About the Profession
Central sterile processing technicians play a crucial role by ensuring that medical instruments are properly cleaned, sterilized, and ready for procedures. Technicians inspect, decontaminate, clean, sterilize, process, assemble, package, store, and distribute medical instrumentation. Many work in hospitals, though some work in outpatient surgery centers, physicians' offices, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.
About the Program
Earn while you learn! Not only will VUMC cover the cost of your tuition, you will receive an hourly wage throughout the program with the expectation that upon program completion, you commit to a full-time position as a central sterile processing technician at VUMC and continue in that role for 1 year.
The Central Sterile Processing Technician Program is a partnership between Nashville State Community College (NSCC) and CPiAH. Students complete classroom instruction at NSCC, where they learn about anatomy, medical terminology, and microbiology as well as proper identification and handling of instruments. Coursework helps prepare students to take the certification exam of their choice.
Classroom training is reinforced through hands-on clinical training at VUMC. Under the supervision of clinical preceptors, students learn to identify, clean, disinfect, and handle instrumentation for specific surgical procedures.
Program Structure
- 12 weeks
- Monday-Friday, 8 hour daytime shift
- Lectures and lab at the NSCC White Bridge campus
- Clinical training at VUMC
Accepted interns will be expected to travel between Nashville State (White Bridge Campus) and Vanderbilt Health's Case Cart Operations Center (off Briley Park Blvd) throughout the 12-week program. Employment will be transferred to the Case Cart Operations Center following graduation. If you are interested in working at the medical center or other locations, we cannot accommodate your request at this time.
Admission Requirements
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
Application Process
The spring 2025 cohort will begin on 03/10/2025, and applications will open on 01/10/2025.
The summer 2025 cohort will begin on 06/02/2025. The training/hiring location and application date will be announced in the new year.
Applications are accepted through the VUMC Human Resources Department. Please check the job search page for opportunities here.
We highly encourage you to join us for a virtual information session via Teams on Monday, December 9th, at 3 p.m. (Please use this link.) This session will allow you to meet with the Center for Programs in Allied Health, Central Sterile Processing, and the Talent Acquisition team to have your questions answered. It's a crucial step in your application process. Thank you.
Contact Info
Leteya Tsonetokoy, MA, CST, TS-C, CRCST
Program Director
l.tsonetokoy@vumc.org