Introduction
The medical field is populated by technicians working in sterile processing who collaborate with other techs to sterilize, pack and dispense medications. They ensure that medications and other sterile items are properly stored, packed, and ready for dispensing by following all procedures. According to Indeed.com, the tech in sterile processing technician can earn an annual salary of up to $43K and make an average of around $30K per year.
What is a Sterile Processing Technician?
A sterile processor technician is a medical technologist who designs and manufactures equipment for medical surgical procedures.
Sterile processing technicians are accountable for ensuring the sterilizability of surgical instruments like scissors 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 average annual salary of a Sterile Processing Technician?
According to Indeed.com According to Indeed.com, the median salary for technicians who process sterile materials is $19.69 an hour. That means you can make between $27k and $31K per year, based on the amount you are working and your level of expertise.
You could earn more as a sterilize processing technician by working for a bigger firm that has more customers and provides opportunities for training. This can increase the likelihood of being promoted within the company or to a different department that offers more growth opportunities (such as customer service).
How do you become Sterile Processing Technicians: Qualifications for Education and Training
To become a sterile processor tech, you must complete the requirements for education and training that are set by the healthcare facilities in your state.
- Training: Most states require that applicants undergo a formal training course before being certified as technicians for sterile processing. The training programs usually last one year and include medical terminology, anatomy, microbiology, and other related topics.
- Education Candidates must pass written tests that examine subjects covered in the classroom portion of their studies to become certified as sterilize processing technicians in each state.
Licenses and certificates for Sterile Processing Technicians
There are a variety of certifications offered to technicians who process sterile materials. There are a variety of certifications offered by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation that includes:
- Certified Professional surgical technician (CPSC–SCT)
- Certified Operating Room Assistant (COOR)
- Certified Operating Room Specialist (CORS).
You must attend an educational course and take written and practical tests to obtain your certification. The most effective way to become certified is to clear both the practical and written exams simultaneously. But you’ll lose your certification permanently if you fail one of these tests twice within five years. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It simply means you’ll be under pressure to meet this goal before it’s taken away!
Sterile Processing Technician Career Outlook
The sector of sterile processing technicians is expanding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 17600 additional sterile processing technicians by 2026 (an increase of 76 percent). According to the BLS will pay around 36 dollars an hour, based on the location you work in and your level of expertise. However, the pay can differ based on your location and your employment firm.
There are many options to become a technician in sterilize processing.
- Take classes at an accredited school like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C4t-4YV7wQ. Plus, you could earn money while you are in school!
- When you are an apprentice, you’ll work with an individual who has been educated or is familiar with how it functions. This allows you to demonstrate the process before they go off. This means more money will come into your account monthly and not be used to pay rent.
One of the best ways to break into medical practice is to be a sterile processing technician.
You’ll work in a hospital environment as a sterilize processor technician. The skills you have acquired can be utilized in various settings and with various people. You’ll be able to secure your job provided you have the proper training and certification.
Conclusion
A sterile processing technician could be a fantastic way to enter the field of medicine. It’s an excellent way to make money while still at school since it comes with all the required qualifications and training.
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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