Is the central service technician program online?

Lectures are held online in the evenings, 4:30 to 8:00 PM, about six hours a week. The 126 required clinical hours are completed in person.

Can I complete this program from outside the Youngstown area?

Not practically. While lectures are online, the program requires 126 in-person clinical hours at partner sites near Youngstown, Ohio, so students need to be able to travel to the area on a regular schedule.

What certification do I earn?

Graduates complete the program with provisional CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) certification. The program is accredited by ACCSC.

How much does central service technician training cost?

Tuition is $2,640 and supplies are $260, for a total of $2,900, plus a $30 application fee. Plan for roughly $860 in additional estimated out-of-pocket costs.

When can I start, and is a placement test required?

There are two starts a year — fall (August through December) and spring (January through May). No TABE test is required; there is a short online self-assessment, plus a background check, drug screening, and required vaccinations.

Central Service Technician Program

Choffin’s Central Service Technician program takes 17 weeks and prepares you to sterilize, process, and distribute medical instruments. Lectures meet online in the evenings, 4:30 to 8:00 PM, and are paired with 126 clinical hours completed in person in the Youngstown, Ohio area. Graduates finish with provisional CRCST certification.

17 weeksProgram length
Online, evenings 4:30–8:00 PMLectures
$2,900Tuition & supplies
Provisional CRCSTYou finish with

About This Program

Central Service Technicians sterilize, clean, process, assemble, store, and distribute medical supplies. Work in surgical teams across Emergency Room, Labor and Delivery, Endoscopy, Cath Lab, ICU, and Surgery departments.

Program Highlights

Online classes with in-person clinical hours
Fall and Spring start options
Provisional CRCST certification upon completion
Median annual wage: $45,280 (BLS)
Growing demand in healthcare

Curriculum

Sterilization & Decontamination
Medical Instrument Processing
Assembly & Distribution
Surgical Team Operations
Clinical Practicum

Credentials Earned

Provisional CRCST Certification

Career Opportunities

Central Service Technician
Sterile Processing Technician
Instrument Technician

Prerequisites

High school diploma or equivalency (or Adult Diploma Program/dual enrollment)
Pre-entrance online self-assessment test
Background check
Drug screening (must be completed prior to clinical participation)
Required vaccinations

Accreditation

ACCSC

Questions people ask about this program

Is the central service technician program online?: Lectures are held online in the evenings, 4:30 to 8:00 PM, about six hours a week. The 126 required clinical hours are completed in person.
Can I complete this program from outside the Youngstown area?: Not practically. While lectures are online, the program requires 126 in-person clinical hours at partner sites near Youngstown, Ohio, so students need to be able to travel to the area on a regular schedule.
What certification do I earn?: Graduates complete the program with provisional CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) certification. The program is accredited by ACCSC.
How much does central service technician training cost?: Tuition is $2,640 and supplies are $260, for a total of $2,900, plus a $30 application fee. Plan for roughly $860 in additional estimated out-of-pocket costs.
When can I start, and is a placement test required?: There are two starts a year — fall (August through December) and spring (January through May). No TABE test is required; there is a short online self-assessment, plus a background check, drug screening, and required vaccinations.

Still deciding? Request info or call admissions at 330-744-8720.

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