Sterile Processing Technician
Gain industry certification as a Sterile Processing Technician and ultimately work in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics and other healthcare facilities. Watch our program sneak peek below!
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Some MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment and ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
These restrictions may not apply to students taking programs through an employer, academic or government-sponsored model – including MyCAA and Army, Air Force or Coast Guard.” Credentialing Assistance. To determine eligibility, please confirm with your sponsor or review our military spouse MyCAA-approved or Military Credentialing Assistance-approved programs
Watch our Sterile Processing Technician Program Sneak Peek!
MedCerts programs are developed with collaboration from our in-house production team, industry-recognized subject matter experts and our education technology design team. From interactive simulations, interviews with real world experts, game based learning and more, our Instructional Design education model is created to meet the needs of every type of learner.
Is Sterile Processing Technician Training Right For You?
Take The MedCerts Online Career Training Readiness Quiz
This fun, online quiz takes just 3 minutes to complete and provides you with a personalized report to find out if short-term online career training is right for you. The report identifies your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Sterile Processing Technician Training Online
MedCerts Tuition Advantage
We believe everyone should have access to higher education. With the option to pay in full, break down payments or utilize government grant funding, we help expand that access.
Monthly Payment Options as low as
$
346
Payment Plans for Every Student
Talk with an Education Consultant to pick the perfect payment plan, from paying in full to installments with interest rates from 0-12%.
Total Tuition
$
4,000
Pay in Full
The total tuition can be paid immediately or through a number of grant-funded or monthly payment plan options.
No Credit Check
MyCAA, Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance/COOL and Workforce Grants
MedCerts offers financial aid options through these government grant-funded programs – MyCAA, Workforce Funding (including WIOA), and Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance or COOL funding for the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. Those eligible include Military Spouses; active duty Army, Reserves, and National Guard members; active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air Force National Guard, and US Space Force; active duty Coast Guard and SELRES members (enlisted and officers); or workforce-funded qualifying job seekers. Speak to an Education Consultant to see if you qualify.
What Does a Sterile Processing Technician Do?
39,398
Entry Level Jobs in the US
All available job and salary information is from Burning Glass Labor Insights and is updated annually to reflect industry changes.
- Identify central service workflows processes from cleaning, decontamination, preparation and packaging to sterilization and storage of surgical instruments and equipment
- Describe the importance of manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU), infection control and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout central service areas and their impact on personnel and patient safety
- Differentiate methods for quality control and assurance and the necessity of central service process documentation
- Discuss compliance standards and the role of HIPAA, OSHA, CDC, FDA, ANSI, AAMI and other regulating agencies
Enrollment Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Web browser with internet connection
- Course registration & payment
MEDCERTS-COVERED MATERIALS*
- Expert-led video based training
- Textbook: Central Service Technician Manual
- Competency assessments
- National Certification exam fee
STUDENT SERVICES
- Dedicated Student Success Advisors
- Tailored support based on performance & behavior
- Exam preparation process
- 1 yr. post-program access to Career Center & Career Coaches
CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a CS (Central Services) department.
*The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by MedCerts. They are not included in the tuition costs and the student is not liable for any costs or fees related to the above materials.
Sterile Processing Technician
Job Opportunities
$26,000 – $45,000
Estimated Salary
$26,000 – $45,000
Estimated Salary
Entry Level
$26,000 – $45,000
Estimated Salary
Disclaimers
- Students residing in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Tennessee – these states require that Central Service Technicians become certified within a state-mandated period of time after employment (range from 1.5 – 3 years). This is NOT a barrier to enrollment for students but should be reviewed with an Education Consultant at the time of enrollment.
- While MedCerts training and related target certifications may be accepted and/or approved by your state of residency, employers reserve the right to dictate prerequisite education, experience, or certification/licensure requirements for their positions. We strongly advise students to research target job posts from area employers and relevant state requirements, barriers, or restrictions prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility upon graduation.
FAQs for MedCerts’ Online Sterile Processing Technician Certification Training Program
A Sterile Processing Technician is a professional responsible for the decontamination, inspection, packaging and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical devices. They ensure that all reusable medical supplies used in surgeries and other medical procedures are cleaned and sterilized according to industry standards and regulations.
The career outlook for Sterile Processing Technicians is positive, with an expected job growth of 8% over the next ten years. This growth is driven by the increasing need for healthcare services and the critical role of infection prevention in healthcare settings.
The average salary for a Sterile Processing Technician is $44,940. Salaries can vary based on experience, location and the specific healthcare facility.
To start your career journey as a Sterile Processing Technician, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a formal training program such as MedCerts, pass the CRCST exam offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, and complete a minimum of 400 hours of hands-on experience in the following areas within 6 months of passing the CRCST exam
- Decontamination (120 hours)
- Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
- Preparing and Storing Instruments (120 hours)
- Storage and Distribution (24 hours)
- Sterilization and Disinfection (96 hours)
- Equipment (16 hours)
In the online Sterile Processing Technician certification training program, you will learn:
- Central service workflow processes from cleaning and decontamination to sterilization and storage.
- The importance of following the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU), infection control and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Methods for quality control, assurance and the necessity of process documentation.
- Compliance standards and the role of regulating agencies like HIPAA, OSHA, CDC, FDA, ANSI and AAMI.
To enroll in the MedCerts Sterile Processing Technician program, you will need a high school diploma or GED, a web browser with an internet connection and course registration & payment.
The cost of the Sterile Processing Technician training program is $4,000. The cost includes all of your materials and certification exam fees for the CRCST examination.
MedCerts offers various payment plans for the Sterile Processing Technician certification training program, in order to make education accessible for all. These include options for monthly payment plans as low as $346 and several government grant funding options.
While MedCerts does not offer financial aid, students may be eligible for options through government grant-funded programs like:
The online Sterile Processing Technician certification class should be completed in 14 weeks if committing 15-20 hrs of coursework per week.
The Sterile Processing Technician program is structured around expert-led video training, textbooks and competency assessments. It includes interactive simulations and a high level of interactivity to ensure students are well-prepared for their roles. The program is designed to cater to different learning styles, ensuring a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of surgical technology
MedCerts includes exam fees and preparation materials in the program cost. The program is tailored to prepare students for the CRCST exam. Additionally, MedCerts students are provided access to a Student Success Advisor team, Subject Matter Experts and Career Coaches to assist with exam prep.
The MedCerts online Sterile Processing Technician certification training program includes expert-led video training, competency assessments and MedCerts-covered materials including the national certification exam fee. Students also receive support from dedicated Student Success Advisors and Career Services Advisors on behalf of Student Services.
Some MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment and ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
We’re not institutionally accredited as a training provider, but the certification you’ll earn in this program is accredited through the exam-issuing authority, the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. So while our school itself doesn’t hold accreditation, you’ll earn an accredited certification upon passing your national exam.
Upon completion of this program, students wishing to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician exam will be required to complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in the following areas within 6 months of passing the CRCST exam. Certifications are issued once the exam(s) have been passed and clinical requirements are met. Students are responsible for locating and securing a site to fulfill the clinical requirements of the program. MedCerts does not guarantee or provide clinical sites for students, but resources are available for students to use in their search
- Decontamination (120 hours)
- Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
- Preparing and Storing Instruments (120 hours)
- Storage and Distribution (24 hours)
- Sterilization and Disinfection (96 hours)
- Equipment (16 hours)
*All available job and salary information is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, when possible, or compiled from national reported averages and is updated annually to reflect industry changes.
