SANBORN WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Sterile Processing Technician — An 88‑Hour, Hands‑On Route to Certification from Sanborn to Mercy Hospital
An 88‑hour vocational course from Niagara County Community College that teaches cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments, prepares students for CBSPD certification, and includes clinical time at Mercy Hospital.
Sterile Processing Technician — An 88‑Hour, Hands‑On Route to Certification from Sanborn to Mercy Hospital.
Join an 88‑hour Sterile Processing Technician course in Sanborn that lays out the technical foundations of instrument decontamination, sterilization, and redistribution—skills that keep operating rooms running and patients safe—while combining classroom instruction with clinical practice at Mercy Hospital.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A direct path to in‑demand jobs and certification
This short‑term vocational program readies students for diverse roles across hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and labs and prepares candidates for the CBSPD Sterile Processing Technician exam, expanding employment opportunities in the community.
Hands‑on clinical training at Mercy Hospital
Classroom lessons are reinforced with clinical sessions at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, where students apply cleaning, sanitizing, and instrument prep techniques in a real hospital environment, alternating Saturday clinical shifts between student groups.
Instrument processing that matters to patient safety
Students learn the detailed, dependable work of cleaning and sanitizing surgical instruments so they can be safely reused—an essential, behind‑the‑scenes role in patient care and infection prevention.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
The program unfolds as a concentrated mix of evening classroom sessions, live Zoom instruction, and morning clinical rotations—an applied learning arc designed to move a student from foundational knowledge to hands‑on competence in 88 hours of instruction.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who the course is built for—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Textbooks required for the course must be purchased through the certifying board website (options include the Basics of Sterile Processing 7th Edition and the CBSPD Study Guide 11th Edition); optional surgical instrument flashcards are also recommended.
Tuition does not include textbook or exam fees; payment must be made in full at registration (payment plans are not accepted).
Students must comply with all vaccination policies required by the clinical site; flu vaccination is required to participate in the course.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the course?
The total course is 88 hours.
What are the attendance and grade requirements?
Students must have 90% attendance and a minimum C average to obtain the certificate.
Where and when do classes meet?
Classroom instruction meets on campus Mondays in NCCC Room E‑106 and live Zoom instruction on Wednesdays (subject to change); clinical meets at Mercy Hospital on Saturdays mornings with students alternating Saturdays.
Do I need specific vaccinations to participate?
Yes. You must follow all vaccination policies required by the clinical site; flu vaccination is required.
Are textbooks and certification fees included in tuition?
No. Tuition does not include the cost of textbooks and exam fees; textbooks must be purchased through the certifying board website.
Am I prepared to sit for the CBSPD exam after this course?
The program prepares students for the CBSPD Sterile Processing Technician exam and provides information and links to CBSPD resources.
What are the registration limits or cancellation policies?
Seating is limited; NCCC reserves the right to cancel or postpone courses due to insufficient enrollment.