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Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) — Requirements & Free Practice

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Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS)

HSPA certification for advanced sterile-processing instrument specialists, requiring current full CRCST certification, separate hands-on experience, and the CIS examination.

Licensing authority: Healthcare Sterile Processing Association

Initial by examination
Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) exam
Crcst
Current full CRCST certification is required before the CIS exam and must stay current to maintain CIS.
Experience
200 separate hands-on hours in a Sterile Processing department, before applying and within the preceding five years.

Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) exam

Provider
HSPA
Format
Computer-based multiple choice
Exam questions
Total questions: 150; Scored questions: 125; Unscored questions: 25; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
Three hours
Exam fee
$140 initial exam
Examination outline
  • Decontamination Processes (12%)
    • Monitor Cleaning Quality Assurance
    • Integrate Cleaning Toolbox System
    • Identify Processes for Cleaning, Decontamination and Handling of Specialized Instrumentation
  • Instrumentation Identification (32%)
    • Differentiate Between Single-Use, Reposable and Reusable Instrumentation
    • Identify Specialty Surgical Instrumentation
    • Identify Manufacturing Types and Finishes
    • Identify Processes for Implantable Devices
    • Apply Instrumentation Identification Methods
  • Instrumentation Inspection, Testing, Integrity and Assembly (20%)
    • Evaluate Process Compliance
    • Select and Utilize Inspection Tools and Materials
    • Select and Utilize Testing Tools and Materials
    • Perform Visual and Integrity Inspection
    • Facilitate Preventative Maintenance (PM) and Repairs
  • Preparation and Packaging (10%)
    • Evaluate and Select Packaging Systems and Accessories
  • Disinfection and Sterilization Processes (6%)
    • Apply Sterilization and Disinfection Standards
    • Troubleshoot Sterilization and Disinfection Failures
  • Quality and Information Systems (20%)
    • Promote and Maintain Training and Education
    • Foster Customer Relations and Process Improvement
    • Conduct Audits and Maintain Documentation
    • Oversee Instrumentation Management Systems
    • Coordinate Loaned Instrumentation Process
    • Monitor Water Quality
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