This document provides an overview and instructions for a CRCST certification preparation course. It outlines class logistics like location, times, and materials needed. It emphasizes creating a positive learning environment and explains that the course will follow the textbook and allow for adjustments. Students will participate in lectures, interactive sessions, self-study assignments, and exams. Regular attendance is required and students must achieve a 70% pass rate. The document discusses the benefits of certification and different certification options available through IAHCSMM. It provides tips for successful studying and reducing test anxiety.

1. Introduction

2.  You’ve made the
right choice!
 Welcome to
IAHCSMM’s CRCST
Course!

4.  Class Location
 Class Times and Dates
 Instructor Information
 Required Materials

5.  We will ALL strive to create a positive
learning environment by:
 Treating Everyone with Respect
 Being Courteous
 Being Punctual
 Being Prepared for Class
 Working Together to Make the Most of our
Learning Experience

6.  The course will
follow the outline
listed in the text
and workbook
 We will make
adjustments as
necessary

7.  Lecture
 Classroom Interactive
Sessions
 Self Study
Assignments

8.  Attendance will be
recorded
 If you miss class,
you are
responsible to
cover the material
independently

9.  Grading will be based on
assignments and tests
 Students must achieve a 70%
or better in order to pass the
course
 *The better you do in this
course, the better you will
most likely do on your
certification exam

11.  Enhance Skills
 Develop a better
understanding of
Central Service
processes
 Prepare for Central
Service Certification

12.  Professional Recognition
 Pride in your Accomplishments
 More confidence on the job
 Future Career Opportunities
 Education for Life

13.  Certified Registered Central Service
Technician
 CRCST is the title used to designate someone
who has completed a designated course of
study and passed the IAHCSMM CRCST
Certification Exam
 This course is designed to help you prepare for
that examination

15.  Certified Instrument Specialist
 Attained by successfully completing an
IAHCSMM course with emphasis on
Surgical Instrument identification,
inspection, care, and handling, and
successfully completing the CIS
Certification Exam
 Visit www.iahcsmm.org for more details

16.  Certification in Healthcare
Leadership
 Attained by successfully completing an
IAHCSMM course with emphasis on
supervisory responsibilities and successfully
completing the CHL Certification Exam
 Visit www.iahcsmm.org for more details

17.  Certification in Healthcare Materiel
Management Concepts
 Attained by successfully completing an IAHCSMM
course with emphasis on purchasing, inventory
management, financial management, and related
concepts and successful completion of the
CHMMC Certification Exam
 Visit www.iahcsmm.org for more details

18.  Fellowship in Central Service
 Available to senior IAHCSMM
members who submit extensive
documentation and maintain rigid
professional development activities
 Visit www.iahcsmm.org for more details

19. How will it help me in my job?

20.  Standards
 Regulations
 The Science Behind our Processes
 Common Protocols and Practices
 Doing the Right Thing to Protect the Patient
 This higher level of knowledge will enhance
your critical thinking and decision-making skills
 It will also give you a broader understanding of
systems and prepare you for the future

21.  IAHCSMM Central
Service Technical
Manual, Seventh
Edition (Text)
 IAHCSMM Central
Service Technical
Training Workbook,
Seventh Edition

22.  The text and workbook
are designed to be used
together
 Lessons in the workbook
help you practice what
you have learned and
measure your level of
understanding

23. Lesson Components

24.  Unit Introduction – This section will
provide a brief overview of the topic
content and explain how the
information contained in the lesson
connects with your job. Use this short
segment to help set the tone for the
lesson

25.  Objectives – Objectives are a checklist of
what we plan to accomplish. They are
written as “actions” that list a skill you
should have when you successfully complete
the lesson. Each lesson contains a list of the
learning objectives we plan to cover. You
will note that the same objectives appear at
the beginning of each corresponding chapter
in the text. The workbook and text are
designed to be used together to accomplish
those objectives

26.  Reading Assignment – The reading
assignment will provide you with the section
of the text that corresponds with the lesson

27.  Practice Exercises – Practice exercises are
designed to help you practice working with
the new concepts and terms that you have
just learned. These exercises use a variety
of methods to help you become more
familiar with the information you have just
read

28.  Quiz – Each lesson has a review quiz that will
help measure the knowledge you have
attained. Use it as a tool to determine how
well you understand the information. If you
miss any questions, go back and review
them. This same information may appear on
a future test, on the final exam, or the
CRCST certification exam

29.  Clinical Experience Connection – In addition
to successful completion of the CRCST
certification exam, certification also requires
400 hours of practical experience in
designated Central Service work areas. This
segment explains how this lesson prepares
you for that practice experience

30.  Additional Resources – This area will provide
you with some resources to learn more about
the specific topic are of the current lesson.
Please Note: These resources are provided
to enhance your knowledge of a specific
topic area and are not required reading.
Information from these resources is not
included on quizzes or exams

31. The Better your Chances are for
Success.

33.  Everyone is different. Different methods work
for different people. The following are some
suggestions for improving upon your current
studying techniques
 It is best to review the material right after
class when it's still fresh in your memory
 Don't try to do all your studying the night
before a test, instead space out your studying,
review class materials at least several times a
week, focusing on one topic at a time

34.  Have all of your study material in front of you:
lecture notes, course textbooks, study guides
and any other relevant material
 Find a comfortable and quiet place to study
with good lighting and little distractions (try
avoiding your own bed; it is very tempting to
just lie down and take a nap)
 Start out by studying the most important
information

35.  Take notes and write down a summary of the
important ideas as you read through your study
materials
 Take short breaks frequently, your memory
retains the information that you study at the
beginning and the end better than what you
study in the middle
 Space out your studying, you'll learn more by
studying a little every day instead of waiting to
cram at the last minute. By studying everyday,
the material will stay in your long-term memory
but if you try to study at the last moment, the
material will only reside in your short-term
memory that you'll easily forget

36.  Make sure that you understand the material
well, don't just read through the material and
try to memorize everything
 If you choose to study in a group, only study
with others who are serious about studying
 Test yourself or have someone test you on
the material to find out what your weak and
strong areas are. You can use the review
questions at the end of each chapter or
practice tests the teacher may give out as
well as other materials

37.  Listening to relaxing music such as
classical or jazz on a low volume can
relieve some of the boredom of
studying
 Don't study later than the time you
usually go to sleep, you may fall asleep
or be tempted to go to sleep, instead
try studying in the afternoon or early
evening. If you are a morning person try
studying in the morning

39.  Being well prepared for the test is the
best way to reduce test taking anxiety
 Space out your studying over a few days or weeks, and
continually review class material, don't wait until the night
before and try to learn everything the night before
 Try to maintain a positive attitude while preparing for the
test and during the test
 Exercising for a few days before the test will help reduce
stress
 Get a good night's sleep before the test
 Show up to class early so you won't have to worry about
being late

40.  Stay relaxed, if you begin to get nervous take a few deep
breaths slowly to relax yourself and then get back to work.
Read the directions slowly and carefully
 Skim through the test so that you have a good idea how to
pace yourself
 Don't worry about how fast other people finish their test;
just concentrate on your own test
 If you don't know a question skip it for the time being
(come back to it later if you have time), and remember
that you don't have to always get every question right to do
well on the test
 Focus on the question at hand; don't let your mind wander
on other things

41.  Budget your time, make sure you have sufficient
time to study so that you are well prepared for
the test. Go to review, pay attention to hints that
the instructor may give about the test. Take
careful notes and ask questions about items you
may be confused about
 Make sure you go to the class right before the
test; it's another prime time for the instructor to
give out more hints or the format of the test
 Go over any material from old tests, the
Workbook, review the textbook and class notes.

42.  Eat before a test, having food in your
stomach will give you energy and help you
focus, but avoid heavy foods which can make
you groggy
 Don't try to pull an all-nighter, get adequate
sleep before the test
 Try to show up at least 5 minutes before the
test will start.
 Set your alarm and have a backup alarm set
as well
 Go to the bathroom before walking into the
exam room, you don't want to waste anytime
worrying about your bodily needs during the
test

44.  Read the question before you look at the
answer
 Come up with the answer in your head
before looking at the possible answers,
this way the choices given on the test
won't throw you off or trick you
 Eliminate answers you know aren't right
 Read all the choices before choosing your
answer
 If there is no guessing penalty, always
take an educated guess and select an
answer

45. Don't keep on changing your answer,
usually your first choice is the right one,
unless you miss-read the question
In "All of the above" and "None of the
above" choices, if you are certain one of
the statements is true don't choose "None
of the above" or one of the statements
are false don't choose "All of the above"

46.  Qualifiers like "never, always, and every mean
that the statement must be true all of the time.
Usually these type of qualifiers lead to a false
answer
 Qualifiers like "usually, sometimes, and
generally" mean that if the statement can be
considered true or false depending on the
circumstances. Usually these type of qualifiers
lead to an answer of true
 If any part of the question is false, then the
entire statement is false, but just because part
of a statement is true doesn't necessarily make
the entire statement true

48.  Is the Key to
success!

49.  Depends on
Correct Policies
 Depends on Good
Work Practices
 Depends on Well-
Trained People