Articles
New HCC Sterile Processing certificate paves strong path toward healthcare career
Nov 7, 2025
The new Sterile Processing certificate program at Houston City College is positioning students for even greater career success in healthcare with its new certificate program starting in Spring 2026.
The certificate program offers significant advantages compared to the traditional occupational skills award (OSA), according to Melissa Bruton, M.Ed., HCC Sterile Processing, Endoscopy and Surgical Technology program director.
“The certificate is a semester longer and carries more weight than an OSA, so students will earn stronger wages upon graduating,” Bruton said. “Plus, financial aid covers the certificate pathway, so many students won’t have to worry about affording their education.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, the median annual salary for a certified sterile processing technician is $47,940, or approximately $23.05 per hour.
The program is two semesters, with first-semester classes offered in the evenings to give working students more flexibility. It is offered every fall and spring semester at the HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences campus located in the Texas Medical Center.
Sterile processing is an ideal launchpad for anyone looking to build a meaningful career in the healthcare field, according to HCC Health Sciences Dean Jeff Gricar, Ed.D.
“Sterile processing plays a vital role in patient safety and is a great gateway into healthcare,” Gricar said. “In about six months, students gain hands-on experience with surgical instruments, infection control and hospital operations. Their skills and work experience can serve as a steppingstone for career and social mobility.”
The discipline is also an excellent introduction into other high-demand healthcare programs, particularly Endoscopy Technician or Surgical Technology roles, according to Bruton.
“And once students earn an associate degree, they can continue their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration here at HCC,” she said.
To learn more about the Sterile Processing Program, visit hccs.edu/Surgical-Tech.