Sterile Processing Technician
Quick Facts
Median Salary$45,213
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+25.37%
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What They Do
A Sterile Processing Technician sterilizes, cleans, and prepares medical equipment for use. May also help install and repair large equipment. Works in a hospital or other healthcare facility.
Core Tasks:
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
- Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
- Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
- Record sterilizer test results.
- Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
- Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
- Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
- Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.
- Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
- Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
- Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.
What to expect as a Sterile Processing Technician
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
58% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Sterile Processing Technician related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
2617 openings for Sterile Processing Technicians
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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