Sterile Processing Technician
Program Description
The Sterile Processing Technician program prepares individuals for the field of Sterile Processing and Central Service Supply.
The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for many vital services within an operating room, health facility, decontamination room, sterile supply, etc.
Responsibilities include:
Decontamination procedures
Preparation and packaging for sterilization
Monitoring the process of steam, Ethylene Oxide, dry heat, and liquid chemical sterilization
Maintaining product sterility
Storage distribution, inspection, and inventory control of supplies, instruments, and equipment
Graduates of this program can look forward to an exciting career working in:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient surgery centers
- Contract sterilization organizations
CAREER OUTLOOK
With the growing healthcare needs of the aging population, employment of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. ¹
A sterile processing technician salary depends greatly on geographic location and level of experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups sterile processing technicians in with other “medical equipment preparers.”
Based on national estimates from May 2015, the median annual wage for medical equipment preparers was $33,330.¹
This means that half earned more than that amount, and half earned less. The typical sterile processing tech salary likely falls close to this median.
Generally speaking, starting pay for sterile processing technicians tends to be around $11 to $16 per hour and can go as high as about $24 per hour with experience. Of course, this all depends on your employer and work location.
Most full-time sterile processing techs also receive full benefits like paid vacation and health insurance.
Complete Career Outlook
¹ BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, ON THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.BLS.GOV/OES/CURRENT/OES319093.HTM (VISITED NOVEMBER 22, 2016).
More Information
What our students say? all testimonials
Clover Robinson needed stable employment. She had a fear of being unemployed as an older adult. She always loved caring for people and becoming a nurse was a dream. She enrolled in the REOC’s Licensed Practical Nursing program and found that this was her career calling!
>> Read More
Marion Taylor had some issues in her past that made it impossible for her to move forward. She came to REOC with no work history and no computer skills. She knew she needed to make a change. She enrolled in the REOC Medical Secretary program and now has the computer…
>> Read More
Nicholas Brown He had difficulty finding a career that interested him and maintaining employment. He wanted more and knew that he needed training. He found the REOC Surgical Technologist program and now says he has a career is not only interesting, but exciting.
>> Read More
