Central Service Processing Technician
The healthcare system depends on sterile processing professionals. Train for this critical behind-the-scenes role in as few as 12 months.
- $55,630* NY Avg. Annual Wage
- 10%^ Job Growth
- Can be completed in as few as 12 months†
Next classes start on January 19, 2027.
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Your Career in Sterile Processing Starts Here
The healthcare system depends on sterile processing professionals to keep patients safe. Every surgical procedure — every instrument that enters an operating room — passes through the hands of a Central Service Processing Technician. It's essential, behind-the-scenes work that makes modern healthcare possible.
At Swedish Institute, our 12-month CSPT program prepares you to decontaminate, disinfect, process, and store sterile and nonsterile supplies across real hospital and surgical settings. You'll graduate meeting Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) requirements and eligible to sit for the CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) certification exam — the industry standard credential in the field.
Additionally, all students in our on-campus programs receive an iPad to aid them in their studies.
In 12 months, you'll build the technical knowledge and hands-on skills that sterile processing departments require from day one. The program includes 400 hours of clinical externship training in real healthcare facilities — the practical foundation that employers expect.
What Does a Central Service Processing Technician Do?
Central Service Processing Technicians are responsible for the decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of medical instruments and supplies used in surgical and clinical procedures. Their work is critical to patient safety. Day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Decontaminating and inspecting surgical instruments and medical equipment
- Assembling, packaging, and sterilizing instrument sets for operating room use
- Operating and monitoring sterilization equipment (autoclaves, washers, etc.)
- Maintaining inventory records and tracking instrument distribution
- Ensuring compliance with infection control protocols and regulatory standards
- Coordinating with surgical teams to ensure instruments are available for procedures
With training from Swedish Institute, graduates of our CSPT program are prepared for early employment in a variety of settings, such as:
Tuition & Financial Aid
Paying for sterile processing training doesn't have to be overwhelming. Swedish Institute offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities for eligible students so you can focus on your education. Our financial aid team will walk you through tuition, payment options, and the financial aid process every step of the way.
Explore our scholarships, financial aid resources, and application process to get started. You can also use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition.
What Our Graduates Say
The teaching was very clear and the process was very easy. The way the school worked, it made it very easy and you had everything on hand, especially with the iPad. It makes it very easy to get everything under control. And the scheduling is so good because they have different times for specific programs.
Thank you for your invaluable teachings, insights, and encouragement. Every lesson and guidance you provided helped me grow not only as a student but also as a future sterile processing technician. I'm equally grateful to the entire staff at Swedish Institute, whose efforts made the experience less stressful and fostered a positive environment in which I could thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- † Applies to full-time students only.
- * State Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System. Information is for New York State Medical Equipment Preparers. Data from May 2025. https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home. Site visited 6/8/2026.
- ^ Growth Projections regarding Medical Equipment Preparers come from the Occupational Outlook Handbook’s Guide to “Occupations Not Covered in Detail” section. Data from May 2024. Site visited 6/8/2026.
- National long-term projections and salary averages may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual growth or any particular salary. Swedish Institute does not guarantee employment. Swedish Institute cannot guarantee a student’s eligibility either to take any exam or become certified, registered, or licensed.
- Swedish Institute’s programs are registered by the New York State Education Department. Accredited by ACCSC. For important information on program costs, completion and placement rates, median debt incurred, etc., please visit: http://www.swedishinstitute.edu/student-consumer-information.
- Some content on this website was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.