{"id":120,"date":"2023-05-09T17:11:05","date_gmt":"2023-05-10T00:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scholarsacademy.kaiserpermanente.org\/alliedhealthscholars\/?page_id=120"},"modified":"2025-01-02T12:48:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T20:48:41","slug":"sterile-processing-technician","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scholarsacademy.kaiserpermanente.org\/alliedhealthscholars\/career-pathways\/sterile-processing-technician\/","title":{"rendered":"Sterile Processing Technician"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sterile Processing Technician<\/h1>\n

Sterile processing technicians are allied health professionals and essential members of the surgical team.[\/vc_column_text]Learn more<\/span><\/a> Careers<\/span><\/a> FAQs<\/span><\/a> [\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”slideInLeft” full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” full_height=”yes” remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” el_class=”header-imagebg” css=”.vc_custom_1673033094306{background-image: url(https:\/\/scholarsacademy.kaiserpermanente.org\/alliedhealthscholars\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/1283856944_Getty_RF_HiRes-scaled.jpg?id=144) !important;}” el_id=”overview”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][\/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”slideInUp” width=”1\/2″][vc_row_inner remove_bottom_col_margin=”true”][vc_column_inner el_class=”boxed”][vc_column_text]What does a sterile processing technician do?<\/b><\/p>\n

Sterile processing technicians play a critical role in preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical equipment and reusable surgical instrumentation. A sterile processing technician is responsible for and typically assigned duties performing decontamination, preparation, high-level disinfection, sterilization and distribution of surgical instruments and medical equipment throughout the surgery center, utilizing infection control and safety practices during all phases of the process.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”slideInLeft” full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” full_height=”yes” remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1683150354454{background-image: url(https:\/\/scholarsacademy.kaiserpermanente.org\/alliedhealthscholars\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/1283856863_Getty_RF_HiRes-scaled.jpg?id=145) !important;}” el_class=”header-imagebg header-imagebg-rt”][vc_column css_animation=”slideInUp” width=”1\/2″][vc_row_inner remove_bottom_col_margin=”true”][vc_column_inner el_class=”boxed”][vc_column_text]Timeline<\/strong>: <\/strong>Most employers require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Some require formal training with a reputable educational institution, which can range in time from ten weeks to two years.<\/p>\n

Career pathway and advancement:<\/strong> Sterile processing technicians can become recognized through certifications such as Certified Registered Central Service Technicians (CRCST) or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technicians (CBSPD). Over time, some can advance into leadership and also become instructors. Others may choose to continue with schooling to become Surgical Technologist. If you need additional assistance in locating a program, please look at our Resources<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

Outlook: <\/strong>Nationally, employment of sterile processing technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations[1]<\/sup><\/a>. In California, sterile processing jobs are expected to grow 13.9% between 2018-2028 (an increase of 1100 jobs. Nationally, the median annual wage for sterile processing technicians was $38,220 in May 20211<\/sup> and in California, the median annual wage in 2021 was $62,514.[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Educational Institutions:<\/strong> Here are a few academic institutions that offer programs for sterile processing technician.<\/p>\n