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
Admission Requirements
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
Application Process
Please note: Applications for the 2024 cohort have closed. For more information about the summer 2025 cohort, please contact the Program Director.
Applications are accepted through the VUMC Human Resources Department. Please check the job search page for opportunities here.
Contact Info
Leteya Tsonetokoy, MA, CST, TS-C, CRCST
Program Director
l.tsonetokoy@vumc.org