What is a Sterile Processing Technician?
A sterile processing technician cleans equipment used by doctors and other medical staff in order for it to be reused. This job is crucial because most, if not all, of the equipment that is used in hospitals and other outpatient centers can be reused and must be sterilized to avoid spreading infections and diseases between staff and more importantly, patients. This is where a sterile processing technician comes in. There are many tasks that an SPD must be able to execute efficiently, such as decontaminating equipment and devices, assembling equipment and tools into proper places, recording what has been and what has not been sterilized, thoroughly inspecting the equipment before and after sterilization, maintaining the equipment's cleanliness and making sure it is still able to be used, and distributing the correct equipment to the proper destinations as well as picking up the equipment that must be sterilized.
About the Test
The time allowed to finish the SPD exam is two hours. In order to pass the exam, the test taker must score a 70 or higher. The test is comprised of 100 multiple questions that are given on a computer at the testing center. It is only given in the United States and only in the English language. In order to be eligible to take the exam, a candidate must have met one of the many requirements to be able to take the test. Upon passing the exam, the certification will last 5 years.
What are the Requirements?
In order to be accepted to take the test, one of the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of 12 months of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours performing SPD activities (will need verification of this by a manager or other higher ranking official)
- Completion of an SPD training course with a passing grade of 70 or higher (will need to bring a copy of the certificate or the grade)
- Completion of 6 months of full-time employment or 6 months of equivalent part-time hours in related allied health as well as performing SPD activities (will need to bring verification of this)
- Completion of 12 months of healthcare product sales or service related to the SPD profession (will need to bring verification by a manager)
What are the Payment Aspects?
The fee to take the exam is 125 dollars. However, payment will need to be given either through money order or a work facility check. These payment methods must be submitted at least two weeks before the deadline for the application. The fee will jump up 10 dollars to 135 dollars after the deadline is up. However, if a check for 125 is made from the company and someone registers late, they will be allowed to register and take the test for the 125 dollars. The only thing to keep in mind is that the grade for the exam will not be released until the rest of the money is paid to the CBSPD (The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc.).If payment is being made with a credit card, then the fee is 128 dollars two weeks before the deadline for the application. After the deadline is up, then the fee will be 138 dollars. The two forms that are not accepted are purchase orders and personal checks. If the fee is not submitted, then the application will be rejected.
