Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Ambulatory Surgery Technician (CASSPT)

Credential: Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Ambulatory Surgery Technician (CASSPT)
Credentialing Agency: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CPSPD), Certified Ambulatory Surgery Technician (CASSPT) credential is for candidates with at least 12 months experience performing Ambulatory Surgery sterile processing activities. Other options for qualification include completion of an Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Training Course, completion of a related allied health program plus six months employment practicing Ambulatory Surgery sterile processing, or 12 months experience in healthcare product sales or services. Candidates must meet education and/or experience requirements and pass a written examination.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Ambulatory Surgery Technician (CASSPT)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 12 months
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 5 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

148 Main Street
Suite B-1
Lebanon, NJ  08833

Phone: (800) 555-9765

Fax: (908) 236-0820
Email: CBSPD@att.net

Education/Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

Option 1:

Candidates must have 12 months of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours performing Ambulatory Surgery sterile processing activities.

Option 2:

Candidates must complete a Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Training Course with a passing grade of 70 or higher.

Option 3:

Candidates must have successfully completed a related allied health (clinical healthcare profession) program and have 6 months employment practicing Ambulatory Surgery sterile processing.

Option 4:

Candidates must have 12 months of healthcare product sales or service related to the Ambulatory Surgery sterile processing profession.

Written Exam

  • Roles and Responsibilities (13%)
    • Potential workplace hazards (e.g., fires, wet floors, latex allergy, electrical outlets, fumes, body fluids, microorganisms, sharps, medical waste). Signs and symbols for safety.
    • Ergonomic considerations and body mechanics.
    • Policies and procedures related to sterile processing functions (e.g., Safety, Infection Control, SDS, disasters, incident reports).
    • Federal, state and local guidelines, standards and regulations (e.g., OSHA, FDA, AAMI, CDC, EPA). Includes quarantine of implants, HIPAA.
    • Professional standards related to personal hygiene and dress codes.
    • Function and requirements for work flow and traffic control in the processing areas.
    • Requirements for following device manufacturer’s instructions for processing (includes chemicals, cleaning methods, sterilization, etc.)
    • Quality assurance programs.
    • Processes for loaner instrumentation.
  • Life Science (9%)
    • Microbiology related to cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing.
    • Factors in disease transmission and modes of cross transmission (e.g., blood, skin, air; body’s defenses against infection).
    • Types of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungus, prions).
    • Microbial growth conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity).
    • Basic anatomy and physiology.
    • Relationship between instrument type and types of tissue and body structure (e.g. hysteroscope used in GYN surgery).
    • Basic medical terminology.
  • Decontamination and Disinfection (21%)
    • Types of chemicals and their uses (e.g., detergents, disinfectants, enzymatics, germicides). Includes concentration, temperature, water quality.
    • Characteristics of high level disinfectants and sterilant chemicals (peracetic acid) (e.g., concentration, pH, expiration date, level of disinfection, contact time).
    • Use of and documentation for HLD including items processed, MEC testing, QA testing of test strips, temperature of solution, etc. Protection of devices from re-contamination after HLD.
    • Types of instrument construction (e.g., finish, composition).
    • Procedures to prevent TASS; processing of items from known or suspect CJD patients.
    • Disposal methods of biohazardous substances, chemicals and medical waste.
    • Standard Precautions and Personal Protective Equipment (for Decontam only).
    • Operation of decontamination equipment (e.g. washer/decontaminator, sonic). Loading and unloading procedures positioning of devices, degassing of sonic. Cleaning effectiveness testing of all equipment.
    • Manual cleaning protocols; use of gloves if items only manually cleaned or sonic cleaned.
    • Methods of cleaning, disinfecting testing and decontaminating instruments and equipment. Use of cleaning implements, keeping cleaning implements clean, inspection of cleaning brushes.
    • Factors affecting manual or mechanical decontamination (e.g., water temperature, detergent concentration, loading procedures, water quality, opening and disassembling). Frequency of changing of enzyme soak and sonic solutions.
    • Basic care and handling of instruments and equipment to prevent damage. (i.e. electrolysis).
  • Preparation and Handling (16%)
    • Basic instrument terminology and anatomy (e.g., jaws, shanks, box locks, rings).
    • Types and functions of instruments relating to Ambulatory Surgery procedures (e.g., laparoscopic, simple Orthopedic, Plastic, dental, ophthalmic).
    • Basic principles of packaging and set configuration (includes labeling of sets, avoiding damage to sets, use of instrument air).
    • Use and characteristics of packaging materials in relationship to sterilization methods. Includes paper-plastic pouches, Tyvek pouches, woven and non-woven wraps, rigid containers, dust covers.
    • Inspection and testing procedures for instruments and equipment.
    • Ambulatory Surgery tray construction (e.g., size, shape, density, weight).
    • Methods and products used to monitor sterilization (e.g., integrators, chemical and biological indicators) for trays, packs and rigid containers.
    • Types of sterilizers and methods of sterilization (e.g., gas plasma, steam and tabletop steam sterilizers).
    • Basic care and handling of instruments and equipment. (Includes handling implants, instrument lubrication, testing of lap instruments). Care of instrument marking tape.
  • Sterilization (20%)
    • Loading and unloading procedures of items packaged for sterilization (with and without carts).
    • Sterilization cycles and parameters (e.g., pre-vacuum, gravity displacement, time, temperature, concentration, steam under pressure, humidity).
    • Operation, testing and monitoring of table top, boiler steam sterilizers and low-temperature gas plasma sterilizers.
    • Purpose, types, interpretation and documentation of sterilization printouts, charts, biological indicators, chemical indicators and chemical integrators. Includes temperature in incubators.
    • Lot control and record keeping for all methods of sterilization including documentation required. Includes types of lot control labels for sterilization method.
    • Recall procedures for items sterilized within the facility or purchased from an outside manufacturer.
    • Procedures for wet packs (e.g. causes, resolution).
    • Cleaning procedures for sterilizers (table tops, steam large chambers, low temperature).
  • Sterile Storage and Inventory Management (11%)
    • Factors that affect shelf life (e.g., packaging materials, temperature, moisture, handling/damage); stacking of sets; signs and symbols.
    • Storage requirements and shelving design (e.g., humidity, air exchange, placement).
    • Stock rotation (e.g., FIFO). Preventing outdates.
  • Ethics (10%)
    • Compliance with regulatory standards, best practices, procedures and/or guidelines that impact on patient, employee or environmental safety; reporting instances of non-compliance.
    • Professional behavior (e.g., non-compliance with dress code; disruptive behavior; theft; willful damage to equipment/property).

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Ambulatory Surgery Technician (CASSPT) examination:

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by PSI. The test centers are located in the U.S.

To find out more, use the following links on the PSI website:

For more information on the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Ambulatory Surgery Technician (CASSPT)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Ambulatory Surgery Technician (CASSPT) credential has the following recertification information:

  • Candidates must earn 100 points in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) per recertification period.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical Equipment Preparers
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Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Surgical Assistants
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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