Surgical Instrument Processing Program Disclosure Information

Surgical Instrument Processing Program Disclosure Form

The Surgical Instrument Processing program prepares students to work in the field of Central Service as Central Service Technicians. Roles in this field may also be referred to as Medical Equipment Preparers or Sterile Processors. Upon completion of the program, there are two certification options which are listed below:

1. Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)
   Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician Certification (C.S.P.D.T.)
   For information regarding this certification, please refer to the following website: https://www.cbspd.net/

 

2. International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)
   Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
   For information regarding this certification, please refer to the following website: https://www.iahcsmm.org/
   For students choosing the IAHCSMM certification, in addition to passing the certification test, they must also complete 400 hours of paid or voluntary work in a Central Service department in order to earn the certification. Martinsburg College will assist students in locating facilities to complete this work, if required.

 
Currently, the following states have requirements regarding certification in this field:

Connecticut
Unless otherwise permitted pursuant to this section, no person shall practice as a central service technician unless such person (1) (A) has successfully passed a nationally accredited central service exam for central service technicians and holds and maintains one of the following credentials: (i) A certified registered central service technician credential administered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management, or (ii) a certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential administered by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc., or (B) was employed or otherwise contracted for services as a central service technician in a health care facility before January 1, 2016, or (2) obtains a certified registered central service technician credential administered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management or a certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential administered by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc., not later than two years after such person’s date of hire or contracting for services with the health care facility.

For more information, please refer to the Connecticut Public Law Act available here:
https://cga.ct.gov/2015/ACT/pa/pdf/2015PA-00011-R00HB-05913-PA.pdf

New Jersey
All personnel involved in sterile processing shall be certified through a national sterile processing program recognized by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services within three years of employment.

College note: Currently, it is our understanding that the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services only recognizes the IAHCSSMM certification. We have contacted the Department for clarification and will update this disclosure if we are provided with additional information from NJHSS. For more information, please refer to the state website: https://web.doh.state.nj.us/

New York

1. A person cannot function as a Central Service Technician (CST) in a healthcare facility and a healthcare facility cannot employ or otherwise contract for the services of a CST unless the person meets one of the following:
   1. has successfully passed a nationally accredited central service exam for central service technicians; and holds and maintains one of the following credentials administered by a nationally accredited central service technician credentialing organization: the certified registered central service technician credential, the certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential, or a substantially equivalent credential; or
   2. provides evidence that the person was employed or otherwise contracted for the services as a CST in a healthcare facility for a cumulative period of one year, occurring within the four years immediately prior to January 1, 2015; or
   3. is a student or intern performing the functions of a CST if the student or intern is under the direct supervision of an appropriately licensed or certified healthcare professional and is functioning within the scope of the student’s or intern’s training.
2. Any contractor or employer of persons functioning as a CST on the effective date of the law shall confirm in writing to each employee or contractor his or her employment as a CST.
3. A CST who does not meet the requirements as outlined above shall have eighteen months from the date of hire to obtain the certified registered central service technician credential or the certified sterile processing and distribution technician

For more information, please review the New York State Department of Health website at: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/hospital_administrator/letters/2015/2015-01- 20_central_supply.htm

Pennsylvania
An individual shall not function as a central service technician in a health care facility, and a health care facility shall not employ or otherwise contract for the services of a central service technician unless the individual has successfully passed a nationally accredited central service exam for central service technicians and holds and maintains one of the following credentials:
(1) Certified registered central service technician credential.
(2) Certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential.

Employment and continuing education:

(a) New employees: A central service technician who does not meet the requirements listed above shall have 18 months from the date of hire to comply with the requirements.

(b) Continuing Education: An individual who qualifies to function as a central service technician in a hospital or an ambulatory surgical facility under section 301 shall annually complete 10 hours of continuing education to remain qualified as a central service technician. The continuing education required under this subsection shall be in areas related to the functions of a central service technician.

For further information, please review the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ website at: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Tennessee
Unless otherwise permitted pursuant to this section, no person shall practice as a central service technician unless the person: (1) (A) Has successfully passed a nationally accredited central service exam for central service technicians and holds and maintains one (1) of the following credentials: (i) A certified registered central service technician credential administered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management; or (ii) A certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential administered by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc.; or (B) Was employed or otherwise contracted for services as a central service technician in a healthcare institution before January 1, 2017; or (2) Obtains a certified registered central service technician credential administered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management or the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc., not later than two (2) years after the person’s date of hire or contracting for services with a healthcare institution.

For more information, please refer to the Tennessee requirements listed here:
https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2016/title-68/health/chapter-11/part-2/section-68-11-239

Martinsburg College’s program meets all state requirements to work in the field. The states listed above are indicated with an asterisk in the chart below to denote that, in addition to completing the training program, students will need to pass a certification test in order to work in the field:

*In addition to completing the program, students must pass a certification test in order to work in the field.

If a prospective student has any questions regarding the program or the certification requirements, please contact Rita Claypole at 304-944-0296 or [email protected]