Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New York – Find Programs
Sterile processing is the medical sanitization procedure that surgical instruments, medical supplies, and hospital equipment go through so that they may be safely reused in patient care.
Sterile processing technicians decontaminate equipment and handle the special sterilization processes needed to uphold infection control and avoid biohazard contamination within healthcare facilities.
Additionally, processing technicians work in equipment management and are responsible for assembling and maintaining medical equipment used in medical settings.
New York State Requirements For Sterile Processing
As is the case with many other states, New York does not have any minimum requirements or basic licensing needs for sterile processing technicians.
That being said, each healthcare facility that does sterile processing will have a licensed medical professional (a registered nurse or doctor) facilitating the sterilization procedures.
Their main role is quality assurance and their job is to ensure that minimum sanitary conditions are being upheld by the technicians processing the surgical instruments and medical equipment.
Training Programs and Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New York
To help become an official processing technician, it is worthwhile enrolling in a sterile processing technician program.
These programs are designed to provide students with the specialized skills and knowledge needed to deal with complex surgical instruments and particular medical supplies/equipment through a formal learning environment and clinical experience.
The New York Institute of Career Development is an online learning establishment that offers a self-paced certificate program. This program teaches students the basics needed to become certified medical equipment preparers.
Prospective processing technician students will gain specific knowledge in;
- identifying common pathogens
- techniques to avoid disease contraction & contamination
- classification of common and specialized surgical tools
- proper transportation and storing of equipment
- medical terminology and basic treatment practices
- identifying industry regulations
- maintaining the best level of procedural care
After the successful completion of the program, NYICD students will be able to take the nationally recognized Certified Registered Central Service Technicians exam at no extra cost.
Long Island University offers a two-course program in central service technology. It endorses students as processing technicians upon their successful completion of the course. This program does not include any nationally recognized exams or certificates. However, that can be taken separately through an accredited association.
Students of LIU’s central service technology program can expect to learn about;
- basic microbiology & infection control
- disinfecting instruments
- decontaminate & sterilize equipment
- packaging & storage of medical tools
- inventory management & distribution
The Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences (part of NYC College of Health Science) offers a part-time evening program that certifies students in becoming central service processing technicians once completed. This program prepares students to take on entry-level work in an array of healthcare facilities such as hospitals, physician or dentist offices, and outpatient clinics.
The Swedish Institute will cover topics such as;
- decontaminate & sterilize surgical instruments/medical equipment
- assemble, package, store & transport medical supplies ready for reuse
- inventory and distribution of instruments/equipment to various medical facilities
Although this program does not cover the nationally recognized Certified Registered Central Service Technicians exam in its tuition, it does prepare students to sit the exam if they wish to take it through an accredited association.
This search box can help you find more sterile processing technician schools in Long Island, New York City (Manhattan, Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn NYC, etc.), Western NY (Buffalo), Finger Lakes (Rochester), Mohawk Valley (Utica), Central NY (Syrcause), Southern Tier (Binghampton), Capital Region (Albany), Mid-Hudson (Poughkeepsie) and North Country:
Certifications for Sterile Processing Technicians
Although it is not legally required by the state of New York to have a recognized certification to work as a sterile processing technician, it can be beneficial to hold one, especially when seeking employment.
There are two associations to attain certification through. Students can either take the certification through the nationally recognized association, The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD), or through the international association, the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
Salary Range in New York
The earning potential for medical equipment preparers in the state of New York is quite high. The average annual salary is $45,840, with an hourly rate of approximately $22.04 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). This number lies above the annual national average income of $42,420.
Income opportunities are also reliant on the geographical location within New York state. Urban areas offer higher salaries in comparison to the less populated rural areas.
New York City offers the highest income with an annual average salary of $48,360. Other metropolitan areas such as Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse offer significantly less income. All three lay below the national average.
Work Opportunities And Career Outlook in New York
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that NYC holds the highest employment rate within the state of New York. As of 2021, the city employed a total of 4,920 processing technicians out of the 61,170 national number for that year.
Data also shows that north and east non-metropolitan areas of New York state host much lower employment rates. The urban areas of Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse have somewhat higher employment opportunities than the rural areas. However, they’re nowhere near the same employment rate as NYC.
FAQ
Is there a strict dress code when working as a processing technician?
Aside from wearing personal protective equipment, technicians will be asked to ensure their hair is tied back and tucked away, take off any jewelry, and not wear false nails.
Will I need to go through a criminal background check?
Yes. If you are not required to take one for admission into a formal training program, you will almost certainly need one to work in a hospital. A majority of U.S. states require healthcare workers to have one by law.
Sources
https://www.nyicd.edu/career-courses/sterile-processing
https://www.swedishinstitute.edu/central-service-processing-technician/
https://www.cbspd.net/surgical-instrument-specialist/
https://myhspa.org/certification/get-certified/crcst-application.html