How to become a sterile processing technician

Introduction

Sterile processing technician are part of the medical industry and work with other technicians on sterilization, packaging, and dispensing processes. They help ensure that drugs and other sterile items are properly stored, packaged, and dispensed by ensuring that the proper procedures are followed at every step. According to Indeed.com, A specialist in sterile processing could earn an annual salary of up to $43K and an average salary of $30K per year.

What is a Sterile Processing Technician?

A sterile processing technician is a medical technician that prepares the equipment needed for surgery and other medical procedures.

Sterile processing technicians are accountable for ensuring the sterilizability of surgical instruments, such as scissors and scalpels, by cleaning them with disinfectant products before sterilization. They also ensure that the prepared materials aren’t infected with viruses or bacteria.

What is the annual salary of a Sterile Processing Technician?

According to Indeed.com, The average wage for technicians working in sterile processing is $19.69 an hour. This means you could make between $27k and $31K per year, depending on how much you’re working and your level of expertise.

You can increase your income as a sterile processing technician when you work for a larger company with more clients and provides the opportunity to learn. This can increase your chances of promotion within the organization or a department with more growth opportunities (such as customer services).

How do you become Sterile Processing Technician Qualifications for Education and Training

To become a sterile processor technician, you’ll need to meet the education and training requirements set forth by your state’s healthcare facilities.

Training: Most states require applicants to complete an approved training course before being certified as a sterilized processing technician. The training programs usually last one year and include medical terminology, anatomy, microbiology, and other relevant topics.
Education: Candidates must take written tests covering topics included in the classroom portion of their education to be certified as sterile processing technicians in each state.

Sterile Processing Technician Certifications and Licenses

There are several certifications available for technicians who work in sterile processing. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) provides numerous certifications, such as:

Certified Professional Surgical Technician (CPSCâ€“SCT)
Certified Operating Room Assistant (COOR)
Certified Operating Room Specialist (CORS)

Every certification requires you to attend an educational seminar and pass written and practical tests. You can also get your certification after passing both tests on the first attempt, with no retakes allowed; however, if you fail either examination consecutively within five years, the certification will be removed permanently! This isn’t necessarily a negative thing–it just means that there’s a certain amount of pressure to achieve this goal before it is removed from us!

Sterile Processing Technician Career Outlook

Sterile processing technician is a booming field. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that there will be a need for nearly 17,600 additional Sterile processing technicians in 2026 (a 76% growth). The BLS also predicts that these jobs should cost around $36 an hour or more based on your location and level of experience; However, this could vary according to where you are employed and what company you work for.

There are several ways to become a sterile processing technician.

Take classes at an accredited school like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C4t-4YV7wQ. It’s even better if you get paid while in school!
Work as an apprentice with an individual who has been trained by themselves or with someone who knows how it is done inside and out. This way, they can teach you how things work before they leave their position, which will mean more money going into your bank account each month instead of paying rent because those apartment rentals aren’t cheap either!

A great way to get into medical practice is to be a sterile processing technician.

As a sterile processing technician, you’ll be able to perform work in a medical setting. Your abilities can be applied in various settings and with diverse people. As long as you have the appropriate training and qualifications, you’ll never know your job security!

Conclusion

A sterile processing technician can be a great way to start your career in the medical field. With all the education you need and certification requirements. Additionally, it’s a great option to earn money while at school.

Martinson College was established to be a vital element of the industry’s ongoing struggle to improve the standards of Central Services and Sterile Processing Departments (CS/SPD) in healthcare institutions across the globe, particularly in the United States. Our objective is to educate the community about the necessity of reusable medical device sterilization, decontamination, and reprocessing.