Surgical Technology -program requirements
Sterile Processing - program admissions
SVSTI cannot stress enough the importance of the immunization's requirements needed before we can place you for Externships. The placement process begins AFTER your required immunization documents are received. The Clinical site placement process can take several weeks. Immunizations are required for SPD by week 2.
SVSTI requires every potential student to be at least 17 years of age and hold a minimum of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. If you do not have a GED certificate, High School Diploma or Transcripts you may contact either of the following agencies to obtain a Certificate of Proficiency.
HISET to take a high school equivalency test. hiset.ets.org
OR
CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Examination): called “Certificate of Proficiency” is legally equivalent to a high school diploma. For information contact California Proficiency Testing at (866) 342-4773. www.chspe.net
LOA's/Repeat or Re-Entry Policies
Leaves Of Absence from the Sterile Processing Program are not permitted as the program is only 13 weeks long. If a student has a grievance, they may need to be rescheduled to the next course start date. If a student requires leave for personal reasons, they may do so by withdrawing and re-enrolling at a later date (additional fees may be required). Re-enrolling is subject to a Re-Entry Evaluation Form/Policy. All Students must be approved by their Instructor(s) and Program Director to re-apply or re-enter in any Program. Students leaving the program must complete a Change of Status Form within 72 hours of notification to ensure they do not receive a failing grade for the course. Students may only be eligible to change their Program start date one time.
If a Surgical Technology student requires a leave of absence (LOA) a leave may be granted if it is determined that the student can be successfully scheduled to return and complete their course of study. Acceptable reasons for requesting a leave of absence include medical situations, personal emergencies, administrative reasons, military obligations, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. Leave of absences cannot exceed a cumulative 180 calendar days from the LDA (last day attended to the return date) in a 12-month period. There will be a fee of $4500 when the student returns to complete their program and will be subject to program seat availability. Surgical Technology Students must successfully test out to demonstrate their level of competency to determine the appropriate Term for re-entry. Competency will be measured using examinations and/or skills assessment. Re-enrolling is subject to a Re-Entry Evaluation Form/Policy. All Students must be approved by their Instructor(s) and Program Director to re-apply or re-enter in any Program. Students leaving the program must complete a Change of Status Form within 72 hours of notification to ensure they do not receive a failing grade for the course.
SVSTI Surgical Technology Program
Program Admissions- a copy of your high school diploma/equivalent or college transcripts/Degree for the Surgical Technology & Sterile Processing Program. If you graduated school in a foreign Country, you would need to have them verified and/or translated to English to meet the program requirements.
Immunizations requirements for Program admissions
SVSTI - EXTERNSHIP – Immunization /Medical Screening Requirements
YELLOW = BLOOD TEST(s)
The following requirements are based on the California State Department of Health Services recommendations and clinical facility requirements. You MUST complete the following immunizations and provide documentation to Admissions OR the Program Director NO LATER THAN the 2nd WEEK of your Program start date (SPD) or AT THE START OF TERM 2 (Surg-Tech). It is BEST to have completed for your start date (SPD) to ensure you are placed on time and do not have to repeat the Program.
A CLEAN Titer Test (BLOOD TEST) MUST be completed for (#3, #4, #5) and the test results report submitted to SVSTI BEFORE your program start date. If your TITER report indicates that you are no longer immune, you must receive a booster or the immunization series AND TAKE ANOTHER TITER TEST (30 days after last shot) to begin your Externship on time. Since you MUST have a TITER Test (blood test) for the items above, it is best to REQUEST a QuantiFERON TB Test (also a blood test) at same time.
Proof of CLEAN Titer results / report, proof of immunizations, and documents must be submitted BEFORE classes begin recommended and required by the beginning of week 2 (SPD) or by 2nd week of Term 2 (ST).
a. If positive, a chest x-ray must be taken (Do not have x-ray until 1 month before externship) - If negative, testing is complete.
3. Measles/Mumps/Rubella- TITER is required with numerical lab values.
● Titer results must be turned into Admissions or Program Director
● If there is no immunity, immunization is required.
4. Hepatitis B - TITER is required, with numerical lab values.
● Titer results must be turned into Admissions or Program Director
● If no immunity, immunization is required - Students must complete the required series (3 immunizations) and show proof of an additional Titer before start of externship – THIS CAN TAKE UP TO 6 MOS
5. Varicella (chicken pox) - TITER is required, with numerical lab values.
● Titer results must be turned into Admissions or Program Director
● If there is no immunity, immunization is required.
6. Physical Exam- or a note from your physician releasing you to be in good health
for Externship
7.BLS - Submit proof of current American Heart Association BLS (Basic Life Support) BEFORE (SPD only) classes begin. We
offer one time each cohort from an AHA instructor that comes to the campus. Please ask at enrollment.
8. Influenza – Proof of vaccination is required during flu season (Sept – April). Some sites require you to have it within that year even if not flu season.
9. COVID Card + Booster - Both the COVID vaccine(s) + Booster are required
Disclosure: Potential students are not eligible to participate in ANY Program with ANY active/contagious condition.
Program admissions requires a copy of your CA Driver's License or a CA State ID (front & back)
A background check and/or drug test may be required for program admissions or before site placement. If you do not pass background and/or drug test you will not be placed at a clinical site and could be dropped from the Surgical Technology and Sterile Processing Program.