Sterile Processing Program Requirements

Admissions requirements will depend on what pathway you choose to complete the Sterile Processing program. Get information on our two pathways and the admissions process for each.

Apprenticeship Pathway

In the apprenticeship pathway, students are chosen and hired by one of our partner employers. During the week, they work full-time at one of the partner employer locations and take classes at FRCC on the weekend.

The apprenticeship program is completed in 15 weeks. For more information about the apprenticeship pathway, including partner employers and signup for the interest list, visit our apprenticeship webpage.

  • FRCC partners with a variety of employers to offer sterile processing apprenticeships. Apprentices follow different requirements depending on where they are hired.
  • This program has two cohort start dates per year: January and August. Employers generally hire 2-3 months ahead of the cohort start dates.

CommonSpirit Apprenticeship Requirements

You will complete all requirements through CommonSpirit, once hired by them as a sterile processing apprentice.

Learn more about apprenticeships

Other Sterile Processing Apprenticeship Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years of age with a current and valid government-issued
    photo identification
    • Driver’s License, Driver’s Permit, Passport, Student visa, Federal ID, state
      ID, etc.
  • Must pass background check and drug screen
  • Minimum level of Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR training with the American Heart
    Association (AHA)
    • BLS will not be accepted by any other organization, such as the American
      Red Cross.
  • Must show proof of immunization for the following diseases:
    • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
      • two-shot series or titer with labs
    • MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
      • two-shot series or titer with labs
    • Hepatitis B
      • two or three-shot series or titer with labs
    • Tetanus (Tdap; Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) within the last 10 years
    • Seasonal Flu shot
    • Negative Tuberculosis (TB) Test within the last 12 months
      • QuantiFERON-Gold (Preferred)
        OR
      • PPD/T-spot
        OR
      • Chest X-ray with a physician’s statement
    • Students must meet all requirements of their assigned Clinical/Internship/Practicum placement site, which may include specific vaccinations and/or other requirements not listed here.

Learn more about apprenticeships

Traditional Pathway

The traditional program is a one-semester program including courses, lecture, lab, internship and exam prep. This pathway has limited spaces, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The two cohort start dates per year are in January and August.

See Program Overview

Traditional Pathway Steps to Apply

Step 1: Apply to FRCC

Apply to become a student at FRCC. Choose AA in Health Sciences as your major.

Apply to FRCC

Step 2: Complete Program Interest Form

Completing a program interest form will let us know you're interested in beginning the pre-registration process. Once submitted, you will receive the following materials:

  • Program outline
  • Pre-registration link to begin Part One of the process
  • SPI Student Handbook
  • SP Clinical Packet 1
  • Access to our Student Information PowerPoint

Program Interest Form

Step 3: Preregistration

  1. Once you've completed Steps 1-3, you will receive a preregistration packet along with a link to upload your documentation.

    As part of this step, you will need to upload immunization documentation by the immunization documentation deadline:
    • Applications completed from August to mid-November will be ready to register
      for the Spring Semester
    • Applications completed from March to mid-June will be ready for the Fall
      semester
    • Exact deadline dates will appear in the preregistration packet.
  2.  Your documentation will be reviewed and once approved, you will receive an email from our Clinical Coordinator, Tonja Akers that will:
    • Confirm your documentation
    • Include links for you to complete your next steps, including a background check and drug test

 

Step 4: Complete Background Check & Drug Test

Using the links instructions sent to you by our Clinical Coordinator, you will need to complete a background check and drug test. This is due two weeks after the immunization documentation deadline (found in Step 3).

Step 5: Register for Classes

Once all the steps above are completed you will receive a welcome email with registration codes. These will be used to register for the program.

Traditional Pathway Information and Q&A

What documents must be attached to the preregistration form?

  • Immunization Record
  • Release of Medical Record 
  • Centura Form 
  • A valid government-issued photo ID
  • BLS with AHA (American Heart Association)
  • Background Check
  • Proof of Drug Screen

Note: you must complete the program interest form in order to receive your preregistration packet and gain access to the preregistration form.

What does this program involve?

This is a one-semester program which includes the following:

  • Lecture
  • Lab
  • Internship (400 hours of SPD experience at a hospital facility)
  • Exam Prep Course

What immunizations or other requirements are required for this program

  • Must be at least 18 years of age with a current and valid government-issued
    photo identification
    • Driver’s License, Driver’s Permit, Passport, Student visa, Federal ID, state
      ID, etc.
  • Must pass background check and drug screen ($76.99 cost)
  • Minimum level of Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR training with the American Heart
    Association (AHA)
    • BLS will not be accepted by any other organization, such as the American
      Red Cross.
  • Must show proof of immunization for the following diseases:
    • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
      • two-shot series or titer with labs
    • MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
      • two-shot series or titer with labs
    • Hepatitis B
      • two or three-shot series or titer with labs
    • Tetanus (Tdap; Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) within the last 10 years
    • Seasonal Flu shot
    • Negative Tuberculosis (TB) Test within the last 12 months
      • QuantiFERON-Gold (Preferred)
        OR
      • PPD/T-spot
        OR
      • Chest X-ray with a physician’s statement
    • Students must meet all requirements of their assigned Clinical/Internship/Practicum placement site, which may include specific vaccinations and/or other requirements not listed here.

Note: after completing the program interest form, you must upload immunization and other requirement documents to the preregistration form.

When are the classes?

Classes are on Sundays at St. Anthony’s North Hospital in Westminster, CO

  • These are hybrid classes: in-person classes all day combined with as assignments to be completed online as well

What's next after completion of the program?

  • Upon completion of the program with a 70% or higher, you will earn your Sterile Processing Certificate from Front Range Community College. 
  • You will then sit for your Certification Exam through HSPA to become a CRCST. 

 

Questions?

Feel free to reach out to our team.
Program Director
Saundra Block