Central Sterile Supply Processing (CSSP) Technician Apprenticeship Program: Earn While You Train for a High-Demand Healthcare Career!
CSSP technicians play a critical role in maintaining sterile surgical environments and protecting patient safety. At the forefront of this effort，CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region is offering a structured 6-month apprenticeship program, supported by national labor department initiatives, to prepare aspiring professionals for long-term careers in sterile processing and medical equipment safety.
From day one, participants begin earning while they train, gaining practical skills and preparing for CRCST certification—essential for working in this high-demand healthcare field.
I. CSSP Technicians: Secure a Lucrative, In-Demand Career in Healthcare
Start a Stable, Impactful Career with CommonSpirit Health With a nationwide network of hospitals and clinics, CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region serves communities across Colorado, Utah and Kansas, focusing on caring, technological innovation and clinical quality. Applications are now open for the six-month Sterile Processing Apprenticeship Program, which starts at $18.00/hour and includes online courses, on-site lab work, academic support and career mentoring.
Key Benefits of a Career as a CSSP Technician:
• Strong Job Growth: The field continues to expand, offering long-term employment potential.
• Stable Income Range: Entry-level technicians may earn between $40,000 and $50,000 annually, with experienced professionals surpassing $60,000.
• Vital to Patient Safety: Sterile processing technicians help minimize infection risks and ensure safe surgical environments.
• Skill Development: Ongoing training helps workers adapt to innovations and healthcare regulations.
• Comprehensive Employment Benefits: Many positions include healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and paid leave.
Why Choose the CSSP Training Program?
A CSSP career offers direct entry into the healthcare sector with practical, real-world experience. CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region Sterile Processing Program provide structured development across hospital systems and clinics.
Program Benefits:
• Real-World Skill Building – Learn sterilization processes and infection control techniques in both online and onsite settings.
• Immediate Career Entry – CSSP technicians are in demand in surgical centers, hospitals, and clinics.
• Clear Path for Advancement – Progress into supervisory roles, surgical equipment specialists, or continue toward other healthcare credentials.
• Recognized Certification Pathway – Training aligns with requirements for the CRCST exam via HSPA.
CSSP Training Program Curriculum
This program combines theory with practice to ensure students can meet healthcare facility standards for sterilization and infection control.
Core Modules:
• Sterile Processing Foundations – Sterilization techniques, infection prevention, and patient safety regulations.
• Instrument Identification & Care – Familiarization with surgical tools used across healthcare settings.
• Cleaning & Decontamination – Step-by-step instruction on preparing equipment for reuse.
• Inventory & Logistics – Managing the flow and distribution of sterile supplies.
• Regulation Compliance – Understanding OSHA, CDC, and healthcare-specific safety guidelines.
Hands-On Application:
• Experience with hospital-grade equipment at simulation labs.
• Practice decontamination, packaging, and proper tool storage.
• Participate in live demonstrations across medical settings.
How to Enroll
Enrollment in a CSSP apprenticeship typically includes the following steps:
1. Online Application: Visit the official CSSP apprenticeship page and complete the online form.
2. Document Submission: Upload necessary IDs and consent to a background check.
3. Choose a Training Site:
• CommonSpirit Health’s Saint Anthony Hospital in Westminster, Colorado
• Mercy Health in Youngstown, Ohio
• Bon Secours in Franklin, Virginia
• Franciscan Missionaries in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• KAISER in Sterling, Virginia
4. Begin Your Program: Once accepted, start your clinical and academic training without delay.
Success Story｜From Warehouse Work to Healthcare Professional
Elena Navarro, 29, Pueblo, Colorado
Before joining the CSSP apprenticeship at CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region, Elena worked in a warehouse with no clear path forward. With no healthcare experience, she hesitated to change careers—until she found this 6-month earn-while-you-train opportunity.
Through hands-on training and online classes at Front Range Community College, Elena built her skills, passed the CRCST exam, and transitioned into a full-time sterile processing technician role.
Act Now and Seize New Career Opportunities!
Now is the ideal time to enter the sterile processing field. The demand for skilled CSSP technicians continues to grow, and apprenticeships like the 6-month program from CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region offer a clear, supported path to certification and full-time employment.
Earn while you train, and step confidently into a high-demand healthcare profession.