Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced that legislation he sponsored which would require the certification and continuing education of central service technicians has been signed by the governor (Chapter 177 of 2013).

“This is about keeping families safe in Monroe County and across New York,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “Central service technicians are such an integral part of the surgery process that we had to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to make certain these technicians are equipped with the latest practices and procedures to do their jobs safely and effectively in the ever-changing medical field.”

Central service technicians are responsible for cleaning devices between medical procedures and play a critical role in patient care by preventing infections; however until now, they have not been required to have a professional certification or continuing education. With the signing of this legislation into law, we will ensure these technicians have the on-going training they need to do their jobs at the highest level, added Assemblymember Bronson.

“The central service profession continues to evolve at a rapid pace with new surgical instruments being introduced regularly,” added local Rochester resident, Terris Porchea, CRCST, President-Elect, New York State Association of Central Service Professionals. “Certification will keep technicians educated on standards-based instrument processing practices so these professionals can perform their jobs safely and effectively, while keeping quality and patient safety at the forefront.”

Sterilization technicians work in a multitude of surgical settings including hospitals, offices and clinics of physicians, dentists’ offices, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which further emphasized the need for New York to enact more stringent standards and continuing education for central service technicians, noted Assemblymember Bronson.

“By enacting stricter standards, this law will make sure our loved ones who visit local hospitals get the care they need from well-trained personnel so they can return home to their families safe and sound,” said Assemblymember Bronson.

The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) has long been an outspoken advocate of state certification of central service technicians. With the enactment of this legislation into law, New York joins New Jersey as the only states to require certification of central service technicians.