Job Description

A sterile processing technician regularly performs several duties, including:

Requirements for sterile processing technicians

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Employers typically require prospective sterile processing technicians to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and some on-the-job training, which teaches them various sterilization techniques and other duties. Some employers require you to complete a sterile processing program, which is usually available online and may provide you with a career diploma as a sterile technician. Some sterile processing programs require about 42 hours of in-hospital and online training. Other programs can take about four months to complete, though they may allow you up to a year to finish them.


Sterile processing technicians learn the most effective ways to clean, sterilize, store and inspect medical instrument and equipment before and after surgery. Sterile processing programs can prepare you for a career and professional certification in sterile processing and distribution. These programs may include courses in areas such as:


Preparing and delivering clean and sterilized instruments and equipment necessary for medical examinations, surgeries, medical carts and clinical procedures Sterilizing, wrapping, organizing and preparing medical equipment and surgical instruments into instrument trays for use during clinical procedures Laying out surgical gloves and gowns before each medical procedure Collecting and manually cleaning used and contaminated medical equipment, supplies and instruments for sorting and decontamination Preparing and packing decontaminated medical tools and supplies for sterilization Operating and monitoring sterilization equipment Examining supplies meticulously to ensure their cleanliness Checking and reporting any problems or issues with the sterilization equipment to surgeons or supervisors and requesting replacements Maintaining records of sterilization procedures, equipment maintenance, sterilized items and supplies Reordering medical and surgical supplies, controlling the inventory and checking expiration dates of products Removing medical waste and disposing of them appropriately Medical equipment Medical terminology Storage and distribution Surgical instruments Quality assurance Decontamination Disease control Infection prevention Sterile processing * Microbiology