Sterile Processing Technician Schools In New Hampshire – Find Programs
Sterile processing technicians, also known as medical equipment preparers, provide a crucial service to the healthcare industry. The role of a sterile processing technician is predominantly centered around sterilization and decontamination.
In addition to the sterile processing of surgical instruments and patient care equipment, processing technicians control the inventory of medical and surgical supplies.
Requirements For Sterile Processing In New Hampshire
As with many other states, New Hampshire does not have any requirements for those working as sterile processing technicians.
That being said, it is beneficial for prospective processing technicians to acquire some sort of education or certification within that field.
Holding a sterile processing qualification can help those at the start of their sterile processing technician careers and improve their overall job outlook.
Certifications For Sterile Processing Technicians In New Hampshire
Acquiring a technician certification can be done at a national or international healthcare sterile processing association.
The US recognizes two main accredited associations: the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) and the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
The certification through HSPA might be more appealing to prospective technicians due to its status as an international association. The qualification they offer is to become a Certified Registered Central Service Technician.
To qualify for the national exam, candidates must have hands-on experience in a clinical setting. HPSA requires 400 hours of clinical training to be completed in the five years leading up to the exam, or six months after taking it.
Certificate Programs And Sterile Processing Technician Schools In New Hampshire
TheUniversity of New Hampshire offers a sterile processing technician program that will help students prepare to take the HPSA Certified Registered Central Service Technician exam.
This is a non-competitive, open-enrollment program that has 190 hours of coursework to be completed within one year. The only prerequisite is a high school diploma or equivalent.
In addition to covering theory pertaining to sterile processing, the program provides students with the 400 hours of clinical training needed to sit the CRST. Students can expect to learn:
- Infection control & decontamination regulations
- Disinfection processes
- Instrumentation identification
- Instrument prep & packing
- Tray assembly
- Sterile storage & inventory management
A prospective sterile processing technician can attend Concord Hospital (CH) or Great Bay Community College(GBCC) to study surgical technology (ST).
The GBCC program is a full two-year associate’s degree, while CH only offers an approved training program.
Students enrolled in either surgical technology program can expect to cover the following topics:
- Anatomy & physiology
- Medical terminology
- Microbiology
- Sterilization processes of surgical instrumentation
- Assistant surgical services in the operating room
- Basic surgical & medical procedures
- Identification & handling of specialized equipment
The main difference between being a sterile processing technician and surgical technician is that ST focuses on surgical procedures and surgical instruments. This is in addition to the sterilization process of medical instruments and equipment.
New Hampshire Salary Range
A sterile processing technician living in New Hampshire can expect to earn an average annual income of $39,760. This is approximately an hourly rate of $19.11 (U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is a bit lower than the national annual average of $42,420.
More populated metropolitan areas have more sterile processing technician jobs available, and offer higher salaries. For example, a sterile processing technician in Portsmouth had an average annual income of $57,310 in 2021, while Manchester’s average was $56,940.
Work Opportunities And Career Outlook In New Hampshire
There are more sterile processing technician jobs in the urban areas of New Hampshire. Nashua employed the most sterile processing techs in 2021, but that may be due to its close proximity to the highly populated city of Boston, MA.
Having a verified certification will likely help processing techs/surgical techs avoid entry-level jobs in New Hampshire. Being qualified could open up more upper-level employment opportunities in the healthcare field that offer better pay. Training at any of the sterile processing technician schools in New Hampshire will be beneficial to those hoping to enter the field.
FAQs
Is there a lot of paperwork in a job as a sterile processing technician?
Yes. Sterile processing technician jobs entail meticulous note-taking and admin.
Do I need a strong math/science background to become a sterile processing technician?
Only basic mathematics is needed to be a sterile processing technician. If you are hoping to become a certified surgical technologist, you will be required to take several mathematics, biology and chemistry classes.
Sources
https://myhspa.org/certification/get-certified/crcst-application.html
https://www.cbspd.net/surgical-instrument-specialist/