What Exactly Does a Sterile Processing Technician Do?

You’re thorough, detail-oriented, and like to ensure things are done right the first time. You have an interest in the healthcare field and want to join a growing industry. Here’s how Ashworth can help you take the next steps toward becoming a vital member of a hospital or surgery center with our Sterile Processing Career Diploma program.

What’s a sterile processing technician

In addition to being detail-oriented, you’re careful and consider safety and cleanliness a priority. As a sterile processing technician, your best qualities will be put to use as you clean and sterilize surgical instruments and various other medical tools. Your job is one of the most important. Without sterile processing technicians, hospitals and surgery centers would have a hard time functioning and many more patients would contract infections or diseases from unclean instruments. The healthcare field is one of the fastest-growing industries. And with a faster than average job growth, as a sterile processing technician you’ll be entering a booming field. With a median salary of $36,240, earning a sterile processing certificate can allow you to seek higher wages from employers.

How do I become a sterile processing technician?

Working as a sterile processing technician requires an understanding of medical terminology, sterilization methods, infection control and more. Our certification preparation curriculum starts with the basics you’ll need to know. You’ll complete courses such as

• Bloodborne Pathogens and HIPAA Regulations. In this lesson, you’ll learn the definition of bloodborne pathogens and common bloodborne pathogens. It’ll also cover HIPAA privacy and security rules and their implications in the sterile processing setting.
• Introduction to Sterile Processing. You’ll receive an introduction to the concepts, processes, skills, responsibilities, and standards requirements of sterile processing. You’ll also review basic anatomy, physiology, concepts of microbiology and microorganisms types related to the duties of sterile processing technicians.
• Quality Assurance, Inventory Management, and Roles of Central Service. This lesson will cover monitoring and recordkeeping practices, established quality assurance practices for sterile processing operations, the importance of inventory management, and the role of the central service department in supporting ancillary departments.
• Essential Workplace Technologies. In this lesson, you’ll review common workplace technology related to computing and communication, including common operating systems, software applications for word processing, and spreadsheets, as well as mobile communication tools.

Our career diploma program helps prepare aspiring technicians for their certification and the program can be completed in as few as four months. The sterile processing technician certification prep includes the cost of the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Certification exam*.

Learn the skills you need to become a sterile processing tech

Our program will help prepare you to sit for the CRCST and for entry-level work as a sterile processing technician. If you’re ready to enter the growing healthcare field then grow your skills with Ashworth College by calling an Admissions Advisor at .

*The cost of the certification exam will be reimbursed to the student once proof of payment for the exam is received and reviewed by Ashworth College. Certification exam prerequisites vary. Please check with IAHCSMM for their requirements.