Sterile Processing & Surgical Technician Assistant

Surgical and Sterile Prep Technicians are members of the surgical and support teams working under the supervision and authority of the surgeon within the scope of practice of state law and hospital policy. These surgical team members help prepare the operating room by setting up sterile surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, and medications. They also assist the surgeon in donning PPE as well as transport the patient to the OR, position and drape the patient for the specific procedure, prepare the skin for the procedure, and assist the surgeon as needed during the procedure. The sterile processing part of the job requires workers to perform and participate in decontamination, cleaning, assembling, packaging, scanning, sterilization, storage, and distribution of reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment. 

This course provides an introduction to the surgical technologist career, role in the operating room, and foundational concepts.

Program Objectives

• Explain the role of the surgical technician in the operating room and as part of the surgical team.
• Use proper medical terminology based in human anatomy, physiology, and medical conditions, and explain how anatomy and physiology relate to surgical technology and sterile processing department (SPD) functions.
• Explain proper infection control procedures and practices required in patient care and in the sterile surgical environment.
• Identify the surgical instruments, equipment, supplies, materials, and medications used in general and specialized surgical procedures.
• Explain the procedures performed in preparing the patient for a surgical procedure, caring for the patient during a surgical procedure, and caring for the patient after the surgical procedure.
• Explain how to prepare the surgical environment for specific surgical procedures.
• Discuss the medical laws and ethics related to surgical procedures and the surgical technologist position.
• Explain effective communication and patient care strategies used for a variety of surgical patients including those with special needs.
• Identify the health and safety regulations, standards, and guidelines that apply to the processing of medical devices and instrumentation.
• Understand the basic factors in disease transmission, the body’s defenses against infection, and factors affecting susceptibility to disease.
• Distinguish between regulated medical waste and non-infectious waste.
• Explain bloodborne pathogens and the safety precautions necessary in SPD.
• Outline the standards required for a quality decontamination process.
• Understand the appropriate dress code and the role of personal protective equipment (PPE) as it relates to OSHA regulations and employee safety and health.
• Describe functions performed during chemical disinfection, proper preparation, use, and precautions for disinfecting agents used in decontamination.
• Identify the processes needed to effectively disassemble, clean, disinfect, inspect, reassemble, test, store, and distribute movable patient care equipment.
• Understand the organization of instruments sets and the preparation of basins and textile packs.

Certification Opportunities

Students who complete this University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Sterile Processing & Surgical Technologist Certificate Program may be eligible to sit for the American Allied Health (AAH), the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), the Certification Board of Sterile Processing (CBSPD), the National Healthcare Workers Association (NHCWA) and the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) national certification exams - provided that they meet certain requirements which may include hands on scrubs and or practical experience through either a Clinical Externship and or Employment Experience. In addition to successfully completing the certification exam, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to maintain certification.  

	American Allied Health (AAH) Surgical Technologist Certification
	CRCST - Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)
	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Surgical Technologist (STC)
	National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Sterile Processing Technician (SPTC)
	Tech in Surgery TS-C (NCCT) Certification
National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Tech in Surgery-Certified (TS-C) Certification Requirements: Any student who successfully completed this program either live on-campus or online and are interested in pursuing the NCCT (TS-C) national certification exam must meet the following criteria to achieve certification: Successfully meet all the requirements of the program and be issued a Surgical Technology certificate of completion from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Complete a mandatory externship where you are required to complete 125 surgical cases, as verified by the clinical site using NCCT’s Tech in Surgery-Certified Critical Skill Competency/Qualification by Experience Documentation.    Please review the following resources found on the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) website. The Qualification by Experience and Critical Skill Form (TS-C (NCCT) Critical Skill Comp.pdf) outlines the verification of critical skill competency requirements, and the Tech in Surgery Eligibility Criteria Document (TS-C Route.pdf) details the approved pathways to sit for the TS-C exam. When registering for the NCCT TS-C exam, students who successfully complete this program will qualify under the “Graduate Pathway” as described in the Tech in Surgery Eligibility Criteria Document.

Prospective students are advised that University of Texas Rio Grande Valley cannot guarantee that any particular employer will require or accept any certification for employment purposes. Prior to enrolling, students should determine whether certification is needed or sufficient for the type of employment they are seeking.

Job and Externship Placement Services

Regardless if you elect to pursue national certification or not, if you enroll and successfully complete this program, assuming you pass a background check and drug screen, you will have guaranteed access to our Ready to Work (RTW) Job and Externship Placement services. All students who successfully complete this program (and pass a background check and drug screen) will have access to the RTW Externship or Job placement services at no additional cost.