Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Portland

This program allows students to learn through a hybrid arrangement with online learning and real-world instruction. It can be completed in a single term, during which candidates will receive 42 hours of self-directed study.

To complement their virtual learning, candidates will then qualify to participate in an internship for hands-on training in a hospital setting. The course covers key topics, including infection control, infection prevention, medical terminology, microbiology, inventory control, surgical instrumentation, and surgical instrument storage.

Those who complete the coursework will qualify for the CRCST credential from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. The cost of certification is already included in the course tuition, and graduates will receive a voucher to take their credentialing exam.

Enrollment is always open, so students can start learning at any time.

The course covers respiratory systems and digestive systems, medical terminology, infection control, inventory management, sterilization techniques, and more. To qualify for the clinical experience application process, which provides real-world learning, candidates must have paid their tuition.

It is also important to know that placement is not guaranteed even after a successful application.

The externship portion of the program includes 80 hours of training to complement the 10 credit hours in the theoretical portion. All in all, those who get accepted into this program will develop the necessary skills to examine, package, and sterilize medical instruments, which are the core duties of a sterile processing technician.

Students learn through a blended approach, meaning some training is online and some on campus. Other areas of focus include medical instrument identification, effective communication, sterile storage, low-temperature sterilization, and more.

These include courses in microbiology, human anatomy, infection control, and more. As noted on the program website, this program offers a straightforward entry point into healthcare for those seeking a stable, hands-on work environment in the medical field.

It also includes preparation for certification examinations. Candidates who complete this program will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.