How Do You Get Enrolled in a Sterile Processing Technician Program?

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Most people who aspire to move into the field of sterile processing already have some type of healthcare exposure. It is not an area that is visible to the random family members lounging in the waiting room while waiting for a family member to emerge from surgery. Sterile processing technicians are definitely behind the scenes people. A sterile processing technician is someone who cleans and sterilizes used surgical instruments and other medical supplies, so they can be safely redistributed and reused on additional patients. This work is usually centralized in a special department of the medical facility.

Exposure

In order to get exposed to what really goes on in a sterile supply area, it helps to know someone who can at least walk a potential student through the process of sterilizing instruments and supplies. There may be a way to get a free tour of a sterile processing unit through colleges that offer the program. This is recommended, so these potential students can interview the real employees and get a feel for what is truly expected in this department.

Criteria

A certain type of person needs to be employed in central sterile processing departments. People of incredible character, tenacity, physical stamina, and excellent people skills will be the type of people who will succeed the most in this type of department. With the advent of lethal post-operative infections, this department has become more focus on patient care than the operating room itself.

These employees must understand the importance of their personal integrity, so they can care for patients that they never see. They must realize the consequences of a less than perfect outcome for patients who trust in the process that each and every instrument, drape and/or other supplies will be sterile, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Honesty and integrity are first and foremost.

An excellent understanding of medical instrument regulation must also be a key characteristic of sterile processing technicians. The FDA and other regulatory entities are constantly upgrading rules that must be followed to the letter and well documented. Compliance with these rules is not negotiable. Therefore, the central sterile processing technicians will be up to date with changes, new rulings, and any documentation requirements by AAMI standards, AORN, Joint Commission, and any other governing agencies.

Planning

When planning education for a program for central sterile processing technicians, it is good to research the educational facility background. Questions one might want to ask when interviewing a program might be:

•Is the program well established?
•How personable and well informed are the instructors?
•Will the instructor take personal interest in my success?
•What is the cost of the program?
•Is the program accredited so that certification may be attained upon completion?
•Where are the clinical rotations taking place and how far will I have to travel for this?
•Will I be able to lift heavy loads?
•Will I be required to take “on call” shifts?
•What will my salary compensation be for this profession?
•Am I able to work under extremely stressful situations?
•Am I able to work under stringent time constraints?

Many things should be considered when approaching a future in this profession. One must inquire about prerequisite classes and get as many academic classes as possible out of the way before starting clinical rotations. The family must be considered before, during and after this type of training because of extreme demands on the student/worker. Self-care is imperative because of a huge physical demand in lifting and sorting. Plan training for this profession is clearly important in order to be prepared for success in the field.