CRCST Exam Content Outline - IAHCSMM

1 The CRCST Exam Content Outline was created through the 2017 job task analysis and outlines the specific areas of knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a Central Service Technician. The Content Outline also details the percentage weight for each of the seven sections which comprise the CRCST Exam. The higher the percentage weight, the more heavily the questions in that area will affect your overall test Area Specific Safety Standards i OSHA/Blood Borne Pathogens ii Microbiology ( cross contamination, chain of infection, microbial transmission, how CS supports infection prevention) iii Where to obtain area specific safety awareness standards ( safety data sheets (SDS), regulatory agencies & professional associations) iv Sharps safety v Equipment operation vi Chemical safety & handling ( spill kit, interpreting the Manufacturer s Instructions for Use (IFU) & SDS, disposal) vii Location, operation & testing of eyewash station & shower viii Ergonomics ( work-flow, proper body mechanics) ix Traffic flow x How to contain, transport & receive soiled items into decontamination or soiled utility rooms ( inspecting for & reporting inadequate point of use cleaning) xi Hand-hygine ( frequency)b Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

2 I What type of PPE to useii Donning & doffing PPEiii When to change & how to dispose of PPEc Temperature & Humidity of the Work Environmenti Standards for temperatureii Standards for humidityiii Recording & documenting temperature & humidity ( frequency)iv Corrective actions taken if not within the parameters ( who to notify)d Preparing Work Area For Decontaminationi Correct cleaning agent or chemicals for cleaning processii Supplies Needed ( brush, towels, location of restock)iii Equipment ( washer disinfector , ultrasonic, cart washer , leak tester)iv How to determine & prepare chemicals following the Manufacturer s IFU ( dilution, equipment) v How to check & replenish chemicals in equipmentvi How to determine the correct chemicals for the equipmentvii Testing the functionality of light & magnification devicesviii How to clean sink strainer/drains ( frequency)e Quality Testsi Efficacy testing process for washer /disinfectorii Efficacy testing process for ultrasoniciii Efficacy testing process for automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER) iv Efficacy testing process for cart washerv Frequency of quality tests ( washers, ultrasonic, AERs, cart washers)vi How to document & interpret quality test results ( quality assurance testing program)f Maintenance & Troubleshooting of Equipmenti How to interpret the Manufacturer s IFU ( operator s manual, locate)ii How to identify, respond & report malfunctions and/or alarmsiii How to clean equipment strainers/drainsiv Identification of outlets ( on/off, regular, emergency)CLEANING, DECONTAMINATION & DISINFECTION [PERCENTAGE WEIGHT.]

3 20%] CRCST Exam Content OutlineRevised June 2018 4 Pagesv Chemical feed line functionality ( identifying detergent dosage)vi How to clean & test spray armsvii How to check washer manifolds & basketsg Identification & Separation of Reusable & Disposable Itemsi Sorting reusable & disposable items ( laparoscopic tips, linens, drapes, third-party recycling vendors, sustainability)ii How to dispose of sharps & non-reprocessed items ( biohazards vs non-regulated trash, sharps container)h Preparing Items for Decontaminationi Identify manual and/or mechanical cleaning according to the Manufacturer s IFUii Proper opening & positioning of instrumentsiii How to disassemble instrumentsiv What goes in each sink ( two or three sink method)v Soak process ( water temperature, dilution)vi Brushes ( selection, size & care, single use vs reusable)vii Prevention of aerosolsviii When & how to use high-pressure water & air gun/hose ( critical water)ix Visual inspection of bioburden removal ( magnifying devices)x How to properly load items into the equipmentxi Selection of appropriate wash cyclexii Methods for reducing the risk of Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS)xiii Special precautions for Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD) instrumentsi Selecting & Using Appropriate Disinfectanti Disinfectant family ( quats, halogens, aldehydes)ii Three levels of Spaulding Classification ( non-critical, semi-critical, critical)iii How to identify, select & use the appropriate chemicals ( exposure times, rinsing)iv Documentation of chemical testing ( temperature, Minimum Effective Concentration(MEC))v Corrective actions for failed quality tests ( temperature, MEC)j High Level Disinfection (HLD) Processi Safety measures when using HLD ( PPE, spill kit, ventilation)

4 Ii Dilution requirements ( concentration, expiration, end of use date, labeling)iii Rinsing requirements ( critical water)iv Proper documentation ( technician information, patient information, exposure time & solution temperature, lot control number)v Care, handling & storage ( drying, expiration date)vi Proper disposal methods ( neutralizer)vii Transport guidelines ( closed container, clean labeling)k Transferring Items to Preparation Areai How to maintain appropriate air flow ( negative pressure, positive pressure)ii How to prevent cross-contamination ( point of use cleaning & decontamination prior to IUSS)iii Performing a visual check for cleanlinessPREPARATION & PACKAGING [PERCENTAGE WEIGHT: 20%]a Area Specific Safety Standardsi Area specific safety awareness ( hot carts, wet floors, hot trays)ii Sharps safety ( skin hooks, K-wire, towel clips)iii Equipment operation ( heat sealers, insulation testers, scope inspectors)iv Where to find Safety Data Sheets (SDS)v Chemical safety & handling ( interpreting the Manufacturere s Instructions for Use (IFU) & SDS, disposal)vi Ergonomics ( work-flow, proper body mechanics)vii Traffic flowviii Hand-hygineb Temperature & Humidity of the Work Environmenti Standards for temperatureii Standards for humidityiii Recording & documenting temperature & humidity ( frequency) iv Corrective actions taken if not within parameters ( who to notify)c Preparing Work Area for Packagingi Dress codeii Supplies needed ( indicators, tip protectors, tray liners, tape)iii Work area requirements ( cleaning requirements, lighting, magnification)

5 D Receiving Items for Preparationi How to unload equipment ( instrument, cart washers)ii How to accept manually cleaned items ( pass-through window)iii How to identify & sort items ( service, facility, loaner)e Inspecting Items for Cleanliness & Functionalityi How to check for cleanliness & functionalityii Proper testing tools & process for checking functionality of items ( sharpness testing)iii process of handling broken and/or damaged instrumentation ( dull, misaligned, documentation)iv Lubrication of items ( according to the Manufacturer s IFU, when & how to lubricate)v How to assemble, test & disassemble items according to the Manufacturer s IFUf identifying Correct Contents for Assemblyi Utilizing count sheets, peel pack lists, tray lists ii How to identify items ( catalogs, product number, computers, tape, etching, cross-referenceing)iii How to size & measure itemsg Assembling Contents for Packagingi Instrument protection devices ( tip protectors, foam, mats, tray liners)ii Proper instrument placement ( facilitate sterilization, protect instruments)iii Instrument organizers ( stringers, racks)iv Class/type & appropriate use of chemical indicators/integrators ( proper placement, intended cycle)v Weight limits & weight distributionh Packaging Methodi Types of packaging method ( flat wrap, peel pack, container, size, packaging weightii Sterilization method/cycle to be usediii External indicators ( locks, tape)iv Inspecting packaging ( wrap, rigid containers)v Closure methods ( tape, locks, heat seal, self-sealvi Proper packaging methods ( peel packs, rigid containers, wrap (simultaneous vs sequential))vii Proper wrapping techniques ( square fold, envelope)))

6 I Labeling Methodi Approved writing instrumentii Placement of labeling & writing ( write on plastic side of peel pouch, write on tape not wrapper)iii proper label information ( missing items, tray information, technician identification, storage destination)iv Special information identifiers ( implant, loaners, sterilization methods/cycle)v Date of sterilization/date of expiration ( event-related vs time)j Transferring Items to Appropriate Areai Proper item handling ( stacking, rough handling (sliding), package integrity)ii How to prioritize for rapid turn-aroundiii Ergonomics ( workflow, body mechanics)iv How to track items ( manual, computer)DOCUMENTATION & RECORD MAINTENANCE [PERCENTAGE WEIGHT: 10%]a Record Maintenancei Record Keeping ( policy & procedure, what needs to be kept, type of records, record location, quality test results)ii Purpose of record keeping ( standards, legal documents)b Environmental Condition Monitoring & Corrective Actioni Appropriate air exchanges & pressures for all work areasii Corrective action plan for environmental conditions out of compliance ( temperature, humidity, air flow, regulatory bodies)c Employee Education, Safety & Risk Managementi Accident/incident reporting policy ( patient tracing procedure, in event of needle stick, cut)ii Orientation ( health care facility, state & federal regulations, disaster plan, risk management & safety management policies)iii Personnel monitoring ( exposure control plan, badges)iv Education & training record requirements ( certification, competencies, continuing education, new equipment & processes)STERILIZATION process [PERCENTAGE WEIGHT.]

7 20%]a Area Specific Safety Standardsi Area specific safety awareness ( hot carts, wet floors, hot trays, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), traffic flow, hand-hygiene)ii Equipment operation ( high & low temp sterilizers, incubators)iii Sterilization chemical safety & handling ( interpreting the Manufacturer s Instructions for Use (IFU) & Safety Data Sheets (SDS), disposal)iv Ergonomics ( work-flow, proper body mechanics)b Temperature & Humidity of the Work Environmenti Standards for temperatureii Standards for humidityiii Recording & documenting temperature & humidity ( frequency)iv Corrective actions taken if not within the parameters ( who to notify)c Preparing the Work Area for Sterilizationi Supplies needed ( printer supplies, test packs, label/load gun supplies)ii Cleaning equipment ( according to the Manufacturer s IFU, drains, chamber)iii Checking equipment functionality ( error codes, printer, incubators)d Sterilizer Testsi Leak testsii Bowie Dick/air removal testsiii Biological tests ( high & low temperature, cycle changes)iv When to perform tests ( repair, construction, malfunction, routine)e Sterilization Methods & Cyclesi High temperature ( steam, dry heat)ii Low temperature ( gas plasma, vaporized, ethylene oxide, liquid chemical)iii Anatomy & phases of the high & low temperature sterilizersiv Different types of cycles ( gravity, dynamic, standard, advanced, IUSS)f Pre- & Post-Sterilization Package Integrityi What compromises integrity ( moisture, holes, filters, broken locks & seals)ii Filter placement, locks, seals & external indicatorsg Load Sterilizeri Load configuration ( metal, wrapped, rigid container, peel pouch)ii Sterilization method verification ( high vs low temperature)iii Biological tests/ process challenge devices ( selection, placement)

8 Iv How to identify appropriate use of external indicators ( sterilization method, placement)h Operating & Monitoring Sterilization Equipmenti Sterilizer component checks ( according to Manufacturer s IFU, door gaskets, drains, carts, incubator temperature verification)ii How to select & change cycle for high & low temperature sterilizers ( exposure, dry, temperature)iii How to replace & dispose of empty cartridges/tanks/cassettesi Cycle Parameter Verificationi How to interpret the printout ( temperature, time & pressure exposure, cycle type)ii Verification procedures to ensure accountability ( initialing the printout)j Unloading Sterilizeri What compromises sterility ( cooling time, temperature, handling, equipment failure)ii Traffic flow ( cart placement)k Test Resultsi Proper handling & incubation of the biological tests/ process challenge devicesii Quarantine ( implants, early release)iii How to interpret & document test resultsl Potential process Failuresi How to identify a process failure ( wet packs, color change, failure to meet sterilization parameters)ii Procedure for follow-up after process failure ( recall, documentation, contact)m Load Control (Lot) Numberi Required information for a load control (lot) numbern Documenting Sterilization Load Contentsi How & what to record ( computer or manual load log sheet)ii Rationale for documentation ( recall, traceability)a Customer Relationsi Communication etiquette ( phone, email, text, active listening)ii Decision-making skills ( prioritizing, critical thinking)iii Communication types ( formal, informal, service recovery skills)iv Medical terminology ( anatomy & physiology, surgical terminology, instrumentation)b Teamwork & Work Groupsi Types of work groups ( quality, cross-functional)ii Decision making & accountability ( identify roles & responsibilities)

9 Iii Task prioritization ( reading the schedule, turnover, anticipating customer needs)CUSTOMER RELATIONS [PERCENTAGE WEIGHT: 10%]STERILE STORAGE & INVENTORY MANAGEMENT [PERCENTAGE WEIGHT: 10%]PATIENT CARE EQUIPMENT [PERCENTAGE WEIGHT: 10%]a Area Specific Safety Standardsi Area specific safety awareness ( traffic flow, hand-hygiene, Safety Data Sheets (SDS))ii Ergonomics ( work-flow, proper body mechanics)b Temperature & Humidity of the Work Environmenti Standards for temperatureii Standards for humidityiii Recording & documenting temperature & humidity ( frequency)iv Corrective actions taken if not within the parameters ( who to notify)c Preparing the Work Area for Storagei Dress codeii Supplies needed ( carts (closed, open), rack system (closed, semi-closed, open))iii Work area requirements ( cleaning requirements)d Ordering & Inventory Replenishmenti Inventory replenishment & distribution systems ( periodic automated replenishment, exchange cart system, requisition systems)ii The ordering process ( computerized vs m)