Sterile Processing Tech Diploma Program

Tampa, FL

Prepare for a Health Care Field Faster than you imagined

Sterile processing technicians are an essential part of the medical team. Hospitals, clinics, dental offices, and surgical centers rely on them to help prevent the spread of infection by preparing tools that are properly sanitized. Learn the knowledge and skills that can lead to a career that helps ensure patient safety across the health care system.

Sterile Processing Technician Career Overview

Sterile processing technicians help keep medical and surgical procedures safe. They examine, sterilize and package surgical instruments for use in medical and dental clinics, operating rooms and more. Their work helps reduce the risk of infection or cross-contamination during life-saving procedures.

Tampa Sterile Processing Tech Diploma Program Overview

You can learn the knowledge and skills a sterile processing technician needs in as few as 4-months* with Concorde in Tampa. Our program combines online learning with an externship to prepare you for new career opportunities.

Now Enrolling

Concorde's Tampa is seeking dedicated students who want to:

  • Learn to help hospitals and clinics deliver quality care
  • Prepare for career opportunities in hospitals, clinics, acute care, long-term care, hospice, and more
  • Complete the diploma in as few as 4-months of study*

Get started by scheduling an in-person or virtual Career Planning Session to explore if the sterile processing technician diploma program is right for you!

*Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount. 

**Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected national growth in job openings for medical equipment preparers in hospitals as a role sterile processing technicians 2021-2031 https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=31-9093&ioType=o Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

†Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

ᶛ Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, who's length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes. 

4

Months

4.4%

National Employment Demand (2021-2031)

9.0

Credit Hours

128

Externship Hoursᶛ

Get Started

Curriculum

Sterile Processing Technician Diploma Curriculum

Sterile processing technicians help keep medical and surgical procedures safe. They examine, sterilize, and package surgical instruments for use in medical and dental clinics, operating rooms, and more. Their work helps reduce the risk from infection and cross-contamination during life-saving procedures.

Concorde's sterile processing technician diploma program teaches essential health science concepts along with practical and technical skills for examining, sterilizing, and tracking medical equipment inventory.

In this program, you have the opportunity to learn to:

  • Identify medical instruments and describe their uses
  • Inspect instruments for functionality and cleanliness
  • Keep medical instrument inventory records
  • Perform device sterilization using solvents and equipment such as autoclaves
  • Prepare instrument trays for procedures
  • Transport instruments to and from procedure rooms
  • Help ensure procedure rooms maintain a sterile field
  • Effectively communicate with other members of the health care team
  • Understand the health care system

9.0

Credit Hours

Blended Learning

Online and on-campus coursework..

128

Externship Hoursᶛ

Real-World Experience

Apply what you've learned in health care settings as part of your externship experience.ᶛ

    Academic & Career Pathways

    You're organized, methodical and now have a basic understanding about the health care system; you may be ready for more!

    After completing your Sterile Processing Technician diploma program, go on to pursue your associate degree in Surgical Technology. As a Concorde graduate we will apply the tuition paid for the Sterile Processing Tech diploma toward you Surgical Technology degree tuition at Concorde.^

    Certification Exams and Next Steps

    The knowledge and skills this program teaches can prepare you for the the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) examination and become provisionally certified as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST).†

    *Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount. 

    †Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde., but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

    ᶛ Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, who's length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes. 

    ^ Enrollment into the Sterile Processing Diploma Technician program is not a guarantee of employment and or admittance into other Concorde programs of study. Admissions requirements must be met for all programs. See catalog for details.

    Career Outlook

    Demand for Sterile Processing Technicians

    As more people seek health care services and the ongoing risk from pandemics continues; hospitals continue to place infection control as a priority. To address this need, hospitals and clinics should need more medical equipment preparers a role served by sterile processing technicians in their central services departments.

     

      4.4%

      2021-2031 Projected National Job Growth for Medical Equipment Preparers in Hospitals**

      Sterile Processing Tech / Medical Equipment Preparers

      **Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected national growth in job openings for medical equipment preparers in hospitals as a role sterile processing technicians 2021-2031 https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=31-9093&ioType=o Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

      Different Job Titles of a Sterile Processing Technician

      Depending on the healthcare system, sterile processing technicians may hold different job titles such as:

      • Central Services Technicians
      • Certified Registered Central Service Technicians (CRCST)
      • Central Sterile Supply Technicians (CSST)
      • Sterile Preparation Technicians
      • Medical Equipment Preparers.

      Responsibilities of a Sterile Processing Technician

      Sterile processing technicians provide an important service in ensuring patient safety across the healthcare system.

      • Cleaning and sterilizing equipment
      • Packaging and preparing equipment for use
      • Inspecting medical equipment for functionality and sterilization
      • Maintaining inventory and organizing medical equipment
      • Ensuring medical procedure rooms are sterile
      • Transporting prepared equipment
      • Recording test results for sterilization

      Where Sterile Processing Professionals Work

      Health care systems and providers rely on sterile processing professionals to help prevent the spread of infection by preparing tools that are properly sanitized. Sterile processing technicians are an essential part of the medical team in: 

      • Hospitals
      • Clinics
      • Rehab & Acute Care 
      • Dental Offices
      • Surgical Centers

      Note: Concorde does not guarantee outcomes including employment, responsibilities, or subsequent salary.

      Address and Hours

      Tampa Campus

      4202 W. Spruce
      Tampa, Florida 33607

      PH: (813) 501-2584
      FX: (813) 872-6884

      Campus Hours of Operation

      Monday8 am - 7 pm
      Tuesday8 am - 7 pm
      Wednesday8 am - 7 pm
      Thursday8 am - 7 pm
      Friday8 am - 4 pm
      SaturdayBy Appointment
      SundayClosed
      Schedule A Tour

      Financial Aid

      The Sterile Processing Diploma program at Concorde is not eligible for Federal Financial Aid or Military/ Veteran funding options. Every student is unique, and are encouraged to meet and discuss their financial circumstances.

      You may also be interested in the following programs

      Medical Assistant

      Dental Assistant

      Surgical Technologist

      1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

      2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

      3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

      4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

      5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.