Sterile Processing Technician Schools In Delaware – Find Programs
If you are interested in a position in the healthcare sector but weren’t able to make it into medical school, then there are still a few opportunities for you to pursue. For instance, you could become a sterile processing technician.
While you won’t be working directly with patients, your job will be just as important. Sterile processing technicians are in charge of cleaning, processing, sterilizing, storing, assembling, and distributing medical supplies.
This may not sound like a very important role, but unsterilized medical equipment can pose a huge risk to patients, as it can cause infection and transmit diseases.
If you live in Delaware and want to become a sterile processing technician, then you can follow our guide below to figure out what you need to do.
Licensing Requirements In Delaware
There aren’t any strict statewide requirements to become a sterile processing technician in Delaware. However, the majority of employers expect you to have postsecondary training in sterile processing.
While it is possible to find some employers that will allow you to train on the job, they are few and far between. To make it into a sterile processing technician training program, you will need at least a high school diploma or a GED.
How To Get Sterile Processing Technician Certification In Delaware
You don’t actually need certification to become a sterile processing technician in Delaware. Despite this, you will likely not be considered for a position if you don’t get certification, so it will help you in the job market.
You can become certified by passing a test through one of two national organizations. The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD), or the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
If you become certified through the HSPA, you will be a Certified Central Service Technician (CRCST), and if you go through the CBSPD you will become a Sterile Processing Department Technician (SPDT).
Best Sterile Processing Technician Education Programs In Delaware
In Delaware, you can choose to receive your training from a training program, which will last a year, or you can complete at degree at a community college.
These courses will cover things like:
- Medical terminology
- Sterile processing regulations
- Infection control
- Medical equipment packaging
Interestingly, no community college in Delaware offers a sterile processing department technician course. You can only go through a surgical technology program. This is not an issue, though, as both courses are very similar and will provide you with the training you need to pass the CRCST exam.
It is important to note that if you want to become a Certified Surgical Technologist, you will need to take a different exam. Passing the CRCST exam, on the other hand, will make you a Certified Registered Central Service Technician.
The best sterile processing education options in Delaware are:
Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Tech is in Dover, Delaware, and offers an associate degree in surgical technology. The program lasts for two years and is comprised of science courses like pharmacology and anatomy, but also provides training in surgical technology.
Harris School of Business
Harris School of Business is also located in Dover, Delaware, and offers a surgical technology program. The program covers topics like medical law and ethics, sterilization procedures, and medical tools.
Salary Expectations
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average annual salary for sterile processing technicians was $42,420. This roughly translates to about $20.40 an hour.
This is not guaranteed, though, as your salary will ultimately depend on your employer, how much experience you have, and the amount of training you have.
Job Outlook
Sterile processing technicians are in high demand in all of the states in the US, so if you go through a training program and gain certification, you should find a job relatively easily.
The US Bureau of Labour Statistics has also projected that employment opportunities for medical equipment preparers will increase in the years to come. The USBLS has noted that there will be a 6% increase in these roles by 2031.
Where To Find Work As A Sterile Processing Technician In Delaware
Sterile processing technician jobs can normally be found at:
- Hospitals
- Outpatient surgical centers
- Central sterile processing departments
- Medical companies
- Private physician’s practices
- Surgery centers
In Delaware, you will mainly find sterile processing technician jobs at hospitals. However, you may also be able to find opportunities at the practices of dentists and oral surgeons.
FAQs
What is the difference between a surgical technologist and a sterile processing technician?
Sterile processing technicians mainly focus on preparing and sterilizing surgical instruments, but surgical technologists generally get a lot more involved. A surgical technologist will often be present in the operating room and will also help prepare it.
They are often tasked with passing surgical instruments to doctors and catering to their needs throughout a procedure.
Is working as a sterile processing technician stressful?
No, not particularly. Sterile processing technicians often have high workloads, but these roles are a lot less stressful than many other positions in the healthcare sector. This is because sterile processing technicians do not deal with patients directly.
How many hours do sterile processing technicians work?
Sterile processing techs generally work 40-hour weeks, which is similar to many other jobs.
Sources
https://sterileprocessingtech.org/de/