A non-refundable registration deposit of $500 is due to enroll you in the course. At the registration meeting, upon your payment of $500, you will receive your course textbook and workbook, along with a welcome package and study materials. The $500 deposit does guarantee you a seat, is NOT refundable, and WILL be applied to your overall course fee. STERIS University has you covered from point of use to storage and everything in between.
By exhibiting at the conference, exhibitors will get an opportunity to showcase their products and services to a target audience. The Annual Conference will offer attendees a wide range of educational topics that will showcase technical improvements for their department, updates to standards and regulations, and how to sharpen their soft skills. We will not enroll more than 20 students per class, with 2 seated per table–spaced out 6-feet apart.

The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management is the premier association for healthcare Sterile Processing/Central Service professionals and has been in operation since 1958. IAHCSMM provides structural educational opportunities, professional development and a forum for information exchange to more than 38,000 members and certification holders. Originally, this type of sterilization was intended for use only in an emergency, such as when a one-of-a-kind instrument was contaminated or dropped from the sterile field. Unfortunately, it has now become common place and used too frequently due to time and budget constraints. Because items do not recieve the complete traditional sterilization processing, professional groups and accreditation agencies believe that IUSS should not be  a routine practice, but rather used only in select clinical situations, and in a controlled manner. IAHCSMM offers the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification, which is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the experience, knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent services as a Central Service Technician.
Patients rarely meet Central Service (CS) professionals, but they rely on them just the same. They count on technicians for clean, sterile, well-functioning instruments. They count on them to follow best practices and stay ahead of the technology curve. The exam is scheduled and administered directly through HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM). Additionally, once you are  certified, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILTY to maintain your certification through your employer’s in-services and/or via HSPA’s online courses. For now, we do not have to be accredited to instruct our current program.
Our instructors are all CRCST, CIS, CHL, and CST certified, as well as being extremely experienced — with each having at least 18 years background in Instrument Processing and Surgical Technology. We are currently working on accreditation so we can offer more programs in the healthcare field. While we are willing to accept all of the above, this program will not meet the requirements to receive financial assistance from most employers or agencies because we are not yet an accredited institution. Our comprehensive Certified and Registered Central Service Technician practice tests are designed to mimic the actual exam. You will gain an understanding of the types of questions and information you will encounter when you take your Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management Certified and Registered Central Service Technician Certification Exam.
Candidates for an HSPA exam may not schedule until they have received application approval from HSPA, along with an Eligibility ID. Earn continuing education with new episodes streaming on the 1st and 15th of every month.
Those who did not select the membership option when they re-certified with IAHCSMM may do so at any time. Although we understand that the cancellation is disappointing for all who were planning to attend, we believe that canceling the in-person Conference & Expo is the most appropriate response given the current pandemic-related trends. All along, we have been planning a virtual conference option and that will still take place Oct. 15–28. We look forward to having you participate in this virtual event, which will deliver first-class education in a safe, innovative and user-friendly format.
After scheduling your exam, please review your appointment confirmation email to ensure that you have the correct exam, date, time, and testing location. If you do not receive a confirmation email, the appointment has either not been completed, or your email was entered incorrectly. Certification helps to ensure Sterile Processing (SP) professionals possess the essential knowledge and skills necessary for managing critical departmental duties safely, effectively and consistently. IAHCSMM offers education, professional development, certification, and communication service to the central service profession.

Application To Apply For Iahcsmm Certification

The Conference also provides participants with the perfect opportunity to network with peers to share best practices and engage in effective problem-solving—all while building valuable knowledge and skills. An overall passing grade is required on our 2-part final exam, which includes both a didactic and instrumentation exam. If a student does not pass either exam, they are allowed an opportunity to retake either or both exams. However, if the student does not pass the make-up, or if the instructor and extern coordinator feel the student requires more improvement, the student will not be placed for extern until they make arrangements for the refresher or instrumentation course.
Department Managers and Technicians learn current standards and best practices on Device Processing and Infection Prevention, while earning needed free continuing education credits. The Career Center serves to connect SPD professionals with the employers that need them—both through active and passive means. SPD professionals can post their resumes, search available jobs, and set up job alerts with specific criteria of what they’re looking for. SPD employers can post jobs, manage applications through the Center, search posted resumes, or set up email alerts for new resumes that match the candidate criteria they’ve set. We are fully accredited with the Better Business Bureau, and have many satisfied customers who have successfully passed their certification exam with the help of our test preparation materials.
The Certified and Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification exam is a comprehensive examination aimed at evaluating the knowledge and skills of professionals working in the central service department of healthcare facilities. This certification is essential for individuals who are responsible for the cleaning, decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical devices. The exam is administered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM).
The federal Conditions of Participation for all Medicare receiving hospitals (CoPs) (all acute care hospitals in Connecticut are in this category) includes extensive infection control and prevention obligations. There are also various federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations applicable to infection control practices. Because of that goal, we have been closely monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks and epidemiology data across the nation and, especially, in Ohio and Columbus/Frankin County. Upon successfully passing the CRCST exam, candidates will be awarded the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) credential by the IAHCSMM. This certification demonstrates the individual’s commitment to professional excellence and adherence to industry standards and best practices. CRCSTs are required to maintain their certification through continuing education and recertification every year to ensure that they stay current with the latest developments in the field.
Our practice tests give you the psychological advantage of walking into the test day with confidence, knowing that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed. The CBSPD is administered by a Board of Directors who have extensive expertise in the profession of healthcare sterile processing and distribution & flexible endoscope reprocessing. You asked about laws requiring the certification of individuals who clean sterile instruments in hospitals. You also asked about current law regarding sterilization of hospital equipment. IAHCSMM began formal certification of CS technicians in 1971 to provide a mechanism for individuals to be recognized as having the necessary competence to perform their duties as Central Service professionals. In a low unemployment economy, it’s more important than ever for employers to get on the radar of interested job seekers.
Additionally, candidates must have completed at least 400 hours of hands-on experience in a central service department to be eligible for the certification. Connecticut does not require the certification of central sterile supply technicians or central service technicians (i.e., staff persons responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, and decontaminating surgical instruments and related health care supplies). CRCST certification requires that you pass the certification exam and complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a CS department. These hours can be completed before testing or within 6 months of passing the exam.
Gain valuable knowledge and proficiencies while you’re earning your high school diploma. JMHS gives you the opportunity to work at your own pace and earn a regionally-accredited high school diploma plus a Career Pathways Certificate by logging in to class from virtually anywhere. We work with institutional partners to offer a wide array of practice tests that will help you prepare for your big exam. No matter how niche your field of interest might be, we’re here to help you prepare for test day. Our 5-test bundle of practice exams costs less than the cost of taking the actual certification exam. By providing realistic and high-quality practice tests, Exam Edge ensures you are thoroughly prepared for the Certified and Registered Central Service Technician exam.
Immediate-use steam sterilization is denoted as a process that is used only in emergencies and only if the devices that are to be sterilized are compatible with that process.” – Natalie Lind, CRCST, CHL, FCS, IAHCSMM Education Director. Those interested in becoming a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) have a wealth of resources at their fingertips. IAHCSMM offers a host of educational tools to prepare technicians for their exam.

Please click here to visit the IAHCSMM website for more information regarding the CRCST certification exam and requirements. While some facilities hire students without certification, they allot a timeframe (from 12 to 18 months) for you to become certified. We take make-up days into consideration when scheduling, therefore, our course can last for up to 18/19 weeks if required to ensure all information is covered.

Advance your career with a certification in sterile processing

It supports on-time starts, surgeon satisfaction, and overall efficiency—all of which translate to financial results. But, most importantly, effective sterile processing management reduces the occurrence of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), which can significantly harm the patients entrusted to your care. The Career Center’s main distinguishing feature is that the platform is specific to the central service (aka SPD) profession. Rather than sorting through a bunch of unrelated jobs or candidates that may have no interest or even experience in health care, job seekers are only served up postings for central service jobs and employers are connected with qualified central service candidates. For job seekers and employers in the sterile processing space, the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) has a job site built specifically for our industry. Whether you’re looking for your next career move or your facility has a number of positions to fill, IAHCSMM’s Career Center can help you make the connections you need.

Continuing Education

In conclusion, the CRCST certification exam is an essential step for professionals working in the central service department of healthcare facilities to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to maintaining high standards in the field. By obtaining this certification, individuals can enhance their professional credibility, improve their job prospects, and contribute to the overall safety and quality of patient care. In this day and age, healthcare facilities are under great pressure to prevent surgical site infections. It seems obvious that items that do not receive full sterilization cycles are likely to be the source of infections. Surgical Technicians and Central Service professionals must become aware of the issues surrounding this form of sterilization, and the standards, regulations and best practices regarding its use. This is especially critical for short sterilization cycles, as it takes time for steam to penetrate a sterilizer load and achieve an acceptable sterility assurance level.
If you are released from extern before completing your required 400 hours, you will have to contact the extern coordinator directly. After your $500 deposit, your next payment of $500 will be due on the 1st of the month following your start date. The payment arrangement is broken down into three monthly payments of $500, due on the 1st of the months for the three consecutive months of your course session. Your final payment of $800 will be due at the time of extern placement. The rising tide of impurities like iron, calcium and others can lead to a host of sterile processing problems.
IAHCSMM highly recommends completing, or at least beginning, your hours of experience before testing. Hands-on experience provides an invaluable resource with which to better understand the standards, knowledge, and practices needed to be successful in a CS department and on the CRCST Exam. The IAHCSMM is responsible for the development, administration, and accreditation of the CRCST exam. They ensure that the exam content is relevant to the industry standards and best practices, and that it accurately assesses the competencies required for successful performance in the central service department of healthcare facilities. Certification helps meet these expectations and ensures that CS professionals possess the essential knowledge and skills necessary for managing critical departmental duties safely, effectively and consistently. There are also federal requirements on infection control and sterilization.
Your registration fee is waived and you will be required to pay monthly payments of $250 for the course PLUS the required fee for extern placement. For example, the full course with study materials and extern placement is $2,800. This includes textbook, workbook, tutoring sessions, access to in-class study materials, online study materials, background check, drug screening, CPR Certification/Renewal, and guaranteed extern placement. Those who are already a member of IAHCSMM likely can attest to the benefits, but this article may highlight benefits that some may not have known were available. I encourage those who are aware of the membership benefits to share this article with co-workers or others who may not have chosen membership at the time of their recertification, or with uncertified CS/SP professionals who will still benefit from IAHCSMM membership.
Additional credits will be available from pre-conference events and education during the Expo. Attendees will have access to dozens of educational sessions, with each covering some of the most pertinent issues impacting the profession and led by industry-leading experts. The externship is 40 hours per week, 5 days a week – Monday through Friday, with various 8-hour shifts available. The requested URL /academics/degrees-certificates/central-processing-technology-technical-certificate was not found on this server. In addition to being a place to post job openings, the Career Center enables employers to manage applications within its interface (employers can opt-out of this and have applicants directed to their company’s internal application if desired).