Sterile Processing Training & Compliance
Pre-placement training and competency framework for Charisma SPD sterile processing personnel. Requirements are assigned according to job scope, device type, equipment, chemical exposure, and the receiving facility’s policies and manufacturer instructions for use.
Core Pre-Start Requirements
- Infection Prevention & Standard Precautions — required before placement.
- Bloodborne Pathogens & Exposure Control — required for personnel with occupational exposure; initial training and at least annual retraining under OSHA.
- PPE, Sharps Safety & Exposure Reporting — based on occupational exposure.
- Hand Hygiene — required before placement and reinforced by facility policy.
- Hazard Communication / SDS — required when handling cleaning agents, disinfectants, sterilants, enzymatic products, or other hazardous chemicals.
- HIPAA, Confidentiality & Professional Conduct — Charisma pre-start requirement.
- Emergency / Fire Safety & Workplace Injury Reporting — Charisma orientation plus facility-specific emergency procedures.
Sterile Processing Technician
Role-specific competency areas
- Point-of-Use Treatment & Safe Transport — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Decontamination Workflow & Cleaning — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Inspection, Testing, Assembly & Set Verification — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Packaging, Labeling & Sterile Barrier Systems — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Sterilization Cycle Selection & Load Preparation — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Biological, Chemical & Mechanical Monitoring — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Load Release, Recall & Documentation — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Storage, Distribution & Event-Related Sterility — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Instrument Tracking & Traceability — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
- Manufacturer IFUs & Device-Specific Processing — required Sterile Processing orientation with tracked completion.
Endoscope Reprocessing
Additional competency areas
- Pre-Cleaning, Leak Testing & Manual Cleaning — required Endoscope Reprocessing orientation with tracked completion.
- High-level disinfection or sterilization based on device classification and manufacturer IFU.
- AER Setup, HLD & Cycle Verification — required Endoscope Reprocessing orientation with tracked completion.
- HLD Chemistry Monitoring & Minimum Effective Concentration — required Endoscope Reprocessing orientation with tracked completion.
- Drying, Storage & Transport — required Endoscope Reprocessing orientation with tracked completion.
- Endoscope & Procedure Traceability — required Endoscope Reprocessing orientation with tracked completion.
- Chemical exposure controls, ventilation, PPE, spill response, and emergency procedures.
- Device-specific competency validation at orientation and regularly thereafter.
Competency Validation Before Independent Work
Charisma should not treat completion of an online module alone as proof of technical competency. Before independent assignment, the worker should have applicable competency validated through documentation, direct observation, return demonstration, or facility-approved assessment.
CDC guidance recommends hands-on training, supervision until competency is documented, competency testing at the beginning of employment and regularly thereafter, and regular review of written reprocessing instructions against current manufacturer instructions and evidence-based guidance.
Conditional / Facility-Specific Requirements
- Facility sterilizer and washer competencies — model and cycle specific.
- Low-temperature sterilization — only when used by the assignment site.
- HLD chemical-specific training — based on products and equipment in use.
- Loaner instrumentation workflow — where applicable.
- Implant load monitoring / release processes — according to facility policy and applicable standards.
- Robotic, ophthalmic, orthopedic, power equipment, flexible scopes, or specialty devices — device and IFU specific.
- Respiratory protection — when job duties require use of a tight-fitting respirator.
- Facility orientation — department layout, dirty-to-clean workflow, emergency procedures, documentation, escalation, quality systems, and local policies.
Clearance Workflow
1. Role identified → SPD Technician, Endoscope Reprocessor, or other instrument-processing role.
2. Credentials and experience reviewed → certifications and experience matched to client requirements.
3. Core training completed → infection prevention, BBP, PPE, chemical safety, confidentiality, and workplace safety.
4. Technical competencies verified → only for the equipment and processes the worker will perform.
5. Facility orientation completed → local IFUs, equipment, policies, tracking system, quality controls, and escalation pathways.
6. Ready for Placement → after all applicable items are cleared.
Regulatory & Practice References
New York State Department of Health: Key Infection Control Practices
CDC: Disinfection and Sterilization Recommendations
CDC: Sterilizing Practices
OSHA: Bloodborne Pathogens
Facility policy, current manufacturer IFUs, applicable accreditation requirements, and professional standards may add requirements beyond this framework.