Advance Your
Sterile Processing Technician
Career
INQUIRE TODAY
Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Workforce Training Specialist today!
14 Weeks
PROGRAM LENGTH
$4,000.00*
Pay in full
TUITION
*You can pay as little as $262 per month. For full payment options and different financing plans, including interest rates from external lenders, please talk to our enrollment team.
What Does A Sterile Processing Technician Do?
Sterile Processing Technicians are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of patients when it comes to a surgeon’s use of sterile surgical instruments and devices. They oversee cleaning, inspecting, testing, sterilizing, storing, and delivering devices needed for surgery in healthcare facilities.
Hospitals are the top employer of sterile processing technicians; however, they also work in dentists’ offices, outpatient care centers, and physician’s offices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Sterile Processing Technicians are placed under the same umbrella as medical equipment preparers. The BLS reports that the average annual wage in 2021 was $38,220, with the top 10% earning $60,300.
Where Does A Sterile Processing Technician Work?
Sterile Processing Technicians work in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, outpatient care centers, ambulatory services centers, dentists’ offices, and other healthcare facilities.
Requirements
High School Diploma or GED
Web browser with internet connection
Course registration & payment
Training Materials Provided
Expert-led video based training
Textbook: Central Service Technician Manual
Competency assessments
National Certification exam fee
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
Outcomes
Careers in this field are responsible for upwards of 61,000 jobs throughout the U.S. healthcare sector. According to the BLS, job listings for sterile processing technicians are expected to increase by 11.1% over the next decade.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sterile Processing Technicians, which fall under the category of medical equipment preparers, earn an average of $20.40 per hour or a yearly salary of $42,420.
Skills Learned
Upon completion of this certified Sterile Processing Technician program, you’ll learn several skills, including:
- Knowing medical terminology, disease processes, anatomy, and physiology.
- The importance of customer service, communication skills, and professionalism.
- Identifying central service workflow processes from cleaning, decontamination, preparation, and packaging to sterilization and storage of surgical instruments and equipment.
- Describing the importance of manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU), infection control, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout central service areas and their impact on personnel and patient safety.
- Differentiating methods for quality control and assurance and the necessity of central service process documentation.
- Discussing compliance standards and the role of HIPAA, OSHA, CDC, FDA, ANSI, AAMI, and other regulating agencies.
COURSES - 14 WEEKS
|
Professionalism in Allied Health |
|
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology |
|
Sterile Processing |
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN JOB POSSIBILITIES
$26,000 – $45,000
ESTIMATED SALARY
Central Service Technician
$26,000 – $45,000
ESTIMATED SALARY
Sterile Processing
Technician
$22,000 – $72,000
ESTIMATED SALARY
Central Sterile Supply Technician
CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
Upon completion of this program, you’ll be eligible to take the provisional certification exam for Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) sponsored by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
ISSUING AUTHORITY
CRCST
Certified Registered Central Service Technician
Full certification is obtained after acquiring 400 hours of hands-on sterile processing experience within six months of provisional certification. Hands-on experience provides an invaluable resource with which to better understand the standards, knowledge and practices needed to be successful in the field and on the CRCST exam.
PLEASE NOTE: Students residing in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Tennessee and Pennsylvania – these states require that Central Service Technicians become certified within a state-mandated period of time after employment (range from 1.5 – 3 years). This is NOT a barrier to enrollment for students but should be reviewed with a Workforce Training Specialist at time of enrollment.
STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN PAYMENT OPTIONS
In addition to the following payment options, we offer special corporate volume pricing. Visit the Corporate page for details.
Pay in full using any major credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Select “credit card” as your payment option.
Apply for PayPal Credit and pay zero interest if your balance is paid in full within 6-months. Complete a quick application and you’ll receive a credit decision within seconds.
Pay for your training with an education loan through Sallie Mae or Meritize.
Complete the course registration process to reserve your seat using one of these options.
Many employers have education programs or will pay for continued education! Select “Corporate Invoice” if you need an invoice to process payment through company training tuition assistance/reimbursement plans.
Download the free brochure below to your HR representative or manager and show them the benefits of gaining additional education!
Many employers have education programs or will pay for continued education! Select “Corporate Invoice” if you need an invoice to process payment through company training tuition assistance/reimbursement plans.
PROGRAM COMPARISONS
| PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT | Community College | |
|---|---|---|
|
Program & Tuition Cost
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$4,000 average
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Up to $20,000
|
|
Exam Fees, Books & Materials
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Included
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Up to $750
|
|
Job Ready In
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3–6 months
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24–48 months
|
|
Schedule Flexibility
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On-demand 24/7
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Set class schedule
|
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Travel Requirements
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None: 100% online
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On-campus classrooms
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Student Support
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Personal Advisors: text, call and email access
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Professors: scheduled office hours
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Career Coaching
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Exam-tailor + soft-skill training to build well-rounded careers
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Exam-based + prerequisites and electives to meet credit
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Content Delivery
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3D animations, immersive environments, interactive activities, game-based learning
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Professor lectures
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MEET YOUR WORKFORCE TRAINING SPECIALIST
April is your Workforce Training Specialist. She is here to help you understand your program of interest, payment options and succeed! Get in touch with April to learn more about your program, Union College and how to achieve your workforce development goals!
FAQ
Sterile processing is important because it prevents infections in healthcare settings. Handwashing, sterilization and disinfection of tools, instruments and equipment are necessary for the safety of the patient.
Sterilization technician positions can offer flexible working hours (from weekdays to nights and weekends). The exact shift requirements vary based on the type of facility. A hospital will most likely have evening and overnight shifts available. Since there are so many places to find work, you should be able to find the schedule that is the best fit for you.
The time it takes to become a Sterile Processing Technician is relatively short for a career in health care. You can earn a good salary, often with excellent benefits, without going into much educational debt. The medical field is growing very rapidly, so jobs will continue to be in demand.
Most Sterile Processing Technicians have a fair amount of autonomy, so you’ll need to be good at keeping yourself on track while completing tasks. Attention to detail is also critical for this career, as sterile processing technicians must adhere to strict infection-control procedures to prevent potentially life-threatening consequences. Finally, you’ll need sufficient manual dexterity to handle sharp instruments and operate sterilization equipment, and the interpersonal skills to work well with others in an occasionally fast-paced environment.
Sterile Processing Technicians are responsible for sterilizing and disinfecting all equipment as well as packaging tools used for medical procedures. The Surgical Technologist assists surgical teams while ensuring patient safety before, during and after surgery. They’re also responsible for preparing the operating room and the patient before and after surgery.
Interested In Another Program?
Union College, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, provides the highest quality training in order to best serve students and surrounding communities. Our specialized career training programs provide up-to-date and in-demand skills, preparation and certification, ensuring that everyone who completes our programs is of the highest caliber.
