Central Processing Technician Program
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is CPD?
A: The Central
Processing Department is the nucleus of a healthcare facility where
medical/surgical supplies and equipment are cleaned, processed, packaged,
sterilized, and used for patient care.
Q: What does a Central Processing
Technician do?
A: Central
Processing Technicians are healthcare professionals who use specialized
training in aseptic technique to ensure a sterilized environment for medical
personnel and patients. Their primary responsibility is infection control which
includes cleaning, testing, assembling, adjusting, packaging and sterilizing
reusable medical supplies, instruments and equipment.
Q: What are the requirements to take the
Central Processing Technician course?
A: All applicants must
fill out an application, and pay the $850 course fee; All applicants must have
graduated from high school or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age
Q: Is there an application deadline?
A: Our program reviews
and accepts applications year-round. Once enrolled, students are allowed to
begin the course immediately.
Q: Are there any prerequisite courses I
need to take before I take the Central Processing course?
A: No. There are
no prerequisite courses needed for this course.
Q: How do I apply for the course?
A: To be
considered for admission into the program, you must:
1. Submit a
completed on-line application
2. Pay $1150
course tuition
Q: How much does the course cost?
A: The cost of
the course is $1150.00
Q: What does the program cost include?
A: Tuition,
course material, final exam fee, and certificate
Q: Does CPTTS offer financial aid?
A: Our institution
does not provide financial aid, nor do we accept grants. Students are required
to make financial plans that suit their personal needs prior to enrolling in
the course.
Q: Do I have to have experience in the
health care industry to take the course?
A: No. Our
students come from diverse backgrounds that are not limited to the health care
industry.
Q: Do I need to know medical terminology
before I begin the course?
A: No. Each
chapter comes with a list of medical terms. We encourage students to study
these lists and memorize them. Knowing and understanding medical terminology
plays a big role in your success in the field.
Q: What is the length of the course?
A: Students have
up to 12 weeks to complete the program.
Q: Is the entire course offered online?
A. Yes.
Q: If I start the program on-line, can I
switch to the class version? Do I have the option?
A: If you are
located in the
Q: Is this a full time program?
A: No. This
course is set up to accommodate students who work full time. With 24/7 access
to the course, students work on their own time and pace until the course is
completed.
Q: Does this course require an internship?
A: No. Although
this course does not require an internship to obtain a certificate, we
encourage students to gain as much hands on experience as possible. It is
strongly recommended that students learn surgical instruments, gain hands-on
experience through internships, and read additional material pertaining to the
Central Processing Department to enhance their learning experience and increase
their knowledge.
Q: How many chapters are taught in this
course?
A: Ten chapters
will be presented in the course:
Introduction to Central Processing Department: History, purpose and concepts of CPD
Microbiology: Basic microbiology and its importance to
the CPD environment
Decontamination: Purpose and procedures of
decontamination and infection control
Surgical Instrumentation: Components, proper handling and overview of instruments
Packaging: Proper packing/wrapping of materials and supplies for processing
Sterilization: Requirements and proper preparation of
items for sterilization
Clean/Sterile Storage: Understanding requirements for clean and
sterile storage
Distribution: Accurate, efficient distribution of
equipment and supplies
Inventory Management: Identify the role and process of
inventory management
Synopsis, roles and functions of major body systems: Synopsis, roles and functions of major
body systems
Q: How long is each chapter? What does
each chapter include? How long do I have to complete it?
A: Each chapter
consists of information that pertains to the subject matter at hand and
includes PowerPoint presentations, medical terminology, chapter summary, all
information needed is provided for successful completion of each chapter.
Students have the freedom to complete each module on their own time provided
they complete the course in 12 weeks.
Q: Can I by-pass or challenge a class if I
already took it?
A: No. We do not
allow students to by-pass or challenge any subjects covered in the course
content. Each topic provides a foundation that builds upon itself as each
chapter progresses and is necessary to successfully perform as a Central
Processing Technician.
Q: Can I choose the order of the chapters
to study?
A: No. Students
are required to complete each course topic sequentially.
Q: What if I do not or cannot complete the
course in 12 weeks?
A: Contact the
Program Director immediately and arrangements will be made to assist you with
the completion of the course.
Q: Can I do extra credit work?
A: No extra
credit is offered for this program.
Q: Can I transfer the classes of this
course to another college?
A: No. This program does
not have transfer options into other degree programs.
Q: What happens if I don’t pass the
chapter test?
A: You will have five (5)
opportunities to take the chapter test to pass it with a score of 80 or higher.
Students must pass each chapter test to be granted access to the next chapter.
Contact the Program Administrator if you do not pass the test after 5 tries for
further instructions.
Q: What are the graduation requirements?
A: To be eligible
for graduation from the program, students must meet the following criteria:
- All financial obligations must be met
- The student must pass all chapter tests and
final exam with scores of 80% or higher
- Course must be completed in 12 weeks or less
Q: Once I complete the program, will I be
getting a diploma or certificate?
A: A certificate
of completion is awarded to all students that successfully meet the
requirements of the course.
Q: How will I get my certificate of
completion?
A: Once you have
successfully completed the course, your certificate of completion will be
mailed to you.
Q: What is the refund policy?
A:
PRO-RATED REFUNDS will be given to students withdrawing from
the course after the first five (5) days up to the fifth (5th) week of class
after registering with CPTTS.
NO REFUNDS will be given after the fifth (5th)
week after registering with CPTTS.
Students can
withdraw from the program up to five (5) weeks after registering to receive a
partial refund. Only the portion of the program that is not completed will be
considered for the pro-rated refund if the request is made within the
acceptable timeframe. Refunds will be paid within thirty (30) days after the request
has been made.
Q: Does the completion of this course
automatically certify me as a Central Processing Technician?
A: No. This
program is considered a stepping stone and certifies you as a Level I Central
Processing Technician.
The state of
Q: Will the course prepare me to sit for
the national certification exam?
A: Yes. This
course is designed to prepare students for the national exam. Test preparation
is strongly emphasized throughout the course.
Q: How can I get more information about
the national certification test?
A: There are many
websites that provide this information about the organization and test dates
and sites. Students are encouraged to research websites that provide
information on local test sites and dates.
Q: Where can I work once I complete the
course?
A: Upon successful
completion of the course, students will be able to obtain entry level positions
as a Central Processing Technician in hospitals, outpatient centers, surgical
centers, doctors’/dentists’ office, and other medical facilities.
Q: Do you offer job placement?
A: No. We do not offer
job placement. Students that have successfully completed the course have stated
they have gained employment in various medical facilities after completing
paid/unpaid internships.
Q: Who can I contact if I have any questions?
A: Should any
questions or concerns arise during the course, you are highly advised to
contact the Program Administrator as soon as possible to address any
issues. Questions are encouraged and
welcomed.
Q: What are the hours of a technician?
A: Some central
processing departments may operate 24 hours a day so technicians must work
shifts that may include nights, weekends and holidays.
Q: How much will I make as a CPD
Technician?
A: Salaries vary depending on the responsibilities of the position and the
qualifications of the worker.
Q: What are the performance requirements
of a CPD technician?
A: Performance
requirements for a CPD technician includes:
Didactic
Knowledge:
- Proper handling, cleaning, assembly, function
testing, packaging and sterilization of surgical instruments and equipment
- Medical terminology
- Surgical instrumentation
- Successful completion of chapters: Introduction
to Central Processing Department, Microbiology, Decontamination, Surgical
Instrumentation, Packaging, Sterilization, Clean/Sterile Storage,
Distribution, Inventory Management, Anatomy and Physiology
- Aseptic technique
- Learn how microbes and germs cause infections
- Manage inventory
- Order supplies
- Inspect, maintain integrity of sterilized
packages
- Deliver and retrieve instruments and equipment
Communication and
Interpersonal Skills:
- Be able to read/write/speak English
- Communicate effectively with co-workers, nurses
and physicians
- Be a team player and become a part of the
hospital team
- Establish and maintain effective working
relationships with management and other employees
- Work independently
- Have the ability to exercise judgment and make
decisions
- Must be honest, dependable, and ethical
- Ability to perform while under stress
- Ability to document accurately and concisely
- Be willing to learn new procedures, material
protocols
Physical Demands
- Eye/hand coordination. Full use of arms, hands
and wrists
- Students should be able to stand for at least 8
hours at a time
- Be able to lift at least 50 lbs
- Transport, lift, lower, move, turn heavy objects
- Color vision and depth perception: Must be able
to differentiate between colors
- Respond to audio signals
- Keep up with a fast paced environment
- Be able to multi-task
Q: What skills do I need to be successful?
A: Many Technicians have
the following skills: good organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills,
ability to work independently or in a team setting, ability to adapt to
changing technology, good problem solving skills, and good physical stamina
(ability to walk or stand for long periods of time).
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: For a complete
summary report for Central Processing Technicians, please visit: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/31-9093.00
