Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)

Credential: Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource  NCCA resource
Credentialing Agency: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

Renewal Period: 5 years

Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) is a mid-level certification. The role of the central sterile technician is to learn and perform all aspects of sterile processing functions with basic surgical instrumentation in the health care workplace. These areas include A&P, microbiology, infection control, decontamination, surgical instrumentation, prep and packaging, sterilization and inventory control. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements and pass an exam.

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

Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)

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:

Completion of 12 months of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours performing Sterile Processing and Distribution (SPD) activities.

Option 2:

Completion of a SPD Training Course with a passing grade of 70 or higher (provide copy of certificate/grade from your instructor)

Option 3:

Completion of 6 months (each) of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours in related allied health (clinical healthcare profession) as well as performing SPD activities in SPD (provide verification signed by your manager on your exam application)

Option 4:

Completion of 12 months of healthcare product sales or service related to the SPD profession (provide verification signed by your employer on your exam application)

Written Exam

  • Roles and Responsibilities (14%)
    • Knowledge of potential workplace hazards
    • Knowledge of ergonomic considerations and body mechanics.
    • Knowledge of policies and procedures related to sterile processing functions
    • Knowledge of federal, state and local guidelines, standards and regulations
    • Knowledge of professional standards and ethics related to patient and employee confidentiality.
    • Knowledge of professional standards related to personal hygiene and dress codes.
    • Knowledge of function and work flow/traffic flow of the sterile processing department.
    • Knowledge of processes for loaner instrumentation.
  • Life Sciences (9%)
    • Knowledge of microbiology related to cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing.
    • Knowledge of factors in disease transmission and modes of cross-transmission
    • Knowledge of types of microorganisms
    • Knowledge of microbial growth conditions
    • Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology
    • Knowledge of relationship between instrument type and types of tissue and body structure
    • Knowledge of basic medical terminology
  • Decontamination and Disinfection (21%)
    • Knowledge of types of chemicals and their uses
    • Knowledge of high level disinfectants and sterilant chemicals
    • Knowledge of characteristics of chemicals
    • Knowledge of disposal methods of biohazardous substances, chemicals and medical waste.
    • Knowledge of Standard Precautions and Personal Protective Equipment.
    • Knowledge of operation of decontamination equipment
    • Knowledge of manufacturer's instructions for use of chemicals.
    • Knowledge of methods of cleaning, disinfecting and decontaminating instruments, rigid container systems and equipment
    • Knowledge of linen pack and tray construction
    • Knowledge of factors affecting decontamination
    • Knowledge of manufacturer’s instructions for care and handling of instrumentation during cleaning and disinfection.
    • Knowledge of manufacturer's recommendations regarding the operation, maintenance, cleaning and troubleshooting of departmental and patient care equipment.
    • Knowledge of basic care and handling of instruments and equipment.
    • Knowledge of procedures for handling CJD contaminated supplies and equipment.
  • Preparation and Handling (15%)
    • Knowledge of instrument terminology and anatomy
    • Knowledge of types and functions of instruments
    • Knowledge of types of instrument construction
    • Knowledge of basic principles of packaging and set configuration
    • Knowledge of characteristics of packaging materials in relationship to sterilization methods
    • Knowledge of use of rigid container systems
    • Knowledge of inspection and testing procedures for instruments and equipment
    • Knowledge of manufacturer’s instructions for processing requirements of instruments and equipment
    • Knowledge of use and placement of chemical indicators for trays, packs and rigid containers
    • Knowledge of use of sterility maintenance covers
    • Knowledge of tamper evident seals
  • Sterilization (20%)
    • Knowledge of types of sterilizers and methods of sterilization
    • Knowledge of sterilization cycles and parameters
    • Knowledge of operation testing and monitoring of sterilizers
    • Knowledge of purpose, interpretation and documentation of sterilization printouts, charts, biological indicators, chemical indicators and chemical integrators.
    • Knowledge of types, uses and documentation of biological and chemical indicators.
    • Knowledge of loading and unloading criteria and procedures for all types of sterilization methods.
    • Knowledge of documentation procedures for lot number, date and load contents.
    • Knowledge of procedures for wet packs
    • Knowledge of cleaning procedures for sterilization equipment
    • Knowledge of recall procedures for facility sterilized items
  • Sterile Storage, Inventory Management and Distribution (11%)
    • Knowledge of recall procedures for outside vendor medical/surgical supplies.
    • Knowledge of factors that affect shelf life
    • Knowledge of storage requirements and shelving design
    • Knowledge of stock rotation
    • Knowledge of different types of inventory management
    • Knowledge of distribution systems
    • Knowledge of receiving systems
    • Knowledge of procedures for documenting supply and equipment charges
    • Knowledge of procedures for tracking usage of medical/surgical supplies, patient care equipment, and specialty carts
  • Ethics (10%)
    • Knowledge of compliance with regulatory standards, best practices, procedures and/or guidelines that impact on patient, employee or environmental safety; reporting instances of non-compliance.
    • Knowledge of professional behavior

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) 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 Technician (CSPDT)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) 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
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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