Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH

The Sterile Processing program at Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become vital members of the healthcare team. This program focuses on the essential processes of decontaminating, cleaning, inspecting, assembling, packaging, sterilizing, and storing surgical instruments, medical devices, and equipment. Students learn infection control principles, quality assurance measures, and regulatory guidelines to ensure patient safety. Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory exercises, and clinical experiences (likely externships), students gain practical experience in a simulated or real-world sterile processing environment. The program is designed to prepare graduates to successfully pass a national certification exam, such as the CRCST or CSPDT, and secure entry-level positions as sterile processing technicians in hospitals, surgical centers, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. The program’s duration is typically one to two years, depending on whether it’s offered as a certificate or associate degree program. A strong emphasis is placed on adherence to safety protocols and maintaining a sterile environment.

You can view detailed information about the programs or certificates available at Cuyahoga Community College District on the NCES website.

* Cohort Year represents the year for which students began their studies and applies to Graduation and Transfer Out Rates.
** Net Price is Average Net Price for 2022-2023 generated for full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. For public institutions only students paying the in-state or in-district rate are included. For institutions that charge students by program, net price is generated for the institution’s largest program.
NA (Not applicable) – Graduation rate, transfer-out rate and the net price are not applicable to institutions that do not have full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduate students in the applicable cohort year or the financial aid year.