How to Become a Certified Sterile Processing Technician

Are you interested in a career in sterile processing? If so, you’ll need to become a certified sterile processing technician. Here’s how you can do it.

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Introduction

Sterile processing technicians, also called SPD technicians, are responsible for sterilizing surgical instruments and other medical equipment. They typically work in hospitals, but may also work in outpatient surgery centers or dental offices. Some sterile processing technicians are certified, which may give them an advantage when seeking employment. Certification is not required in all states, however.

What is a Certified Sterile Processing Technician?

A certified sterile processing technician is a healthcare worker who is responsible for the cleaning, sterilization and organization of surgical instruments and equipment. Sterile processing technicians work in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. They may also be known as decontamination technicians, surgical technologists or central service technicians.

To become a certified sterile processing technician, you will need to complete an accredited sterile processing program and pass a national certification exam. Once you are certified, you will need to renew your certification every four years.

The Duties of a Certified Sterile Processing Technician

A certified sterile processing technician is responsible for the cleaning, decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and other medical equipment. This position requires knowledge of aseptic technique, medical device reprocessing, operation of autoclaves and other sterilization equipment, and infection prevention. Certified sterile processing technicians work in hospitals, surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities.

Most certified sterile processing technicians have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some also have completed postsecondary training in sterile processing or related field. Many states have certification programs for sterile processing technicians. In some states certification is not required but may be helpful in getting a job or advancing in one’s career.

The duties of a certified sterile processing technician include but are not limited to the following:
-Receiving dirty instruments and other medical equipment from Operating Room (OR), labor and delivery, outpatient surgery, central supply, and other areas
-Inspecting instruments and equipment to ensure that they are complete and in good working order
-Disassembling instruments
-Cleaning instruments using manual or automated methods
-Decontaminating instruments using chemical solutions
-Assembling and packaging instruments for sterilization
-Loading sterilizers such as autoclaves with instruments
-Operating sterilizers according to established protocols
-Unloading sterilizers and transferring instruments to appropriate storage areas
-Maintaining records of cleaning, decontamination, assembly, packaging, loading, unloading, and storage processes
In some cases certified sterile processing technicians may be responsible for distributing sterilized instruments and equipment to ORs, labor and delivery units, outpatient surgery units, central supply departments, and other areas. They may also perform maintenance on sterilization equipment such as autoclaves.

The Educational Requirements of a Certified Sterile Processing Technician

Healthcare facilities rely on sterile processing departments (SPD) to clean and sterilize the medical instruments used in surgeries and other procedures. SPD technicians play a vital role in keeping patients safe by following detailed protocols to clean and sterilize surgical instruments. If you are detail-oriented and have a strong interest in playing a role in patient safety, becoming a certified sterile processing technician (SPT) may be the right career choice for you.

There are several ways to qualify for certification as an SPT. The most common path to certification is through a certificate or diploma program offered by a community college or technical school. Many of these programs take one year or less to complete, although some may last up to two years. Some community colleges offer programs that lead to an associate degree in sterile processing technology; however, these programs typically take two years or more to complete.

In order to be eligible for certification, you must graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam administered by either the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). Most states do not require SPTs to be licensed; however, some states have certification requirements that are similar to licensure requirements.

After successfully completing an accredited education program and passing the certification exam, you will need to renew your certification every four years. Renewal requirements typically include completing continuing education credits and paying a renewal fee.

The Certification Process of a Certified Sterile Processing Technician

There are many benefits to becoming a certified sterile processing technician. The first and most obvious is that certified sterile processing technicians earn more money than those who are not certified. In addition, certification gives you an edge when applying for jobs and can make you more marketable to potential employers.

The certification process for sterile processing technicians is overseen by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). To become certified, you must first pass a written exam and then a skills demonstration.

The written exam tests your knowledge of sterilization techniques, safety protocols, and medical terminology. The skills demonstration requires you to demonstrate your ability to safely and effectively sterilize surgical instruments.

Once you have passed both the written exam and the skills demonstration, you will be awarded the designation of Certified Sterile Processing Technician (CSPT). This designation is valid for five years, after which you must renew your certification by taking the exam again.

The Salary of a Certified Sterile Processing Technician

In order to become a certified sterile processing technician, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are no specific education requirements beyond this, but completing a certification program or training through on-the-job experience can be beneficial. After completing the necessary training, you will then need to pass an exam in order to receive your certification.

The average salary for a certified sterile processing technician is $33,000 per year. However, salaries can range from $28,000 to $38,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

The Job Outlook of a Certified Sterile Processing Technician

The Job Outlook of a Certified Sterile Processing Technician

The sterile processing technician field is expected to grow by 11% from 2018 to 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is due in part to an aging population and the need for safe and effective sterilization procedures in hospitals and other healthcare settings. If you’re interested in becoming a certified sterile processing technician (SPT), there are a few things you need to know.

First, you’ll need to complete an accredited sterile processing program. Once you’ve graduated from an accredited program, you’ll then need to pass the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution’s (CBSPD) certification exam. Once you’ve passed the exam, you’ll be a certified SPT and will be able to work in this growing field.

Conclusion

You now know the steps necessary to become a certified sterile processing technician. Once you have completed your training and certification, you will be ready to begin a rewarding career in healthcare.