Sep 20, 2025  
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year) 
    
GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year)
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SPT 145 - Sterile Processing Tech I


Description
This course introduces individuals to basic skills needed in the Sterile Processing Department of health care facilities. Duties include processing of patient care equipment, supplies, and instruments for use in all departments. It also includes principles and practices of decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and distribution of medical/surgical supplies. Clinical component is included.
Credit Hours: 5
Contact Hours: 7
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: Admission to the Sterile Processing Program code 386.
Consent to Enroll in Course: Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: No
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Surgical Technology, A.A.A.S, Sterile Processing Technology, Certificate
General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
  1. Apply knowledge of the functions and responsibilities of the Central Service Department.
    1. Protect the patients, yourself, other personnel, and the environment by practice of safety techniques and hazard prevention.
    2. Facilitate infection control practices.
    3. Perform proper procedures of decontamination and disinfection.
    4. Arrange and assemble surgical instrument sets and procedure trays.
    5. Prepare and package items for sterilization.
    6. Operate sterilization equipment.
    7. Monitor and document the sterilization process.
    8. Provide disinfected and properly functioning patient care equipment to patients.
    9. Assemble Surgical Case Carts.
    10. Ensure sterility maintenance through inventory control measures.
  2. Exhibit the behavior of a professional in the discipline.
    1. Demonstrate dependability:
      1. Work when scheduled.
      2. Be punctual.
      3. Follow facility and department policies and procedures.
  3. Demonstrate organizational skills:
    1. Complete work assignments efficiently
  4. Display honesty and integrity in relationships.
  5. Demonstrate initiative by realistic goal:
    1. Setting
    2. Evaluation
    3. Achievement
  6. Perform and maintain skills required for the specific discipline.
    1. Use technology as required by the facility.
    2. Think critically.
  7. Maintain regulatory standards as defined by the discipline.
    1. Successfully complete HIPAA required training with at least an 80% by the divisional deadline.
    2. Successfully complete OSHA required training with at least an 80% by the divisional deadline.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of patient/resident/client rights.
    4. Demonstrate knowledge of confidentiality.
  8. Demonstrate safety, security and privacy.
    1. Work within OSHA standards and HIPAA guidelines.
    2. Uphold patient/resident/client rights.
    3. Maintain confidentiality.
  9. Communicate interpersonally
    1. Comprehend and communicate verbally and in writing, in the English language.
    2. Use industry forms and documents.
    3. Work with peers and supervisors in one-to-one and/or group interactions.
    4. Work as a member of a diverse team.

Course Outline:
  1. Functions and responsibilities of the Central Service Department.
    1. Safety techniques and hazard prevention.
    2. Infection control practices.
    3. Decontamination and disinfection.
    4. Surgical instrument sets and procedure trays.
    5. Sterilization equipment and process.
    6. Patient care equipment distribution.
    7. Surgical Case Carts.
    8. Sterility maintenance and inventory control.
  2. Expectations of a professional in the discipline.
    1. Dependability.
    2. Facility and department policies and procedures.
    3. Organizational skills.
    4. Honesty and integrity in relationships.
    5. Establishing realistic goals.
    6. Critical thinking. 
    7. Use of Technology. 
  3. Regulatory standards (safety, security, privacy).
    1. HIPAA.
    2. OSHA.
    3. Patient/resident/client rights.
    4. Confidentiality.

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Demonstration 20%

Lecture 40%

Clinical Evaluation 20%

Discussion 20%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None


Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None
Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 4
Total Lab Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 105123
Course CIP Code: 51.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 25
General Room Request: None
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
School: School of Health & Exercise Science
Department: Allied Health
Discipline: SPT
First Term Valid: Winter 2022 (1/1/2022)
1st Catalog Year: 2021-2022
Name of Course Author:
Nicole Claussen
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Certification/License Requirement (list below), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
CRCST certification for faculty
Course Review & Revision Year: 2025-2026



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