Explore one of the most exciting, highly technical, and specialized environments in healthcare. The surgical processing department of a healthcare facility is the center of all activity involving cleaning and sterilizing supplies and equipment needed for surgery and other patient care areas.<br><br>The Surgical Processing Technician program provides students with the knowledge and professional skills necessary to deliver support to all patient care areas within a healthcare facility. Students learn processes for maintaining medical instruments and devices that must be decontaminated, processed, sterilized, and distributed in hospitals and surgical centers. Graduates have in-depth knowledge of infection control as it relates to sterile processing and decontamination procedures, instruments used in operating rooms, and processes for sterilizing and packaging instruments used during surgery.<br><br>Students who wish to enhance their career opportunities can apply Surgical Processing Technician certificate program credits toward the Berkeley College Health Sciences Associate in Applied Science degree program.<br><br>Benefit from:<br><br>A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of decontamination<br>Hands-on learning in on-site medical laboratories that simulate the surgical processing environment<br>Opportunities to practice communication and interpersonal skills needed for developing a rapport with colleagues and patients<br>Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of a practicum at an off-campus healthcare facility under the supervision of instructors and professional practitioners<br>The Berkeley College Surgical Processing Technician program meets the requirements of the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). As a result, graduates of the Surgical Processing Technician program are eligible to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) examination. <br><br>Graduates of the Surgical Processing Technician program also are eligible to participate in the Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) examination administered by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).<br><br>Not all programs are offered for completion at each campus or through Berkeley College Online®. Please review the academic program pages (https://berkeleycollege.edu/academics/index.html) for information on where each program is offered. Additionally, all students may be required to take some courses at another campus or online. The Internship courses are only offered online.