How to Get CBSPD Certified?

CBSPD Examination for Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician
The most basic of medical jobs such as a sterile processing technician would never be expected to be one of the most essential jobs in the medical field, and yet it is. in itself, a sterile processing technician is responsible for performing job duties that guarantee patient safety and the reduction of the spread of illnesses from patient to patient. Although it is considered voluntary it is advisable for a sterile processing technician to be certified through the Certified Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) to become a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician. To be certified through the CBSPD is taken higher into consideration with employers. To become certified is a process requiring both pieces of training for required knowledge for the position, and an examination to determine if an individual is skilled enough to pass as a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician.
Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician Training
As a Sterile Processing Technician, there are specific job duties required of them for the safety of medical patients. In overall a Sterile processing technician prevents the spread of infection by cleaning and sterilizing medical equipment to be distributed to be reused for surgery in hospitals and outpatient surgical facilities. Depending on the department a sterile processing technician works in at in a hospital or outpatient surgical facility they are responsible for decontamination, assembly, sterilization and storage, inspection and maintenance, and distribution of medical equipment (Sterile Processing Career and Education Overview, 2019). in decontaminating medical equipment all medical equipment that is reusable thoroughly decontaminated and inspected before being considered clean. in assembly cleaned medical equipment are packaged into medical trays to later be sterilized, inspected, and have documentation of being cleaned before storage by those working in the department responsible for sterilization and storage of medical equipment. Those working in the inspection and maintenance department ensure all medical equipment is operational, and any that are malfunctioning is replaced. Lastly, after medical equipment has gone through these several departments ensuring their sterilization for them to be reused they are then distributed to the operating rooms where they will be used for surgery. When receiving certification through the CBSPD this reflects that a sterile processing technician has proven in-depth knowledge of their position through professional training. Training that includes a background in microbiology, clinical practicums, and preparation for the CBSPD exam.
Requirement to Take the CBSPD Exam
In order to be eligible for the CBSPD examination, there are certain requirements that must be met. According to CBSPD, in order to be considered eligible to take the Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution certification examination through the Certified Board of for Sterile Processing and Distribution a sterile processing technician must 1)Completion of 12 months of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours performing SPD activities, 2) Completion of an SPD Training Course with a passing grade of 70 or higher, 3) Completion of 6 months (each) of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours in related allied health (clinical healthcare profession) as well as performing SPD activities in SPD, 4) Completion of 12 months of healthcare product sales or service related to the SPD profession. A sterile processing technician need only meet one of four eligibility requirements listed above to take the CBSPD examination. There is also an expected fee of $125 to take this 2hr CBSPD examination containing 100 questions on the topics of Disinfection Procedures, Handling of Instruments, Sterilization, and Ethics. In order to become a certified sterile processing and distribution technician a score of 70 or above is needed. Once certified a certified sterile processing and distribution technician needs to recertify every 5 years to maintain certification.
At a glance, certification can seem unnecessary for the position of sterile processing technician as it is not required. When considered carefully it becomes clear that there are educational and employment benefits in obtaining certification through CBSPD.