Processing Technician Schools In West Virginia – Find Programs
Sterile processing technicians carry out a vital role within the healthcare system. They’re responsible for sterilizing medical equipment and assisting with infection prevention. The job can be rewarding both professionally and financially.
We’re going to examine the best sterile processing technician schools in West Virginia where you can learn your trade, and give yourself the best chance of securing a job.
Licensing Requirements In West Virginia
As with most states, West Virginia doesn’t require sterile processing technicians to be licensed in order to work in the field. Still, the sterile processing department you work in will typically have an internal review process and you will be given lots of guidance from one or more licensed professionals.
Do You Need Certification To Be A Sterile Processing Technician In West Virginia?
The state of West Virginia also has no requirements for certification for you to start working as a sterile processing technician. However, if you start applying for sterile processing technician jobs without any accreditation you’ll find it harder to secure work.
Most employers require you to have some form of accreditation or formal training before they’ll consider hiring you. There are several options to choose from when it comes to certification. To make the right choice, you need to consider what your long-term career goals are.
For instance, if you want to go into surgical technology at some point then you should consider enrolling in a surgical technology program that will result in you becoming a certified surgical technologist. However, there are plenty of options for simply becoming a certified sterile processing technician.
The most recognized of these is the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) accreditation from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
To gain this, you must pass a national certification exam after completing 400 hours of hands-on experience. Or, you can take the exam first and then complete your 400 hours of experience within six months of passing the exam.
Sterile processing technician grads usually secure the best sterile processing technician jobs. This is because employers view accreditation as an indicator that you have the relevant knowledge and experience to work in the field.
Sterile processing technician majors learn everything they need to know about the sterilization procedures involved in this line of work. This includes sterilizing surgical instruments and other medical equipment.
Best Sterile Processing Technician Education Programs In West Virginia
Some sterile processing technician careers begin while the employee is already working at a healthcare facility. In these cases, they’re trained on the job and don’t enroll in a formal program. However, most prospective sterile processing technicians do receive formal training before they enter the field.
Let’s take a look at some of the best sterile processing technician schools in West Virginia.
- Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College – sterile processing technician majors at this school work towards the Central Sterile Technician Certificate. This involves 400 hours of experience and classroom learning.
- Carver Career and Technical Education Center – sterile processing technician grads from this institution graduate with a wealth of knowledge. The school offers a Surgical Technology certificate that will easily prepare you for both sterile processing and surgical technology careers.
- Martinsburg College – students at this school enroll in the Surgical Instrument Processing Certificate program. Some of the things they learn include infection prevention, anatomy and physiology, and inventory management.
- James Rumsey Technical Institute – this school doesn’t have a sterile processing technician program but it does offer a surgical technology program. In this course, you’ll learn how to work in an operating room and how to decontaminate medical tools.
Job Outlook & Salary Projections For Sterile Processing Technicians In West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a sterile processing technician in West Virginia is $37,670. This is lower than the national mean annual salary which is $42,420. Sterile processing technician careers in other states, such as California, tend to be more financially rewarding.
Still, the job outlook for sterile processing technicians in West Virginia is positive. Most predictions show that the job market within this field will continue to grow steadily over the coming years.
Where To Find Work
The most common places where sterile processing technicians are employed in West Virginia are:
- Aureus Medical Group
- Workforce West Virginia
- Thomas Health System
- American Traveler
- St. Mary’s Medical Center
- WVU Medicine
You can apply to these institutions directly or search for jobs on job sites such as Indeed.
FAQs
Is it physically demanding to be a sterile processing technician?
Yes, being a sterile processing technician is a physically demanding job. You’ll typically be on your feet for eight hours a day. When you apply for a job, the employer will usually assess whether you’ll be able to withstand the physical demands of the work.
How long does it take to complete a sterile processing technician education program?
The length of sterile processing education programs varies widely between institutions. Some take as little as six weeks and some last for several months. There are also online programs where you can work at your own pace.
Sources
https://sterileprocessingtech.org/wv/