Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Wisconsin – Find Programs

Sterile processing technicians are often described as the heartbeat of the healthcare service. These are the professionals who clean, sterilize, install, prepare, and decontaminate surgical instruments before and after surgeries and other medical procedures. They are vital team members of any hospital’s central service department.

Search Sterile Processing Technician Programs

Get information on Sterile Processing programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

A high level of expertise is required to keep hospitals and care facilities sanitized and safe. Aspiring technicians usually study for a post-secondary diploma to enter the sterile processing field.  

Here is a brief guide to the qualifications needed to work in this exciting and rewarding profession.  

Sterile Processing Technician Careers in Wisconsin

When choosing a career, it is natural to want to know about future job prospects in your area. The career outlook for sterile processing technician grads in Wisconsin is promising. There is a growing demand for sterile processing technicians (the job is also known as central service technician). 

In Wisconsin, job demand for central service technicians is projected to grow at around 5% annually for the next 7 years. National demand is expected to be even higher. 

Dental surgeries, clinics, and medical laboratories hire all year round. There are almost always job vacancies in hospitals.

There is great scope for career advancement in sterile processing and patient care services as well. Senior technicians may manage the entire sterilization operation of a large hospital or laboratory.

How Much Can a Central Service Technician earn in Wisconsin?

Working as a central service technician can be fulfilling and rewarding. The annual mean salary for technicians in Wisconsin is around $39,000 per year. The top ten percent of practitioners in Wisconsin earn over $48,500.

Salaries across the state will vary depending on location, experience, and education. Pay is usually higher in the major centers.

Where To Find A Central Service Technician Program in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Technical College System offers training throughout the state. Tuition is flexible and affordable. The institution’s technical training is specifically tailored to industry demands.

The central service technician program is a short-term diploma that covers all aspects of sterile processing. After completing a semester course, you will have the skills to join a sterilization department. The diploma will also help you to pass a certification exam. You will have gained an excellent career foundation. 

Below is a list of affiliated Wisconsin colleges that offer sterile processing technician majors:

  • Milwaukee Area Technical College, downtown Milwaukee
  • Mid-State Technical College, Marshfield
  • Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee
  • Western Technical College, La Crosse
  • Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire

Herzing University in Milwaukee offers an online program with rolling admissions deadlines.

Do Sterile Processing Workers Need To Be Licensed in Wisconsin?

 The state of Wisconsin doesn’t require sterile processing technicians to be licensed. After completing your training, you are all set to work as a technician.

However, the profession carries great responsibility. A contaminated hospital unit has life-and-death consequences. The job is also constantly evolving due to new technology and practices. In order to maintain quality standards and best practice in the industry, there is an industry accreditation that many employers look for. 

We discuss below how you can add this certificate to your resume. Holding the certificate will almost certainly improve your job prospects and earnings potential.

Sterile Processing Technician Certification

The accredited certification for sterile processors is called the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST). It is issued by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). The certification exam covers knowledge of infection control and medical terminology. Knowledge of bloodborne pathogens and sterile processing techniques is also tested. 

Here’s the good news. The colleges listed above all prepare you to pass this exam and earn your certificate. There are at least 4 higher-level certificates you can earn as you progress in your career as a central service technician. This goes to show how dynamic and broad this exciting field is. 

FAQs

Do you need a high school diploma to study sterile processing? 

Employers usually require sterile processing technicians to have a high school diploma or equivalent. So most reputable training programs will need you to have a high school diploma or GED to enroll- though there may be exceptions.  

What is the top pay for sterile processing technicians?

In states where sterile processing technician jobs are in high demand- like California- experienced practitioners can earn over $80,000.