Chester Career College

Sterile Processing Technician

Chester Campus
Chester, VA
Associate Degree · On Campus
Sterile Processing Technician
Chester Career College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and certified to operate in Virginia by SCHEV.
On campus in Chester, VA: classroom, interactive lab and externship, with day (9 am-2 pm) or evening (5:30-10:30 pm) classes Monday-Thursday.
This program totals 65.5 semester credit hours; the school does not publish its length in weeks.
A non-refundable $25.00 application fee is charged with the application for admission.
Contact the school for financial aid details for this program.

Sterile Processing Technician is an Associate Degree program offered by Chester Career College in Chester, VA.

Program Overview

The Sterile Processing Technician Program will provide students with entry-level training that will prepare them to function in the sterile processing and distribution areas of healthcare facilities. The program provides students with knowledge of surgical instruments, microbiology, medical equipment, surgical terminology, storage and distribution, as well as the skills required for sterilization and decontamination. Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be eligible to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) examination.

Sterile processing technicians (SPT) play a vital role in helping hospitals, surgeons and other medical professionals keep patients healthy through sterilizing medical instruments and equipment before medical procedures are performed. Your work is vital as it helps to ensure that patients avoid infections while receiving the medical attention they need. The sterile processing technician works under the supervision of the Central Sterile Processing and operating room personnel to facilitate a safe and effective patient procedure.

Admission Requirements and Process

It is the policy of Chester Career College to recruit and admit only those students who can demonstrate a sincere desire to succeed in life with new career skills and those who have a positive attitude toward learning. To be considered for enrollment all students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Upon completion of the admissions steps, the candidate's application is reviewed by the Admissions Committee and submitted to the School Director for approval. Notification of acceptance and/or denial is made on a continuing basis. Individuals will be notified in writing as soon as possible, generally within three school days. Chester Career College admits applicants without regard to race, religion, color, disability, sex, age or national origin.

General Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent
    To be considered for enrollment all students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Admissions application and fee
    Complete an admissions application and pay the $25 application fee.
  • Background check
    Complete background check paperwork.
  • Official transcripts
    Complete and submit a request for official transcripts from high school, GED program, professional school and all colleges attended.
  • Enrollment agreement
    Complete and sign an enrollment agreement.
  • Physical and immunizations for clinicals
    To be eligible for externship/clinical assignments, students must provide the school with a completed physical and required inoculation report including HBV and PPD (TB skin test)…
  • Clinical facility vaccination requirements
    All students enrolling in classes understand that if a clinical facility requires vaccination, they are expected to meet the requirement to attend clinicals or they will be…

Application Process

  1. 1
    Meet with an Admissions Representative
    Contact an Admissions Representative and schedule an appointment to tour the college; the Admissions team will help you develop a career plan and a timeline for reaching your career goals.
  2. 2
    Submit your application
    Complete an admissions application and pay the $25 non-refundable application fee.
  3. 3
    Background check and transcripts
    Complete background check paperwork and submit a request for official transcripts from high school, GED program, professional school and all colleges attended.
  4. 4
    Apply for financial aid
    Create your FSA ID, gather proof of income, complete the FAFSA (school code 034095), then call Chester Career College to set a financial aid appointment for eligibility.
    FAFSA Code for Chester Campus: 034095
  5. 5
    Sign your enrollment agreement
    Complete and sign an enrollment agreement; the Admissions Committee and School Director review your application, and accepted applicants receive an Acceptance Letter, generally within three school days.
  6. 6
    Attend orientation
    Orientation is held at the beginning of each new program start and covers school policies and expectations, financial assistance procedures, job placement assistance, educational programs and the school facilities.

Program Schedule

The Sterile Processing Technician Program is offered both day and evening. Day classes are held Monday through Thursday between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Evening classes are held Monday through Thursday between 5:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Classes missed due to holidays or other scheduled cancellations are made up on assigned Fridays or by extending regular class hours. Clinical assignments may not coincide with normal school hours or days. This in-depth training is a combination of classroom, interactive lab, and externship.

Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information

Cost and Financial Aid Information is an estimate for general reference only. It is not an offer or guarantee of financial aid or of any price, and what a School charges you may differ.
Total Program Tuition
FAFSA Code
Net Price Calculator

Tuition. Chester Career College does not publish tuition for this program on its Tuition and Fees page or in its current catalog; contact the school for current costs.

Fees. All students will be charged a non-refundable application fee of $25.00. Should a student be required to repeat a course, he/she will be charged a per credit hour fee. A Returned Item fee of $50.00 will be charged for any payment method not honored by the fiduciary institution. Graduates receive their first transcript free; additional transcripts are $5.00 per request.

Paying for school. Tuition for the program selected is billed upon the first day of active enrollment. Any portion of the bill which will not be met by Federal Financial Aid, or scholarships must be paid at the beginning of the semester. Flexible payment plans make Chester Career College rates even more affordable.

Federal financial aid. Chester Career College is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal financial aid to its students. The types of financial aid available includes: Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. Students interested in applying for financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Chester Career College's federal school code is 034095.

Veterans and other assistance. Chester Career College is approved to offer training to eligible veterans under Chapter 31, 33, or 35 of the GI Bill®, and is approved to offer programs for the training of eligible individuals by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Rehabilitative Services.

Net Price Calculator. Estimate your net price with Chester Career College's net price calculator: https://www.chestercareercollege.edu/net-price-calculator

Curriculum

The Sterile Processing Technician program outline lists 41.5 semester credit hours of major courses, including three externships, plus 24 required general education credit hours, for 65.5 semester credit hours.

Required Courses

Subject #NameCredits
SPT410Basic Healthcare Worker6
SPT411Intro to Sterile Process/Infection Control4
SPT412Sterile Processing Procedures3.5
SPT413Assembly and Packaging4
SPT414Decontamination3.5
SPT415Sterilization and Disinfection3.5
SPT416Equipment, Storage and Distribution4
SPT417Quality Assurance and Certification Review4
SPT418Externship I3
SPT419Externship II3
SPT420Externship III3
ENG 115English Composition3
LIT 118Literature3
IDS 130Strategies for Success3
BSC 250Anatomy & Physiology I: Cell Structure and Function3
BSC 260Anatomy & Physiology II: Body Systems3
MFG 210Mathematics3
CGS 200Introduction to Computers3
SPC 240Speech3
PSY 120Introduction to Psychology3

Career Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be eligible to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) examination and will be prepared to function in the sterile processing and distribution areas of healthcare facilities.

What to expect as a Chester Career College student

Facilities. This campus is conveniently located in the Phoenix Building Complex on West Hundred Road (Route 10) between I-95 and I-295 near Rivers Bend. This facility provides approximately 17,526 square feet of space. The campus includes a Nursing Laboratory, Library, Medical and Phlebotomy/EKG Laboratories, Computer Laboratories, Surgical and Sterile Processing Laboratories, and Pharmacy Laboratories, Massage Rooms, Media Center, Student Lounge, Faculty Work Room, Staff and Faculty Lounge, Administrative Offices, Restrooms and Visitor and Reception areas. The Computer Labs and Media Center are fully networked with internet access. Maximum class sizes are 20-25 students.

Library. Media Centers are available in each core classroom which consist of a collection of books, periodicals, and reference materials to support the programs offered. Chester Career College is also a member of the Library Information and Resources Network (LIRN). Through this online network, students have 24/7 access to electronic textbooks, journals, videos, demonstrations, etc.

Career Services. Our services are offered to both current students as well as to graduates. Our services include but are not limited to: Resume and Cover Letter Review, Job Interview preparation, and Career Development sessions. In addition to this, we also provide Externship assignments and Job Placement assistance.

Housing. Housing facilities are not provided by the school.

Campus Address

Chester Campus
751 West Hundred Road
Chester, VA 23836

Why Accreditation Is Important

Chester Career College is accredited with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE). It holds a certificate to operate from the Commonwealth of Virginia, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), and is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.

  • A reliable indicator of quality
  • Approved program of study
  • Qualified instructors
  • Recognition by employers nationwide

Accreditations

Council on Occupational Education (COE)

Student Demographics

These are demographics for all students at the Chester Campus (IPEDS, 2024).

Gender Distribution
Women86.1%(68)
Men13.9%(11)
Race/Ethnicity Distribution
Primary Ethnic Group
Black/African American
63.3% · 50 students
Black/African American63.3% · 50
White24.1% · 19
Hispanic/Latino10.1% · 8
Two or More Races2.5% · 2
Asian0% · 0
American Indian/Alaska Native0% · 0
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander0% · 0
International Students0% · 0

Images

Surgical instruments being passed over a sterile tray
Surgical instruments being passed over a sterile tray
Technician in sterile gown and gloves
Gloved hand selecting sterile surgical instruments
Student in scrubs studying outdoors (Chester Career College Campus Life page)
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Sterile Processing Technician