Certified Sterile Processing Technician

Hybrid

Program format

$3,855

Cost of tuition

264 Contact Hours
5-Month Training

Length of program

Grants and Scholarships Are Available!

Find out if you’re eligible to receive free tuition and job placement services that will enable you to secure an in-demand career.

Explore Funding Opportunities

Program Requirements

Enter a high-demand field essential to every surgical and medical facility.

Background Check & Drug Screen

To participate in this program, you must submit to a Background Check and 10-point Drug Screen which will be completed during the 2ndweek of your Course of Study.
HB1508: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history or positive drug screen may make a student ineligible.
You can review the specific licensing authority’s guidelines below.

Links for individual licensing websites:

HB1508

Notice to Students Pursuing an Alamo Colleges’ Continuing Education Program that Leads to an Occupational License:

Under Texas law, if you apply for or enroll in an educational program that may prepare you for an initial occupational license, and/or if you later decide to change to one of these programs, please be aware that:

An individual who has been convicted of a crime may be ineligible for an occupational license after completing the related educational program;
Each licensing authority that issues occupational licenses to students who complete educational programs must establish guidelines, including the reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license and any other standards that affect the decisions of the licensing authority;
A licensing authority may issue additional state or local restrictions or guidelines to determine the eligibility of an individual who has been convicted of a crime for an occupational license;
A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a Continuing Education program that may prepare them for an initial occupational license has the right to request that a licensing authority issue a Criminal History Evaluation Letter regarding their eligibility for a license. Please note that fees may apply.

Note: This notice applies only to students who plan to pursue a course of study for which an occupational license may be necessary when they finish a program. This applies generally to those pursuing study in a program for which an occupational license is required.

This information is being provided to all students enrolled in or planning to enroll in an Alamo Colleges’ Continuing Education program that prepares them for an occupational license regardless of whether the person has been convicted of a criminal offense. We encourage all applicants and enrolled students to review the eligibility requirements for their program and the related occupational license.

Note: The criminal history evaluation letter is separate and distinct from any criminal background check requirement that may be required for enrollment in a particular program.

For inquiries regarding a specific licensing authority’s guideline, eligibility requirements, or requests for a Criminal History Evaluation Letter, please contact the relevant licensing authority directly, as the information provided here is not comprehensive.

Immunizations

Proof of up-to-date immunizations is required by the Department of Health Services for all learners enrolled in health-related higher education courses which will involve direct patient contact with potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids in educational, medical, or dental care facilities Health Services, 25 Texas Administrative Code Rule 97.64.

Learners should have the following vaccinations before they engage in course activities involving external employer partners:

Hepatitis B
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Measels/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
Influenza Vaccine
Tuberculosis Screening (PPD

How to Request Immunization Records:

You have several options to obtain immunization records. Information is available via the following link to the City of San Antonio website:

Request Immunization Records - City of San Antonio

**Students who are unable to receive an immunization must obtain a written statement from their provider, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant documenting the reason. Students must be aware they may not be able to attend clinical sites based on the site's rules and regulations and this may affect their enrollment status in the program.

Hepatitis B	A complete series of three (3) doses hepatitis B vaccine OR Titer-a blood test confirming evidence of Hepatitis B serologic immunity (Health Services, 25 Texas Administrative Code Rule 97.65)
Varicella (Chicken Pox)	A complete series of two (2) doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine OR Titer-a blood test confirming evidence of varicella serologic immunity (Health Services, 25 Texas Administrative Code Rule 97.65)
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)	A complete series of two (2) doses of a measles-mumps-rubella containing vaccine. OR Titer-a blood test confirming of MMR serologic immunity (Health Services, 25 Texas Administrative Code Rule 97.65)
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis	Students must show receipt of one (1) dose of tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine (Tdap). In addition, one (1) dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine must have been received within the last ten years. Td vaccine is an acceptable substitute, if Tdap vaccine is medically contraindicated.
Influenza Vaccine	Student must show proof of vaccine annually (between October-May) and must include vial lot number, expiration date, healthcare provider signature, and facility administering vaccine.
Tuberculosis Screening (PPD)	Students must show documentation of the current Tuberculin Skin Test with results in millimeters (mm) Students with positive TB screen results must provide proof of positive documentation and wait for instructions to complete chest x-ray from the nursing department. Negative chest x-ray results will need to be provided via a full radiology report.

Health Insurance

Learners will be required to provide proof of health/medical insurance such as Medicaid, Medicare, and/or Spouse/Parent/Employer Coverage/Insurance to participate in course activities requiring clinical observations and/or externships.

Learner Resource: University Health offers the CareLink financial assistance program to Bexar County families who do not have health insurance and do not qualify for other coverage. While CareLink is not health insurance, CareLink helps make health care services at University Health more affordable.

Access Carelink*

*Alamo Technical Institute (ATI) does not endorse CareLink or any other specific insurance product or provider. This information is provided as a resource option only. It is recommended that learners conduct their own health insurance research and choose a product/provider that suits their specific needs and circumstance.

Start Now

✓ Possess proficiency in English (reading, writing, and speaking skills)

✓ You are at least eighteen (18) years of age

✓ Have a high school diploma or GED

✓ Must have access to computer/tablet and internet

PC: Windows 8 or later / Mac: macOS 12 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Access to reliable internet, audio, and camera.

Your Course of Study

6-course program | 264 Total Course Hours

Introduction to Healthcare

12 Hours

Explore the fundamentals of the healthcare industry while building the academic and workplace skills needed for training and career success. Students learn about healthcare roles, patient care environments, professionalism, communication, and foundational healthcare concepts aligned with workforce readiness standards.

CPR/BLS Healthcare Prof

8 Hours

Earn American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) training while developing emergency response skills used in healthcare settings. Students learn CPR techniques, AED operation, ventilation procedures, and life-saving interventions for medical emergencies in clinical and community environments.

Preoperative Techniques & Lab

72 Hours

Develop foundational sterile processing skills used in surgical and healthcare environments. Students learn sterile techniques, sterilization procedures, surgical instrument preparation, equipment handling, infection prevention, and healthcare safety practices essential for sterile processing careers.

Sterile Processing Cert Review

18 Hours

Prepare for the Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) certification exam through guided review, skills reinforcement, and practice assessments. Students strengthen technical knowledge, safety procedures, and industry standards needed for certification readiness and workplace success.

Sterile Processing Externship

112 Hours

Gain supervised hands-on experience in healthcare environments while applying sterile processing knowledge and technical skills in real-world settings. Students strengthen professionalism, equipment handling, sterilization procedures, and workplace readiness through clinical training experiences.

Success in Healthcare

42 Hours

Strengthen workplace readiness skills through hands-on learning focused on communication, healthcare fundamentals, digital literacy, and professional practices. Students build reading, writing, math, and problem-solving skills while preparing for success in healthcare training and clinical environments.