Sterile Processing Departments (SPD) and Medical Device Reprocessing Departments (MDRD) have been facing increasing demands, with more complex medical devices requiring precise sterilization, stricter compliance standards, and rising pressures to ensure patient safety.
Many departments are struggling to keep up with these evolving challenges, which can impact overall hospital efficiency and outcomes.
The constant need to stay updated on the latest sterilization techniques, adapt to new technologies, and maintain certification can feel overwhelming for SPD professionals. With the rapid pace of change, outdated equipment and limited training resources can create bottlenecks in sterile processing workflows, putting patient safety and operational efficiency at risk.
Despite these challenges, the SPD market is on the cusp of a positive transformation. Advancements in sterilization technology, automation, and industry-specific education are opening doors for professionals to streamline their workflows and enhance patient outcomes.
Many organizations are now offering tailored training programs, making it easier than ever to stay certified, learn cutting-edge techniques, and adopt new technologies.
By staying proactive, SPD teams can turn these challenges into opportunities, leading the way in improving healthcare safety and efficiency.
A Note on Continuing Education for SPD and MDRD
Continuing education is really crucial for professionals in the SPD and MDRD. These roles play a direct part in ensuring that surgical instruments and medical devices are properly cleaned, sterilized, and safe for use, which is critical for patient safety. Without keeping up-to-date with the latest techniques, best practices, and industry standards, even small mistakes in sterilization could lead to serious complications like infections.
In terms of career advancement, staying educated and certified is key. Certification, like the CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician), often requires continuing education credits to maintain, but beyond just the requirement, it sets you apart.
As you keep learning, you become more knowledgeable about new technologies and evolving processes, which makes you more valuable to your department. Employers look for those who are not only skilled but proactive in improving themselves, and that could mean more opportunities for promotion or even specialization in certain aspects of the field.
Staying informed about industry updates is another big one. The healthcare industry changes fast, especially with the introduction of new medical devices and evolving standards around sterilization and safety protocols. Being on top of these changes ensures that you comply with regulations and helps your department avoid penalties or even shutdowns due to non-compliance. Plus, being knowledgeable about the latest trends can make your job more efficient and effective, allowing you to contribute to the overall improvement of processes in your department.
When it comes to resources, there are plenty of professional organizations like the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), formerly the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) and the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) that offer courses, certifications, and updates. Many employers also provide access to ongoing training, whether it’s through webinars, in-person workshops, or partnerships with educational institutions. Strategies for professional development often involve setting personal goals, like getting certified or attending annual conferences, but also making a habit of staying curious and asking questions about how to do things better.
In short, continuing education helps you do your job better, keeps patients safe, and opens up new doors in your career, while staying compliant with industry regulations.
Let’s look at 10 ways SPDs and MDRDs can re-up their continuing education certification and further their careers.
1. Understanding SPDs and MDRDs Certification Requirements and Renewal Processes
Understanding certification requirements and renewal processes is key for anyone working in SPD and MDRD. Basic certifications, like CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution) and HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association) certifications, are often the first step, but there are advanced options that can help you specialize further or move into leadership roles. For example, you might pursue a Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) or a Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) certification through HSPA.
Each certification has its own requirements. For basic roles, you may need a high school diploma and a certain number of hours of hands-on experience before qualifying for the exam. Advanced certifications usually require current certification and additional experience or coursework.
Renewal typically involves earning continuing education units (CEUs). For CBSPD, for instance, you need to submit 12 CEUs every five years, while HSPA requires 36 CEUs over the same period. Staying on top of these deadlines is key to maintaining your status.
Who Sets the Standards?
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA)—(now the CSA Group) sets guidelines for sterile processing and reprocessing in Canada, but it doesn’t offer certifications directly. Instead, many SPD and MDRD professionals in Canada look to CSA standards as a benchmark for quality and compliance in their departments. It’s important for professionals in Canada to be familiar with these standards as they play a significant role in regulatory compliance. Certifications like CBSPD or HSPA are often pursued alongside adhering to CSA standards.
So while the CSA doesn’t provide certification itself, its standards form the foundation for reprocessing practices, making it essential for anyone in the field to stay updated.
2. Exploring SPDs and MDRDs Career Advancement Opportunities
Certifications are a powerful tool for career growth in the SPD/MDRD field. By earning and maintaining certifications like the CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or advanced ones like the Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS), you’re not only proving your skills but also showing a commitment to staying current. This can open doors to leadership positions, specialized roles, or even teaching opportunities in the field.
A Path to Management
Certifications can significantly impact your career trajectory in the SPD/MDRD field. For example, earning advanced certifications such as the Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) or Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) can qualify you for leadership roles like Sterile Processing Manager or Supervisor. These roles often involve overseeing teams, managing compliance with industry standards, and improving department workflows.
Develop a Speciality
Beyond management, certifications can also lead to more specialized roles. For instance, you might focus on quality assurance, ensuring that sterilization procedures meet stringent safety guidelines, or become a Technical Specialist who troubleshoots equipment and handles more complex sterilization processes. As new technologies and methods emerge in the field, specialists with advanced skills will be in high demand.
Teaching and Training
Additionally, many certified professionals move into teaching or training roles. This might include working as an SPD Educator for a hospital or healthcare system, where you’d train new technicians on best practices, or even developing courses for certification programs like CBSPD or HSPA. Sharing your knowledge and expertise helps raise the overall quality of sterile processing in healthcare, which is essential for patient safety.
Each of these paths—whether management, specialization, or education—offers opportunities for career growth, increased responsibility, and higher pay, making certifications a valuable investment in your future.
Looking to the Future
As the healthcare industry evolves, new roles are emerging, such as Sterile Processing Managers and Educators, focusing on training the next generation of technicians.
Additionally, trends like automation in reprocessing, data-driven sterilization practices, and new sterilization technologies are shaping the future of SPD and MDRD. By staying certified and continuing your education, you’ll be well-positioned to move into these advanced or specialized roles.
3. Enroll in Online Courses for SPDs and MDRDs
Enrolling in online courses is a great way for SPD/MDRD professionals to continue their education without needing to attend in-person classes. The flexibility and accessibility of these courses make it easy to fit learning into a busy work schedule. Online platforms allow you to study at your own pace, and many offer resources like recorded lectures, downloadable materials, and interactive assessments, making it easier to absorb and apply new information.
However, it’s important to choose accredited course providers. This ensures that the content meets industry standards and that any certifications or credits you earn will be recognized by employers and relevant certification boards like CBSPD or HSPA. Accreditation guarantees that the course will provide the quality education needed to help advance your career and stay compliant with industry standards.
Some of the top online course providers include:
- Beyond Clean: Known for offering advanced courses on sterile processing best practices and innovation in the field.
- Pure Processing: Focuses on improving reprocessing workflows and offers training on equipment and techniques.
- HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association): Provides comprehensive certification and education options for sterile processing professionals.
- MDRAO (Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario): Offers education and certification, primarily for Canadian professionals, in line with CSA standards.
Each of these providers offers a range of courses designed to meet various educational needs, whether you’re just starting in the field or looking to advance your expertise.
4. Attend SPD and MDRD Industry Conferences and Workshops
In-person networking and hands-on learning are incredibly valuable for SPD/MDRD professionals because they provide experiences that online learning simply can’t match.
When you attend a workshop or conference, you’re not just learning new skills—you’re also connecting with other professionals in the field, sharing insights, and staying on top of emerging trends and technologies.
Hands-on learning, like practicing new sterilization techniques or using advanced equipment in a live setting, helps reinforce your knowledge in ways that theory alone can’t.
Networking at these events can lead to career growth by helping you build relationships with industry leaders, potential mentors, and even future employers. It’s also a great way to exchange best practices and learn how others are handling the same challenges you face in your department.
Here are some key upcoming conferences and workshops to consider:
- HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association): One of the largest conferences for sterile processing professionals, offering a range of workshops, certifications, and networking events.
- CAMDR (Canadian Association of Medical Device Reprocessing): Focuses on the Canadian market, aligning with CSA standards, and provides hands-on training and educational sessions tailored for MDRD professionals in Canada.
- IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control Canada): Offers workshops and sessions on infection prevention, an essential part of ensuring sterilization protocols in hospitals are up to date.
- ORNAC (Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada): While focused on operating room nurses, it offers relevant insights into how sterile processing intersects with surgical care.
- AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses): A U.S.-based organization that hosts large-scale events covering all aspects of perioperative care, including sterilization processes.
- CSGNA (Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates): Specializes in gastroenterology reprocessing standards and techniques, offering workshops relevant to SPD professionals handling GI equipment.
- SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates): A U.S. counterpart to CSGNA, offering similar training and certifications focused on GI equipment reprocessing.
Attending these events not only strengthens your technical skills through workshops but also enhances your professional network, allowing you to stay connected with the broader industry.
5. Participate in Webinars Focused on SPDs and MDRDs
Participating in webinars is a convenient and affordable way to stay updated on the latest trends, techniques, and technologies in the SPD/MDRD field. Webinars allow you to access expert knowledge and continuing education without having to travel or take significant time off work. They’re typically shorter than in-person workshops, but still pack a lot of valuable information, especially if you’re looking to stay current with industry updates or fulfill certification requirements.
The flexibility of webinars means you can learn from the comfort of your own home or workplace, often with the added benefit of being able to ask questions in real-time or participate in discussions with the presenters and other attendees. Webinars can be live or recorded, so if you can’t make a live session, you can often access it later on-demand.
Here are some recommended providers for SPD/MDRD-related webinars:
- HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association): HSPA regularly offers webinars on various topics, from basic sterilization practices to advanced techniques and emerging technologies. These webinars are often led by industry experts and count toward continuing education credits.
- C.E. Approved Manufacturer’s Webinars: Many equipment and device manufacturers offer continuing education (C.E.)-approved webinars and podcasts as a way to educate users on proper usage, maintenance, and best practices for their products. These sessions are a great way to learn about specific tools you use on the job while earning credits for certification renewal.
By taking advantage of these webinars, you can stay informed, improve your skills, and keep up with industry standards, all without breaking the bank or requiring a large time commitment.
6. Subscribe to Industry Publications for SPDs and MDRDs
Subscribing to industry publications is one of the best ways to stay updated on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in SPD/MDRD. These publications offer insights from industry leaders, research findings, and updates on evolving standards, helping you stay ahead in your field. By regularly reading them, you’ll not only keep your knowledge current but also be able to anticipate changes in best practices or regulations that could impact your work.
Here are some suggested publications and journals that are especially valuable:
- Infection Control Today: A leading source for articles and studies on infection prevention, sterile processing, and health care safety. It often covers new technologies and practices relevant to SPD/MDRD professionals.
- AORN Journal: While focused on perioperative nursing, this journal includes valuable content about surgical instruments, sterile processing, and cross-functional team collaboration in hospitals.
- ANSI/AAMI: The American National Standards Institute and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation offer publications focused on sterilization standards, guidelines, and new regulations, which are critical for ensuring compliance.
- IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control Canada): This publication covers infection prevention topics specific to Canada, making it especially useful for professionals working with Canadian standards and regulations.
- SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates) and CSGNA (Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates): Both organizations provide specialized content related to gastroenterology equipment reprocessing, offering insights that are crucial for SPD professionals working in GI labs.
By keeping up with these publications, you’ll stay informed on the latest research, policy updates, and innovations, all of which can improve your daily practices and advance your career.
7. Join Professional Associations
Joining professional associations offers numerous benefits, especially in fields like SPD/MDRD, where networking, certifications, and resources are essential for career growth. Being part of these organizations not only connects you with peers and industry leaders but also gives you access to exclusive educational resources, workshops, and conferences. Many associations also offer certification programs or help you maintain your current credentials with continuing education opportunities.
Here are some notable professional associations you should consider:
- AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation): A key organization focused on the development of standards for sterilization and medical devices. Membership gives access to cutting-edge research, guidelines, and certifications.
- SGNA (Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates) and CSGNA (Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates): Both focus on best practices for reprocessing GI equipment, offering specialized training and certification.
- HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association): One of the largest organizations for sterile processing professionals, offering certifications, webinars, and conferences tailored to SPD/MDRD roles.
- AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses): Though focused on perioperative nursing, AORN is a great resource for understanding how sterile processing ties into surgical care and infection control.
- ORNAC (Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada): Offers Canadian-based content and resources with a focus on the operating room, helping MDRD professionals align with best practices in surgical environments.
- IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control Canada): A Canadian association that focuses on infection prevention, providing access to valuable guidelines, courses, and networking opportunities with experts in infection control.
Joining these associations provides not only a community of professionals to learn from but also the certifications and education you need to stay competitive in your field.
8. Engage in Peer-to-Peer Learning
Engaging in peer-to-peer learning can be incredibly valuable for SPD/MDRD professionals. Mentoring and community knowledge sharing allow you to learn directly from the experiences of others in the field, helping you gain practical insights, solve complex problems, and stay updated on best practices. It also fosters a sense of community, where you can ask questions, share successes, and even mentor those newer to the field.
Online forums and discussion groups are great places to participate in this kind of learning. For example, the Beyond Clean Community offers a platform specifically designed for sterile processing professionals to discuss challenges, share knowledge, and keep up with industry trends. Another good option is joining LinkedIn Groups for SPDs/MDRDs, where you can engage in conversations with professionals around the world. These groups are great for networking, sharing resources, and keeping your skills sharp through peer discussions.
By regularly participating in these communities, you can continuously learn, stay connected, and find solutions to real-world problems in sterile processing.
9. Utilize Employer-Sponsored Training Programs
Utilizing employer-sponsored training programs is an excellent way to advance your skills without any out-of-pocket cost. Many healthcare organizations offer in-house training and development opportunities tailored to the needs of their SPD/MDRD teams. These programs often focus on the latest sterilization techniques, equipment usage, compliance standards, and safety protocols. Taking full advantage of these resources can help you stay ahead in your career and ensure that you’re working in line with the most current industry standards.
It’s worth inquiring with your employer about what training options they offer. Whether it’s access to workshops, certifications, or even paid time for attending conferences, many organizations are willing to invest in their employees’ development. By showing interest in these opportunities, you demonstrate a commitment to your role and your department’s success, which can also help with career advancement. Always ask about available training resources—they’re there to help you grow.
10. Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
Mentorship and networking opportunities are invaluable for SPD/MDRD professionals looking to grow in their careers. Finding a mentor can provide personalized guidance, helping you navigate challenges and offering advice based on real-world experience. Mentors can introduce you to best practices, new technologies, or even help with career planning. Joining study groups is another way to build knowledge and accountability as you work toward certifications or develop new skills.
Networking through professional associations and conferences is also crucial. These events bring together industry experts and peers, giving you the chance to connect, share experiences, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends. Associations like HSPA, AAMI, and IPAC frequently offer networking sessions, while conferences often have dedicated events for meeting like-minded professionals. Building these connections not only helps you learn from others but can also open doors to new opportunities in your career.
By actively seeking out mentors and networking, you’re setting yourself up for continuous learning and long-term growth in the field.