How much does a certified sterile processing tech make? The average salary for a certified sterile processing tech is $41,824 per year.
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Job Description
A Certified Sterile Processing Tech is responsible for decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment. They ensure that surgical instruments are properly sterilized and that they meet all safety standards. Certified Sterile Processing Techs typically work in hospitals and medical clinics.
What does a certified sterile processing tech do?
A certified sterile processing technician is responsible for the safe handling, decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical equipment. This position plays a vital role in protecting patients from infection and ensuring that surgical instruments are clean and safe to use.
Certified sterile processing technicians work in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and other medical facilities. They typically work full time, although some facilities may offer part-time or weekend hours. The job can be physically demanding, and technicians may be required to lift heavy equipment or stand for long periods of time.
Most certified sterile processing technicians have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some jobs may require certification from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). Sterile processing technicians must be detail oriented and able to follow instructions carefully. They must also be able to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
What are the responsibilities of a certified sterile processing tech?
A certified sterile processing tech is responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing surgical instruments. They also assemble surgical instrument sets and maintain equipment.
Education and Certification
An associate degree is the minimum level of education required for the certification process, although most employers prefer certified sterile processing techs to have a bachelor’s degree. The certification process requires passing an exam administered by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution.
What education is required to become a certified sterile processing tech?
In order to become a certified sterile processing technician, you will need to complete a certification program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These programs typically take between 6 and 12 months to complete, and they will prepare you for a career in sterile processing.
What is the certification process for sterile processing techs?
Sterile processing techs are certified by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). There are three levels of certification:
-Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)
-Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
-Certified Central Service Technician (CCST)
To become a certified sterile processing tech, you must pass an exam administered by either the CBSPD or IAHCSMM. The exams are identical; however, you can only take the exam administered by the organization with which you are seeking certification.
Salary
The median annual salary for a certified sterile processing tech was $47,000 as of May 2019, with a range between $43,000 and $51,000. The median hourly wage was $21.63. Salaries for the lowest 10 percent were less than $36,000, and the highest 10 percent made more than $59,000.
How much does a certified sterile processing tech make?
The median hourly wage for a certified sterile processing tech is $18.26, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for all sterile processing techs, regardless of certification, is slightly lower, at $17.83 per hour.
What are the salary ranges for certified sterile processing techs?
In order to become a certified sterile processing tech, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete on-the-job training or a certificate program. Once you are certified, your salary will depend on your experience, education, and location.
The median salary for a certified sterile processing tech is $43,000 per year. The salary range for these positions is $35,000-$52,000 per year. The top 10% of earners make more than $52,000 per year, while the bottom 10% make less than $35,000 per year.
salaries vary by state. For example, the median salary in California is $48,000 per year, while the median salary in Texas is $41,000 per year. The cost of living also plays a role in how much you can expect to earn. For example, the median salary in New York City is $56,000 per year but the cost of living is also much higher than other parts of the country.
The best way to earn a higher salary as a certified sterile processing tech is to gain more experience and education. Those with associate’s degrees or bachelor’s degrees often earn higher salaries than those with just on-the-job training or certificate programs. Sterile processing techs who have been working in the field for many years often earn higher salaries than those who are just starting out.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for certified sterile processing techs is very positive. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for these professionals will grow by 18% through 2026. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging population and the increasing number of surgical procedures being performed are the main factors driving this growth.
What is the job outlook for certified sterile processing techs?
The job outlook for certified sterile processing techs is positive. Employment of sterile processing techs is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Sterile processing techs will be needed to clean, disinfect, and sterilize medical instruments and supplies.
There will be a need for sterile processing techs in hospitals, surgical centers, and other healthcare facilities as the baby-boom population ages and the demand for medical services increases. In addition, as new medical technologies are developed, more sterile processing techs will be needed to clean and sterilize these new instruments.
What are the projected job growth rates for certified sterile processing techs?
The outlook for jobs in the medical field is strong, and that includes positions for certified sterile processing techs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs in this field will grow much faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade.
There is a growing demand for sterile processing techs as hospitals and other medical facilities expand their services and replace aging equipment. In addition, new surgical procedures that require sterile instruments are being developed, and this will also create more jobs for certified sterile processing techs.
The BLS projects that the number of jobs for certified sterile processing techs will grow by 21 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in about 4,700 new jobs during this 10-year period.
