Introduction
The medical field is populated by technicians working in sterile processing who work together with other techs to sterilize, package, and distribute medications. They help ensure that sterile drugs and other sterile items are stored properly, safely, and securely and then packaged and distributed safely by ensuring that proper procedures are followed at each stage of the process. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a sterile processing technician can make an annual salary of up to $43K and make an average of $33K per year.
What is a Sterile Processing Technician?
A sterile processor technician is a medical technician who prepares equipment for surgical and other medical procedures.
Sterile processing technicians are accountable for ensuring the stabilizability of surgical instruments like scalpels and scalpels by cleansing them with disinfectant solutions before sterilization. They are also responsible for ensuring that the materials they prepare aren’t infected with viruses or bacteria.
What is the annual wage of a Sterile Processing Technician?
The average pay for technicians working in sterile processing is $19.69 per hour, according to Indeed.com. This means you can earn between $27K and $31K per year, depending on your experience level and how many hours you work during the week.
You can increase your income as a sterile processing technician when you work for a larger firm with more customers and training opportunities. This will increase your chances of getting promoted within the company or to a different department that offers better growth prospects (such as customer services).
How to Become Sterile Processing Technicians Education and Training Requirements
To become a technician for sterile processing, you’ll have to adhere to the educational and training requirements of the health facilities in your state.
- Training: Most states require applicants to complete an approved training course before being certified as a technician for sterile processing. The programs typically last for one year and consist of classes on medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and other topics related to the field.
- Education is part of the accreditation process to become a technologist in sterile processing in each state where it is required (this is different for each state). Candidates must also pass written exams covering materials taught in the classroom portion of their education.
The Sterile Processing Technician’s Certifications and Licensures
A wide range of certifications is for sterile processing technicians. There are many certifications provided by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation and including:
- Certified Professional surgical technician (CPSC-SCT)
- Certified Operating Room Assistant (COOR)
- Certified Operating Room Specialist (CORS).
Each certification requires you to take an educational course and pass both written and practical examinations. You can also earn your certification when you pass both exams on the first try, with no retakes. However, if you fail one exam more than twice within five years, it will be permanently removed! This isn’t necessarily a good thing. It simply means you’ll be under pressure to reach this goal before it is taken away!
Sterile Processing Technician Career Outlook
Sterile processing technician is a rapidly growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 17600 additional sterile processing technicians by 2026 (76%). The BLS also predicts that these jobs should earn around $36/hour or more depending on area and level of experience. However, this could vary depending on where and the organization you work for.
There are a variety of ways to become a sterile processing technician.
- Take classes at an accredited school like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C4t-4YV7wQ. Even better, you can be paid while attending school!
- Train as an apprentice, someone who has already been taught by themself or knows how the system is done inside and out. This way, they can show you how things work before they quit their job, which means more money in your pockets every month rather than rent because those apartment rentals aren’t cheap either!
Being a sterile processing technician is a great way for you to start your career in the medical field.
As a sterile processing technician, you can work in a medical setting. You’ll be able to apply your skills in many situations and work with different individuals. So long as you’ve completed the appropriate training and qualifications, you’ll never know what kind of job security you’ll enjoy!
Conclusion
A sterile processing technician can be a fantastic option to start your career in the field of medicine. With all the training and certification requirements, it’s a great way to make money while studying.
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.
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