SPD: Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician

Course Duration: 115 hours
Externship Duration: 240-400 hours
Enrollment Cost: $600.00
Tuition Cost: $4,025
Total Cost: $4,625.00

Sterile Processing and Distribution Technicians (SPD Techs/SPDTs) are responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, storing, and distributing medical equipment. They are the most impactful defense against the spread of diseases in healthcare facilities.

Our program is designed to prepare you for both the CBSPD Certification Exam and the rigor of the healthcare industry. Certifications are valid for 5 years. This program meets the national and international credentialing industry standards for the development, implementation, and maintenance of certification programs set by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). You do not need any prior education or experience in the healthcare industry or the medical field to enroll.

Our program is the fastest in the area, ranging from 5-10 weeks depending on the schedule of your choice. We offer a variety of schedules so you can choose the one that works for you. Unique features of the course include:

• Weekday, Night, and Weekend Classes
• 80% Live Online Classes
• 20% In-Person Labs
• Qualification for the CBSPD Exam in just 115 hours
• Comprehensive CBSPD Board Exam Review
• 240-400 Externship Hours (optional)
• Professionalism, Job Search, and Externship Preparation Workshop

To enroll in this course you must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. You must provide a government ID and submit to a background check.

Program Features

Our programs offer unrivaled speed, affordability, and flexibility. Each course is led by an experienced teacher who will prepare you to pass the board exam and give you the tools you need to succeed as an SPD tech. The cost of the program includes:

1. Textbook and uniform
2. A comprehensive online review for the board exam
3. BLS/CPR certification from Zenith Career Services.
4. An in-house career workshop to improve your resume and interview skills.

Altamont Healthcare graduates who have passed the board exam are eligible for our exclusive externship program which provides 240-400 hours of training and hands-on experience in a partner medical facility and the opportunity to impress employers with your performance. Externships are a great way to receive job training, earn work experience, build connections before applying for a paid position.

Learn From the Best

At Altamont Healthcare, you will be taught by certified and experienced instructors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching the next generation of Sterile Processing & Distribution Technicians. During your externship, you will be placed in a functioning Sterile Processing Department to get first-hand experience, build connections, and education with seasoned technicians, managers, and nurses. Our curriculum ensures that you’ll fully understand the sterilization process and the importance of maintaining a high quality of care and dedication at each level of the department. When you pass the CBSPD exam, your certification will be valid in healthcare facilities across the world!

SPD + ERT Discount

We’ll waive your Endoscope Reprocessing Technician (ERT) Program Registration fee when you co-enroll in SPD. Combined with our Option 1 discount, you could save up to $545.00 while boosting your earning potential and making yourself more attractive to employers.

Endoscope Reprocessing is a specialized skillset which is highly sought-after by employers of Sterile Processing and Distribution Technicians. ERTs are capable of cleaning and sterilizing endoscopes used in minimally invasive surgeries; these instruments have delicate parts and hard-to-clean areas which demand extra knowledge and training for safe reuse. The SPD + ERT program gives you a head start in the field by equipping you with specialized knowledge and skills that most SPD techs do not have. Having education in both SPD and ERT makes you more competitive during the hiring process and gives you leverage when negotiating a salary.

Flexible Tuition Payments

We are proud to provide the Central Valley with the most affordable tuition rates among SPD certificate programs. We offer payment plans, discounts, and student loans. If none of our financial options seem within your reach, we would be happy to talk with you and create a customized payment plan.

Sterile Processing is an In-Demand Career

The best time to become a Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician is all the time. Medical facilities will always be seeing patients, using medical tools, and performing surgeries, and SPD Techs are essential to this process. The basic functioning of any hospital relies on Sterile Processing, which is why it is often referred to as the “heart” of the hospital. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities have never been more concerned about sterilizing equipment and avoiding cross-contamination. This is why SPD Technicians enjoy high job security and great employee benefits.

Many SPDT positions are flexible, affording graduates the opportunity for full-time, part-time, per diem, and even traveling roles for hospitals, healthcare facilities, research laboratories, and private corporations. SPD Techs can expect to make about $50,000 per year, with top earners making over $73,000!

We Help You Prepare for Your New Sterile Processing Career

If you want to become a Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician, we are here to help you achieve your goals. We understand how difficult the exam can be and we want to make sure you are as ready as possible to maximize your success. Our SPD program includes a board exam review for those who are intending to take the CBSPD board exam.

Board Examination Review

Before you become a Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician, you need to pass an examination to ensure you have the knowledge necessary to perform well in the field. There are strict regulations that dictate how to perform this job properly. At Altamont Healthcare, we offer an examination review designed to work around your schedule in both home and work through a comprehensive online format. The content of the review goes over all important topics that will appear in the board exam, quizzes along with each topic, and 4 practice tests that are made up of over 400 board-exam type questions. This will further prepare you to take and pass the certification board exam. We understand how overwhelming this examination can be and we want to make sure you have all the tools to pass it.

We will cover all of the information you need to pass the CBSPD board examination. This review is designed to improve your ability to identify the right answer when faced with analytical and situational questions. It is based on the book The Basics of Sterile Processing 5^th Edition by Nancy Chobin and is geared towards is the examination through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). The review help you crystallize the information you’ve already learned to ensure you can more easily remember it when you take your examination. Our instructors are available to answer any questions you may have and help you understand the concepts that may be difficult for you to grasp.

The course has 3 modules aimed to hit the main focus points of the examination and clarify confusing concepts. Additionally, there are 3 sets of 100-item  examinations with multiple-choice questions, designed to give each student a feel for the board exam questions.

• Module 1 (Ethics & Life Sciences)
• Module 2  (Decontamination & Preparation and Packaging)
• Module 3 (Sterilization, Storage & Distribution)
• Practice Exams (4 sets of 100-item exams)

Registration and Log In

Our Comprehensive Online Review course is available to all our students and alumni. Your instructor will provide you with a link to this review at the end of the course.

Contact us today to learn more.