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How Can We Help You Become Certified?

IAHCSMM is dedicated to providing education and the tools necessary for CS personnel to become certified in their chosen field. We’re here to help, and in this How Can We Help section, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on the process, from choosing the right certification up to what happens after the exam. If you have further questions, please also reference our FAQ section on the website.

Click here to download a pdf of these pages.

Choose The Right Certificationsealman magnify

  1. Which certification is right for you?
    IAHCSMM offers several different certification options, so please choose the one that meets your needs.

    The first certification offered is the Certified and Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST). This is the core certification that tests the basic knowledge and skill levels of those working directly within a Central Service or Sterile Processing Department. A current CRCST certification is required prior to obtaining any of our other certifications. You can prepare for this exam by studying from the Central Service Technical Training 7th Edition Text or Boxed Course. The CRCST certification requires 400 Hours of Hands-On Experience either prior to the test or within 6 months of successfully passing the exam, and will be testing your proficiency in two general categories:

General CS Knowledge

  • Introduction to Central Service
  • Medical Terminology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Regulations and Standards
  • Tools for Cleaning
  • Surgical Instrumentation
  • Complex Surgical Instruments
  • Inventory Management
  • Management of Patient Care Equipment
  • Tracking Systems
  • Quality Assurance
  • Safety
  • Human Relations Skills
  • Ambulatory Surgery and Related Practices

Infection Control

  • Microbiology
  • Infection Control
  • Decontamination (Point of Use Prep and Transport)
  • Cleaning and Decontamination
  • Disinfection
  • Sterile Packaging and Storage
  • Point of Use Processing
  • High Temperature Sterilization
  • Low Temperature Sterilization

Additional certifications are the Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) and Certified in Healthcare Leadership (CHL). Although there is no set order set in which to achieve these additional certifications, current CRCST certification is a requirement before you can take the CIS or the CHL exam.

The CIS certification tests the knowledge and recognition of medical instruments, as well as reviews instrumentation practice skills. To prepare for this certification, the CIS course is recommended, which includes the Instrumentation Resource Course workbook and the Inspecting Surgical Instruments guidebook. The course will outline instrument handling practices from cleaning to inspection and assembly.

The CHL certification prepares CS professionals for management and supervisory responsibilities. To prepare for this certification, we recommend studying from the Supervision Principles: Leadership Strategies for Healthcare Facilities, 2nd Edition text or boxed course.

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