Minnesota is the seventh state to require Sterile Processing Technicians to get certified, following laws passed in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Tennessee between 2013 and 2022. Only about 70% of Sterile Processing Technicians nationally are certified, and clearly, there’s a trend at the state level to close that gap.
For healthcare employers in Minnesota and the other six states, having Sterile Processing Technicians who are certified has gone from a best practice to a necessity. Even in states without the requirement, having certified allied healthcare professionals is still the stated preference by employers.
For instance, a 2024 survey by the National Healthcareer Association found 83% of allied healthcare employers said they would choose a certified candidate over an uncertified candidate.
Protecting patient safety and infection control has become an area of increased focus in healthcare recently. For example, The Leapfrog Group found 85% of hospitals have gotten better at preventing at least one dangerous healthcare-acquired infection post-COVID. Standardizing the certification requirement for Sterile Processing Technicians is a complementary step in reducing the risk of patients acquiring healthcare-acquired infections.
Whether dictated by state law or as a self-imposed initiative to improve quality of care, all healthcare employers benefit from ensuring Sterile Processing Technicians have the same comprehensive understanding of safety best practices.
What You Need To Know About Minnesota Sterile Processing Technician Certification
Employees hired as Sterile Processing Technicians in Minnesota starting in 2028 will have two years from their start date to complete certification for one of the following credentials: CRCST, CSPDT, CER, or CFER.
Sterile Processing Technicians hired by their current employer prior to 2028 won’t be subject to the certification requirement, but will if they change employers. All practicing central service technicians in Minnesota going forward, regardless of their certification status, are required to complete 10 hours annually of continued education.
Why Employers Should Certify Sterile Processing Technicians through MedCerts
For Minnesota healthcare providers looking for the most efficient way to get current and future Sterile Processing Technicians certified, the MedCerts’ Sterile Processing Technician training program is a turnkey solution. Established in 2022, the 14-week online program is already fully compliant with the new Minnesota requirements, offering CRCST certification through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.
The MedCerts Sterile Processing Technician program features a combination of on-demand video lectures, 3-D animation and illustrations and interactive quizzes. The program teaches the proper way to clean, inspect, test, sterilize, store and deliver devices needed for surgery in a healthcare facility.
Areas of emphasis include central service workflow processes, decontamination, infection control, PPE, teaching proper documentation and discussing compliance standards. The clinical component is administered by the employer in coordination with MedCerts, as students must complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a Central Services department.
The program costs $4,000 per learner, and is hyper-focused on preparing students for the CRCST certification exam, combining compliance-focused content with immersive, interactive training to build workforce skills.
A Proven Track Record With Employers
The flexible and scalable Sterile Processing Technician program is extremely effective for healthcare employers needing to certify allied health professionals in a short amount of time. For example, San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center (SLV) is a 40-bed hospital in Alamosa, Colorado, which, due to its rural location, was having a hard time retaining allied health technicians.
SLV decided to address the problem by partnering with MedCerts to offer two certification training programs: Surgical Technologist and Sterile Processing Technician. They recruited from a pool of recent high school graduates and existing employees in non-clinical roles. In exchange for SLV fully subsidizing tuition, enrollees agreed to work at SLV for a period of at least two years.
In addition to web-based on-demand instruction, there was 3X a week on-the-job clinical training at SLV.
At the end of the program, there was a 100% completion rate, with all enrollees getting their certification. Four students became Surgical Technologists, while 3 earned Sterile Processing Technician certification. All graduates still work at SLV.
Conclusion
Minnesota’s new Central Service Technician Law should be viewed as an opportunity, not a challenge. By partnering with MedCerts, there’s a fast and proven way to get employees proper Sterile Processing Technician certification. That’s a benefit both in Minnesota and for any healthcare employer looking to improve patient safety and infection prevention in a surgical environment.
Want more information about how MedCerts Partner Solutions can help with Sterile Processing Technician certification? Contact us at [email protected] today to learn more!
