CBSPD Launches Inaugural Exam for Flexible Endoscope Reprocessors

Alpha, N.J. -- The board of directors of the Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD) announces that the inaugural examination for flexible endoscope  reprocessors will be administered during the first week of February 2008. The CBSPD offers competency-based certification examinations four times a year -- usually the first full week of February, May, August and November. This new program is the CBSPDs sixth certification program; the other examination programs offered are technician, supervisor, manager, surgical instrument processor and ambulatory surgery sterile processing technician. As the only sterile processing certification program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, this certification will enhance patient safety in the GI flexible endoscope processing area.

According to Nancy Chobin, RN, CSPDM, executive director of the CBSPD, This is an exciting time for the CBSPD, which administers certification examinations throughout the continental U.S. and in more than 14 international countries. This exam was a natural progression in the competency-based certification process, which is the core of the CBSPD certification.

The credential will be called Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER).  The role delineation study, which was performed in the summer of 2007, identified 10 content areas with a total of 58 knowledge areas; this demonstrates the sophistication and extent of the competence required for flexible endoscope reprocessors.

Candidate Bulletins (which contains the exam outline) and application forms are now available, and a study guide will be completed by January 2008. For additional information, visit the CBSPD Web site at: www.sterileprocessing.org or call the CBSPD at (800) 555-9765.