as hospitals, surgical centers and physicians’ offices to ensure medical instruments and equipment are properly cleaned, processed, assembled, sterilized, stored and distributed. This course includes a lecture and interactive lab component in the classroom providing hands-on experience. Topics include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, instrumentation, safety standards, cleaning, decontamination, disinfection, preparation, infection control, sterilization process, packaging, wrapping, processing patient care equipment, sterile storage, distribution and inventory management, documentation and record management, ethics and standards. Upon successful completion, students are prepared to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification exam offered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). Students must then complete 400 hours of work experience to apply for CRCST certification. Prerequisites: Currently registered for or successful completion of Foundations for Healthcare Careers (AHE-316), and BLS Provider (AHE-315) or current AHA BLS Provider CPR card.