Bill > H5066

This bill establishes new requirements for individuals working as central service technicians in South Carolina, defining them as people who decontaminate, inspect, assemble, package, and sterilize reusable medical instruments or devices for healthcare facilities. To be employed or retained by a healthcare facility, these technicians must either hold a credential from a nationally accredited central service technician credentialing organization, such as the certified registered central service technician or the certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential, or have been employed in this role before January 1, 2027. New technicians without these credentials will have eighteen months from their hire date to obtain one, during which time they can work on a probationary basis if they meet other requirements, but will be prohibited from working as a central service technician in any healthcare facility in the state if they fail to obtain a credential within that period. All qualified central service technicians must also complete ten hours of relevant continuing education annually. The bill also outlines exceptions, allowing healthcare practitioners, supervised students or interns, and individuals holding other healthcare service credentials to perform these tasks. Healthcare facilities are responsible for verifying technician credentials, ensuring competency through supervision, and maintaining records of employed technicians, which must be provided to employees upon request.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5066&session=126&summary=B