Nashville State and VUMC Join Forces to Accelerate Careers in Surgical Support

A collaboration between Nashville State Community College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) provides a streamlined avenue for current VUMC employees aspiring to become Central Sterile Processing Technicians (CSP Technicians) in surgical support. These vital professionals oversee the meticulous cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing, assembling, and distributing of surgical instruments alongside various medical devices. The training spans 12 weeks, allowing participants to achieve certification as Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Certified Registered Central Service Technicians. Post-certification, graduates can secure full-time positions with VUMC. In its third cohort, the initiative has already seen 18 students advance through training and successfully enter critical surgical roles, with this cohort comprising eight trainees. VUMC facilitates tuition coverage and employee remuneration throughout the training. Instruction occurs at the Vanderbilt Case Cart Operations Center, with Nashville State providing comprehensive classroom and lab education, materials, and support. Program Director Leteya Tsonetokoy emphasized its role in addressing workforce demands while offering trainees a pathway to fulfilling careers.