About the Profession
Central sterile processing technicians play a crucial role by ensuring that medical instruments are properly cleaned, sterilized, and ready for procedures. Technicians inspect, decontaminate, clean, sterilize, process, assemble, package, store, and distribute medical instrumentation. Many work in hospitals, though some work in outpatient surgery centers, physicians' offices, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.
About the Program
Earn while you learn! Not only will Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) cover the cost of your tuition, you will receive an hourly wage throughout the program with the expectation that upon program completion, you commit to a full-time position as a central sterile processing technician at VUMC and continue in that role for one year.
The Central Sterile Processing Technician (CSPT) Program is a partnership between Nashville State Community College (NSCC) and the Center for Programs in Allied Health. The program offers you the opportunity to train as a CSPT intern through comprehensive classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training at Vanderbilt Health's Case Cart Operations Center (VCCOC), located off Briley Parkway.
Guided by experienced educators, you will learn to identify, clean, disinfect, and handle instruments essential for various surgical procedures. After completing the program, you will be well-prepared to take the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam, confidently stepping into a vital healthcare career as a VUMC Central Sterile Processing Technician.
Program Structure
- 12 weeks
- Monday-Friday, 8-hour daytime shift
- NSCC classroom instruction at VCCOC
- Clinical hands-on training as required for the HSPA CRCST certification at VCCOC
- Heartsaver AED certification at VUMC
Admission Requirements
Must have a high school diploma or GED
Application Process
If you would like to receive updates on future cohorts, please contact the program director to be added to the notification list.
Contact Info
Leteya Tsonetokoy, MA, CST, TS-C, CRCST
Program Director
l.tsonetokoy@vumc.org