CST 102 - Microbiology for Central Service

This course introduces student to microorganisms and their effect on the living organisms and the relationship of microorganisms to our lives. The concepts of microbiology as they apply to sterile processing technician, functions in the areas of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization of medical equipment, surgical instruments and patient care equipments. Topics include the history of microbiology, naming, classification and structure of bacteria, gram-positive organisms, gram-negative organisms, viruses, protozoa, fungi, prions, disease causing and transmission.

CST 103 - Decontamination of Medical Equipment, Instruments, and Trays

This course introduces the student to the basic and methods of cleaning and decontamination, selection and the use of detergents, various types of mechanical cleaning of instruments, the process of manual cleaning of specialty devices. Types of disinfectants, their uses and application, water quality, temperatures, humidity, air exchange, and the use of personal protective equipments (PPE), safety and regulations (OSHA, EPA, FDA) governing decontamination and detergents.

CST 104 - Sterilization I

In this course student will learn how healthcare facilities can choose from a wide variety of sterilization methods, sterilization equipments, procedures, chemical and biological indicators, various process challenge device (PCD) testing, record keeping, logs, sterilization parameters, functions, concepts, maintenance, monitoring, controls and practices, federal regulations affecting the use of various types of sterilization machines. Other topics include loading and unloading of the sterilizer, physical, chemical and biological monitoring.