Sterile Processing Technician Schools In Kentucky – Find Programs
If you are seeking information on becoming a certified sterile processing technician or central service technician in Kentucky, you have come to the right place.
This article is a guide to licensure, certifications, educational programs, job prospects, and salary expectations designed to help aspiring SPTs before they enter the job market.
Armed with this information, you’ll be able to join the ranks of sterile processing technicians in the healthcare industry and enjoy a fulfilling career.
Licensing Requirements In Kentucky
Most states in the US don’t have requirements for sterile processing technicians or central service technicians. However, to build a career in sterile processing in Kentucky you will likely need some sort of certification.
Some employers will take on candidates with a GED or high school diploma and provide training. Learning “on the job,” however, can make it harder to conquer technical basics compared to the experience of sterile processing technician grads.
Certification
While you don’t need to be certified to work in central sterile processing, most employers prefer some sort of certification. The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), formerly known as the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), offers certification at five different levels.
For a sterile processing technician, it’s best to do the introductory certification, consisting of a written exam and 400 hours of supervised training.
It’s recommended you do the 400 hours of training before sitting for the exam. However, there is also a provisional certification whereby you take the exam and then do the 400 hours within six months of passing.
The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and you have three hours to complete it. Taking a course at one of the sterile processing technician schools in Kentucky is the best way to prepare.
If you have enough experience in sterile processing, however, it’s possible to take the exam and pass the first time. There is also a self-study option with guides from the HSPA website.
The exam covers the following:
- Sterilization processes
- Customer relations
- Cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection
- Sterile storage and inventory management
- Preparation and packaging
- Documentation and record maintenance
- Patient care equipment
Getting certified can help you to go further in a variety of sterile processing technician careers.
Best Education Programs
Penn Foster-Online
One good option is studying through Penn Foster, which offers a two-month Sterile Processing Technician Training course. It’s a self-study program and you have flexible hours; most candidates take around three months to complete the course.
Paying for the course in full will set you back $999, but there is a monthly option billed at $59 per month for a total of $1,199.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Another online option is the Central Sterile Processing Course from West Kentucky Community and Technical College. It’s a self-study program whereby you access the materials and tests online. There are 144 contact hours in total.
The fees are currently $1,395 and most candidates are able to complete the course in 16 weeks. This training provides learners with a solid grounding to build their sterile processing technician careers.
Outlook On Sterile Processing Technician Jobs
The number of sterile processing technician jobs in the US is predicted to steadily increase over the coming years.
So, people who are passionate about healthcare should definitely consider embarking on sterile processing technician careers.
This growth should hopefully lead to the establishment of more sterile processing technician schools in Kentucky.
Salaries
The salaries for sterile processing technician jobs vary based on your credentials. The mean yearly salary of sterile processing techs is about $42,000, but top earners can make as much as $68,000 if they complete the right sterile processing technician program and apply in a top-paying state.
In Kentucky, the mean salary for sterile processing technician grads is about $37,000.
Where To Find Work
There should be work opportunities for a sterile processing technician at any medical facility. This includes:
- Hospitals
- Ambulatory surgical centers
- Dental offices
- Surgery centers
- GP offices
For the highest-paid opportunities, your best bet is to look in and around Lexington and Louisville. Both cities have fantastic predicted sterile processing job growth.
FAQs
What states pay the most for sterile processing technician roles?
The two highest-paid states for a job in sterile processing are California and Washington, D.C.
Is the exam to get certified as a sterile processing technician hard?
It’s difficult, and that’s why it’s recommended that you gain a lot of experience before you take the sterile processing certification exam.
What is the career path for a sterile processing technician?
Sterile processing technician grads can progress into management positions or gain enough experience to work in more specialized facilities.
Sources:
https://myhspa.org/certification/get-certified/crcst-application.html