sterile processing
By Julie E . Williamson
Advanced Certification Can Enhance Quality , Safety and Your Career
Attaining additional certifications adds to their knowledge and skill set and in doing so , shifts the focus from having a job — with is a temporary mindset — to having a career , which is more of a lifelong philosophy .”
The number of individuals who currently hold the
Certified Registered Central Service Technician ( CRCST ) designation through the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management ( IAHCSMM ) currently tops 34,800 , and thousands more have chosen to advance beyond their CRCST by becoming a certified instrument specialist ( CIS ), certified healthcare leader ( CHL ) and / or certified endoscope reprocessor ( CER ). In fact , at the time of this writing , nearly 1,400 have attained three IAHCSMM certifications ( known as Triple Crown ) and nearly 500 more have earned all four IAHCSMM certifications ( Golden Crown ).
Many sterile processing ( SP ) professionals who have earned multiple certifications say they have seen their confidence , credibility and skill sets soar — and many also report that the additional certifications have helped them advance their professionalism and enjoy new career growth opportunities .
“ One of the greatest gifts a sterile processing professional can give him or herself is a rewarding career ,” says IAHCSMM education director Natalie Lind , CRCST , CHL , FCS . “ Attaining additional certifications adds to their knowledge and skill set and in doing so , shifts the focus from having a job — with is a temporary mindset — to having a career , which is more of a lifelong philosophy .”
Laying the foundation Attaining the foundational CRCST certification is a prerequisite before going on to earn the CIS and
CHL designations ; the CER , however , can be attained as a standalone certification . Whichever certifications an individual holds , many agree that the primary goal of attaining the professional distinction is to improve service excellence , safety and quality through broader knowledge and deeper understanding and skill development .
“ Sometimes , I think we lose sight of the real goal of attaining certification ,” notes Lind . “ It ’ s a learning process designed to develop and enhance our skills and knowledge . Understanding the rationale for what we do makes us more confident and able to grow within the profession .”
Certification also helps ensure SP professionals stay current with best practices , standards and regulations — and for some , the decision to seek and attain advanced certifications is a deeply personal one , rooted in the desire to serve to one ’ s highest capability in the name of quality care and patient safety .
“ I have challenged myself to be the best advocate for the patient I can . This is personal for me , not just a job ,” says Jan Prudent , BA , CRCST , CIS , CHL , CFER , sterile processing manager at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center . She explained that to be truly successful in her role , she needed to learn the intricacies surrounding the services she and her team provided to their healthcare customers , and that meant also understanding the processes and reasons why the processes and steps were so important .
Don ’ t Let Nerves Hold You Back ! Try These Exam Prep Tips
➊ Don ’ t procrastinate on studying . There are no magic study guides and no shortcuts to success , reminded IAHCSMM education director , Natalie Lind , CRCST , CHL , FCS . “ When I decide to seek CRCST certification , I made the mistake of thinking I knew everything and would not need to study . I quickly discovered that even though I was proficient in the tasks I performed as a technician , I wasn ’ t as knowledgeable in the science behind them . In other words , I knew how , but I didn ’ t know why . Knowing why things were done a specific way helped me become a better technician .”
➋ When reading every test question , think back about how things are done in the department . “ Think about how
we promote doing things the right way and according to the standards ,” says Tony Thurmond , CRCST , CIS , CHL , sterile processing manager for Dayton Children ’ s Hospital , and IAHCSMM past-president . “ If you can reflect on those thoughts and picture in your head how you handle the situation , you will usually know the right answer .”
➌ Don ’ t be afraid of failure . For some , test taking doesn ’ t come easily and it ’ s possible that even with many hours of studying , a person won ’ t pass the exam on the first try . Keep trying and ask your manager , colleague , friend or family member to help you prepare . The hard work will pay off , your confidence will soar , and you ’ ll pave the way for even more professional growth .
www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • march 2021
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