Career Path Highlight: The Role of a Sterile Processing Technician

Application to become a sterile processing student typically requires a high school diploma, solid communication skills, and competent knowledge of medical terms, chemistry, and biology. The working conditions of sterile processing technicians can be extremely fast-paced and challenging, so it is vital that those entering this field have the ability to communicate well with others.

Sterile processing technicians give a crucial service within the environment of healthcare. There is an enormous variety and quantity of surgical instruments and medical tools necessary for surgical treatments, and sterile processing technicians are responsible for maintaining this equipment.

Below are typical sterile processing technicians’ responsibilities, including infection control and aseptic methods to . . .

• Sort and sterilize carts, trays, instruments, equipment, and supplies.
• Choose and implement proper cleaning techniques and sterilization procedures.
• Perform and maintain sterilization, cleaning and sanitizing equipment.
• Prepare instrument sets for surgical treatments and case carts for emergency and booked surgical treatment.
• Inventory, choose, and restock supplies to surgical/medical carts on a regular basis while supervising quota levels and alterations in demand levels.
• Report troubles concerning accessibility of instruments and supplies.
• Use computer technology to order supplies, and maintain and process records.
• Follow safety measures to lessen the danger of exposure to infectious diseases as well as harm from hot surfaces.
• Lift items weighing up to ten kilograms.

Sterile processing technicians perform in busy healthcare working environments that characteristically operate twenty four hours a day. These work shifts can comprise holidays, weekends, and nights. Some of the environments that sterile processing technicians are commonly engaged in are:

• Hospitals
• Nuclear plants
• Offices of private practitioners or doctors
• Disease control facilities
• Testing and screening centers
• Scientific research laboratories
• Chemical facilities
• Operating and surgical rooms
• Dental clinics
• And other health care institutions