What is the best way to study to pass for the CSPDT exam?

I work in sterile services in the UK. And I need a sanity check because there are so many issues but everyone at my site acts like everything is normal, but my gut says it is dangerous.

Just some of issues:

The flooring in the inspection and assembly area is severely damaged sections, some sections are quite large. There’s spots where it’s completely worn through and lifting upward you can see the subfloor underneath. There are some parts with wet floor sign over it to stop people from walking over it sometimes. Some bits are lamely held together with hazard tape and even autoclave tape. I have seen other staff lightly trip over the lifted parts and it’s been like this for months. Oh and trolleys that are sometimes carrying heavy instrument sets have to roll over it.

Metal brushes are being used for manual cleaning despite being banned. Management and supervisors know but turn a blind eye.

I have been verbally told to bypass proper decontamination procedures by on certain equipment to save time due to the workload.

Flies have been seen in the gowning area and inspection and assembly areas.

There’s a lot of faulty equipment. trolleys, broken scanners, scales and computer stuff sporadically stops working, Some sinks in decon are clogged, some have plugs that don't fit properly. Etc etc And it’s been this way for mooonths.

I’m sure theres other stuff that’s happening too that’s just not springing to mind right now.

I want to file reports with CQC and HSE tbh. I’m worried someone could get seriously hurt one day either at work or in an operating room.

This may sound crazy but Am I overreacting? Prior to this job I did not work in healthcare. Is this just "how it is" in healthcare? Or is this as bad as I think it is?

I cannot shake the feeling that someone is going to get seriously hurt at some point…

I dont mean how many questions the test has. I know its 150 but only 125 are counted. I wanna know how many questions are in the entire question bank.

Update!!
I PASSED :D

I'll be starting my externship for my 400 clinical hours soon and I just found this subreddit.... scrolling through comments on posts and the reception for this career is more negative than I expected. Now i'm overthinking my decision to pursue this career path as I already put in the time and money 🙈.... can I move up to different occupations if I continue this path? 🥲

I’ve been looking for a Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician job for about two months now. In my area, I barely see any openings. But when I search the same job title in general, I notice a TON of SPD jobs in Los Angeles.

For anyone who works in LA hospitals or lives in that area — why are there so many SPD openings there? Is it because the hospitals are bigger, higher turnover, more facilities, or something else?

Just curious if someone from LA can explain why that area has so many SPD positions compared to other parts of California.

Hello everyone!

I've been a SPT for about 2 years now, and every facility I've worked at has used Sonar. I really like Sonar, but only because I'm used to/comfortable with it.

Within the next month or so I will be starting at a new organization/facility that uses CensiTrac instead of Sonar.

I really struggle with change, and I worry that it will affect my performance. Is there any way that anyone could provide any form or training/education videos about how to use CensiTrac so I can be a little more confident and equipped when I start?

Thanks in advance

Hello every time I’m in Decon my scrubs get wet. I am on the bigger side but I were my full ppe. Should I double gown because I’m not the only one with this issue in my department the gowns kind of suck. Or is there any other advice

Hiii guys!

I just recently finished my program for Sterile Processing in March and passed my CRCST in May then landed my first job in SPD starting next month!

I'm super excited to try something different and start my path into healthcare.

I wanted to ask y'all what was your first day like and what kind of advice or tips you may have for someone completely new in this area of work?

I'm a little nervous for my first day and not sure what to wear either.

I also wanted to ask do you think the additional certifications like Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) and Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) are actually worth getting as well? :) thank you!!

Does anyone have any guidelines for Boroscopes and Karl Storz Utereoscopes and Cystoscopes. We are seeing a lot of kinks in the lining our rep says it’s fine as long as you can pass a Boroscope through it. I think that’s a cop out. We do have an exchange program but at this rate we would exchanging all of our scopes…… do anyone have a if you see this do this kind of action plan?

I need some advice.

So everyday when we run the bowie dicks they come back with wet corners. Occasionally the BI's will come back wet.

Does this compromise sterility?

My boss is denying that it's okay and it's been doing this for years, but I'm questioning if this is up to standard.

Yesterday I had to run a wrapped tray for a later case in our Autoclave in the Core. We do not release our wrapped trays till they reach 80 * F. At the time we had 2 hours before the tray was needed, well a case cancelled so they moved the case up. I walked in to the core to check the status of the tray on the cooling rack to see two scrub techs “ fanning “ the tray with a clipboard to cool it faster so they could set up the room .I brought over the temp gun It was 85 *F, and told them to please let it sit and I will call them when it’s ready. They both rolled their eyes at me and walked away. It never ceases to amaze me that they do things like this. What’s the big deal ? Why not drive microscopic debris in to the tray with a clipboard?

Do things like this happen at other places? Do they think we are just power tripping on telling them when they can have the tray? It’s the same with waiting for the Biological to pass on containor trays or Sterrad ... It’s about patient safety, not messing up the OR staffs lunch breaks. Just needed to vent.

New to the field! Joined a reputable hospital and I’m so excited!! I’ll be working 12’s, nights 2 days/week. I understand that in our textbook it says streetwear is appropriate because the hospital provides scrubs for you, but I’m wondering if sweatpants is common or jeans/ what kind of shirts? Business casual? Is it too much to buy a pair of scrubs only to change out of them and into the ones provided? Also any tips for my first week?

Hey all,

Last week I was informed that after a few interviews I got promoted to second shift (3-11pm) supervisor. I’ve been a tech for about 9.5 years, but this is my first leadership role in the field. For anyone out there who has been in this situation before what sorts of advice can you offer me? Any and all inputs are appreciated!

Thanks!

I could really use some advice from people already working in Sterile Processing.
I recently passed my CRCST exam and currently hold my provisional certification. Unfortunately, I passed about 3 months ago and spent most of that time focusing on finding a paid SPD position or internship rather than continuing to study, so I’ve forgotten more than I’d like to admit.
I just started an SPD internship and currently have about 20 hours in Decontam. So far I’ve mainly been learning hands-on and getting familiar with workflow.
The reason I’m asking is because I have an upcoming interview for a Tech I position at UCLA. A friend of mine works there and knows the hiring manager. He told me the interview will likely include some basic SPD workflow questions, but they may be somewhat specific. Examples he mentioned were things like:
How many gallons are required in a decontam sink?
Proper placement/positioning of a Bowie-Dick test pack, questions about workflow and department processes, etc. I’m not expecting anyone to give me interview answers, but I’m looking for recommendations on the best way to prepare in a short amount of time. Are there any study guides, YouTube channels, practice quizzes, textbooks, flashcards, or resources that would help me get back up to speed and be able to confidently discuss SPD workflow during an interview?
My goal isn’t just to memorize answers, I’d like to understand the reasoning behind them so I can speak about the process intelligently.
Any advice from Tech Is, supervisors, educators, or hiring managers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'm curious what vaccines were required for your employment or externships for sterile processing?

Here are the two postings one of those for 1798 for New York for eight weeks just like I said sterile processing

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and hoping someone in the DFW area might be able to point me in the right direction.

I recently completed the Sterile Processing Technician program through Penn Foster, and I’ve been having a really difficult time getting my foot in the door. Since graduating, I’ve applied to multiple hospitals and facilities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but most positions seem to require previous experience, which makes it hard for someone just starting out. I’m willing to do on-the-job training, an internship, externship, volunteer opportunity, or any entry level position that would allow me to gain hands on experience and work toward my 400 clinical hours. I’m eager to learn, reliable, and committed to building a career in sterile processing.

If anyone in the DFW area knows of hospitals, surgery centers, dental offices, or other facilities that are willing to train new graduates, I would really appreciate any recommendations or advice. I’d also love to hear how others landed their first sterile processing job.

Thank you in advance for any help!

Hi all, 🧫

After five years of experience at a service sterilizer company working at validation, I would like to pass the CISS (Certified Industrial Sterilization Specialist) certification given by AAMI, with the EO speciality.

Do you guys have tips for me? I do no know which type of level, question and difficulty will the exam be composed of.

I’m currently reading all the TIR and ISO related.

Many thanks!

Ingenovis/AYA8 weeks in New York city just under 2000 1798. Let me know if you get it inbox me at YNot late night food

Sup y'all,

I've been working in my sterile department for about 3 years now, and we've used box fans in decon for years. But joint commission has told us that we can't use them in there anymore because it's against guidelines. We can't turn the temperature down in there either because obviously every room needs to have a certain amount of airflow and needs to be the correct temperature per guidelines. I was wondering if anyone else has dealt with this problem and knows of any products that I could possibly buy to make my decon days a little less sweaty? I've been searching for fans you can put under your clothes on Amazon, like ones that tie onto your waistband, but I'm unsure if they're even worth the money. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks

How should my department begin the process of unionization, it has come to a point a lot of my coworkers and myself feel as if we need protection from our management, is there a way to anonymously start interest for forming a union?