March 20, 2019

Fascinated by the tools and technologies used for surgery? Then a career as a sterile process technician may be your ideal job and Delta College has the advanced certificate program to help give you a head start on your adventure.

"Students that have designated surgical technology as their major can take the certificate program while they are waiting to get a clinical seat into a surgical tech program," said Rebecca Hall, the Sterile Processing Technician Program Coordinator at Delta College. "This gives students an advantage by helping them gain extensive knowledge of instrumentation and sterilization."

A sterile process technician plays a vital role in the success of patients by being in charge of surgical preparation along with cleaning, storing, sterilizing and inspecting surgical instruments and equipment used in health care systems.

This line of work is currently projected to see a slight growth over the next 10 years in the Great Lakes Bay Region. A degree in this field can open up many opportunities for you as you would become qualified to work as a surgical technologist, surgical assistant or a medical equipment preparer. Further career projections for this field estimate a ten percent increase by 2026, including 7,000 new positions being created.

"Delta’s program offers a quick way to obtain employment in the hospital or ambulatory surgery centers," said Hall. "High school graduates who are interested in a medical career can take this program to get experience, while they decide exactly what they want to do as a healthcare professional."

A Unique Opportunity

"It is a program that area hospitals support, as they are all short staffed and some hospitals can only hire someone who has gone through a program like Delta’s," said Hall. "And Delta will soon become the only school in the area to offer this program to students."

By completing Delta's program, students will be eligible to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification exam offered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM).

Find Out More

Join us at informational sessions on Wednesday, April 10, 5–7pm to learn more about Delta’s Sterile Processing Technician program in room F282 and Surgical First Assisting program in room F271.

You may also contact Rebecca Hall, Program Coordinator at rebeccahall@delta.edu or 989-686-9505 with questions.