Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences
Central sterilization tech
Description
A central sterilization technician works in medical settings to help eliminate infections, clean tools for surgeries and maintain supplies. A variety of workplace settings are available, including hospitals, surgical centers, clinics and dental offices.
Major coursework
- Principles of biomedical science
- Human body systems
- Practicum in health science
- Anatomy and physiology
Certifications
- OSHA, BLS/CPR, sterile processing and distribution
Sample program
The sample below represents an idealized scenario. Progression plans are customized for each student and are adapted for prior coursework and individual strengths and interests.
Ninth grade
| First semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| Honors English I | 0 |
| Honors Algebra I | 0 |
| Honors biology | 0 |
| A.P. human geography | 0 |
| Honors principles of biomedical science¹ | 0 |
| Honors principles of health science¹ | 0 |
| Beginning Spanish I (SPAN 1411)² | 4 |
| Learning framework (EDUC 1300)² | 3 |
| 7 |
| Second semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| Honors English I | 0 |
| Honors Algebra I | 0 |
| Honors biology | 0 |
| A.P. human geography | 0 |
| Honors principles of biomedical science¹ | 0 |
| Honors principles of health science¹ | 0 |
| Beginning Spanish II (SPAN 1412)² | 4 |
| Arts appreciation (ARTS 1301)² | 3 |
| 7 |
Tenth grade
| First semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| Honors English II | 0 |
| Honors Geometry I | 0 |
| OnRamps chemistry | 0 or 4 |
| World Civilizations I (HIST 2321)² | 3 |
| Honors human body systems¹ | 0 |
| Skill-based lifetime activities | 0 |
| Texas government (GOVT 2306)² | 3 |
| Elective | 0-3 |
| 6+ |
| Second semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| Honors English II | 0 |
| Honors Geometry I | 0 |
| OnRamps chemistry | 0 or 4 |
| World Civilizations II (HIST 2322)² | 3 |
| Honors human body systems¹ | 0 |
| Introduction to physical fitness and wellness (KINE 1164)² | 1 |
| Introduction to speech communication (SPCH 1311)² | 3 |
| Elective | 0-3 |
| 7+ |
Eleventh grade
| First semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| Composition I (ENGL 1301)² | 3 |
| OnRamps college algebra | 0 or 3 |
| A.P. physics | 0 |
| United States History I (HIST 1301)² | 3 |
| Honors Practicum in Health Science I: general clinical skills¹, ³ | 0 |
| Honors pathopsyiology | 0 |
| Elective | 0-3 |
| 6+ |
| Second semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| Composition II (ENGL 1302)² | 3 |
| OnRamps college algebra | 0 or 3 |
| A.P. physics | 0 |
| United States History II (HIST 1302)² | 3 |
| Honors Practicum in Health Science I: general clinical skills¹, ³ | 0 |
| Honors pathopsyiology | 0 |
| Elective | 0-3 |
| 6+ |
Twelfth grade
| Summer and first semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| American Literature I (ENGL 2327)² | 3 |
| Pre-calculus math (MATH 2412)², ³ | 4 |
| Dual-credit science course², ³ | 4 |
| Principles of macroeconomics (ECON 2301)² | 3 |
| Central Sterile Processing I (HPRS 1470)² | 4 |
| Central Sterile Processing II (HPRS 1370)² | 3 |
| 21 |
Note: Summer courses before the 12th-grade year are required to stay below the maximum number of college hours allowed by TCC. The number of college hours listed reflects the summer before 12th grade and the fall semester combined.
| Second semester | College hours |
|---|---|
| Technical and business writing (ENGL 2311)² | 3 |
|
Calculus I (MATH 2413)², ³ |
4 |
| Dual-credit science course², ³ | 4 |
| Federal government (GOVT 2305)² | 3 |
| Central Sterile Processing III (HPRS 1471)², ³ | 4 |
| 18 |
Footnotes
¹ CTE pathway course | ² Dual-credit course | ³ Course meets for two periods