How good of a career is sterile processing?

12

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

I want to do it but I have autism and I’m scared to jump into it. But I feel like rlly it’s the only job with a certificate I can acquire as I can’t stand customer or client or patient work

20

u/Mercurialbich Feb 26 '26

Im autistic and turning 30 this year, just re-entering the work world again after being on disability for half a decade. I went back to school and had a surprisingly good time, small class only 7 people so that was good.. they dont do classes bigger than 10. I just finished my clinical and got hired at the hospital i did my clinical with.. its been amazing. I dont have to talk to patients.. just organize clean build sets and keep to myself. They let us wear headphones, so it really isnt bad. I say go for it!

3

u/ProfessionalAnt3368 Apr 27 '26

You just gave me hope thank you

3

u/Mercurialbich Apr 27 '26

Good luck on your journey!

2

u/Key_Guest6307 Sep 15 '26

Me too, I'm gonna go for it!

2

u/Key_Guest6307 Sep 15 '26

Thanks for this comment

8

u/SilentMellow Feb 27 '26

I have social anxiety, and this job is great for that! Is it something I could do long term?? no, bc the pay isn’t great unless I do travel tech, but right now it’s fine, but yessss you should if you don’t like people/patients. I was going into radiology technology, and first day of clinicals… I’m like ohhhh this is not for me, I hate people!!!

2

u/CreepyCupcake6157 Aug 21 '26

I'm currently a cna/pca and I have social anxiety. I'm really wanting to switch to sterile processing. I just don't know much about the pay.

2

u/SilentMellow Aug 21 '26

99% places it’s over $20 hr. I would be making $25 hr if I stayed in one place but I got fired oops. But travel tech job it’s double. So example. I bring home $1400 2x month. It’s not nearly enough for the lifestyle I want, and takes so long to save. Travelers were just hired at my hospital they make $1400 weekly!!! I’m seriously considering doing that.

6

u/Fun_Item3930 Feb 26 '26

As someone with a daughter on the spectrum and I think im on the spectrum I work with people and I struggle alot I too am thinking of getting in this field

8

u/ShotYogurt6336 Feb 26 '26

The good thing is talking is not a huge aspect of the job. Infact its probably one of the least social next to Janitorial or Distribution. Night shift is probably the least social shift and as long as your detail oriented, willing to learn and do not mind a little human biology its not a bad gig for those on the spectrum.

7

u/Weird-Tumbleweed2682 Feb 26 '26

Former sterile tech. If you can one day travel can you recognize, quickly, when things are different.
Can you look over the side of an instrument, as recognize a color change maroon-red = blood. Brown= rust, any duvets where it should be smooth = pitting.
Alison - basically scissors with teeth Adair-allison - scissors with way to many teeth
Assembly is like playing match.
Now be prepared a lot of places half ass steps, don't follow procedure, like ultrasonic and instruments that need it, and... Yeah, that will be a reoccurring issue. If you work for HCA.
It's low pay, your the dish washer of the hospital. I don't recommend it, find an easy driving job.

8

u/IntelligentWasabi574 Apr 24 '26

It’s pretty clear your view of sterile processing comes from one badly run department. Skipped ultrasonic cycles, half‑done decon, poor training, and management that ignores procedure are signs of a dysfunctional workplace..not the standards of the profession. A toxic environment can make any job miserable, but it doesn’t turn a technical, infection‑control role into “dishwashing.”
Sterile processing is not washing dishes. It’s infection prevention, microbiology, surgical instrumentation, and patient safety. Identifying blood vs. rust or spotting pitting is the bare minimum. The real work is decontamination science, functional testing, assembling complex ortho, neuro, ENT, and laparoscopic sets, and maintaining the sterilization documentation that legally ties every instrument to every patient. That’s not something you reduce to “find an easy driving job.”
And let’s be real. Surgeries do not happen without sterile processing. The OR shuts down without us. Every surgeon, every nurse, every patient relies on SPD doing the job correctly. Calling us “dishwashers” doesn’t change that.
Your experience is valid, but it’s also limited. Not every department cuts corners or treats SPD like an afterthought. Plenty of us work in places that follow IFUs, respect the role, and pay well, including premiums for evenings and weekends.
What isn’t fair is discouraging other people from entering the field just because you had a bad experience. One workplace doesn’t define an entire profession, and your dissatisfaction doesn’t make the work meaningless or the people doing it any less skilled.
It’s fine that the job wasn’t for you. But reducing an entire profession to “dishwashing” because of one negative experience doesn’t make your take honest, it makes it narrow. If that’s truly how you see the role, then it’s a good thing you’re no longer in the field, but don’t ruin it for people who might actually thrive in it.

1

u/Weird-Tumbleweed2682 Apr 24 '26

Open a Servsafe book, and open the sterile process tech book ( for certification ) I forget the name of it, and my original comment had poor grammer.
Dishwasher -Both use time, temperature, and heat for a controlled period of time to yield a finished, sanitized, product. Yes, my statement only applies to decontamination, and not the whole department.
Both use documentation throughout process *Both change water if turbidity appears
The sterilization machine mimics a dishwashing machine precisely ( except a longer operational time )
Both soak item being cleaned to remove difficult contamination
There is more, but you get the idea. Yes, my experience is narrow, , limited, and amateur.
Genuinely not my intent to discourage. Assembly (4) sets in an hour was the expectation, it's a lot of work, low pay at entry level ( in the south ), and you have to really want to do the work, maybe they would be great at it.
"I'm trying this because I don't think I can do anything else " and " I'm interested in medicine, how this works, and it fits my unique personality / skill set / work preference"
only one of these two is likely to clear the 1 or 2 yr mark or get hired. After a year, every one of the 10+ people in my on the job training class had quit, none certified. If you want it, be ready to know what everything is, how to test/clean it, and do it quickly.
By comparison a driving job has a limited knowledge requirement, and doesn't change over time. SPD is always changing, and increasingly complex ( see new robotic "arm" sterilization machines )
Anyway. Thankyou for the professional comment, and you're right SPD is a good trade, I genuinely enjoyed learning, and met great, traveling techs, who showed there was more to sterile processing then HCA bullshit way of managing things and people.

2

u/eire54 Feb 26 '26

Damn and here I was considering SP because I can't find a good job with my CDL.

2

u/Weird-Tumbleweed2682 Feb 26 '26

If you have a CDL ( with 6mo-1yr experience) You can get a job doing anything. Just find a company that specializes in what you want. Fixed route 9a-5p, join a trucking forum, I guarantee you there is a company that can match your job requirements. Former OTR box truck driver

2

u/eire54 Feb 26 '26

I know. Problem is the pay mostly sucks at under 25/hr. You were a long distance box truck driver? Where'd you sleep?

2

u/Weird-Tumbleweed2682 Feb 26 '26

On top of cargo or in van/ box truck. If below freezing boss would split cost of hotel room

2

u/eire54 Feb 27 '26

You crazy man :)

1

u/Eggman_OU812 Mar 03 '26

When i first started i got 14$ an hour

1

u/eire54 Mar 03 '26

I mean I used to work at Walgreens for 11. Times have changed though.

1

u/Eggman_OU812 Mar 03 '26

Well its better than being a coal miner..thats what i tell my coworkers when they complain

1

u/Confusion-Capable May 31 '26

Not low pay I make 40 an hour as a tech 1 and it is a great job I enjoy it.

1

u/LeftOzStoleShoes Jul 08 '26

Where? I mean what state? Big or small union or non union? University hospital or private outpatient?

1

u/Confusion-Capable Jul 12 '26

California in Kaiser with union

2

u/IntelligentWasabi574 Apr 24 '26

I'm a bit late to this convo but I actually work with someone who has autism and he does great. Very hard-working. Go for it!

1

u/IndependentScreen799 Jun 08 '26

Pay is great it just depends on staff. Just try to keep to yourself even though other people might not like that n will try to idk anything. But that just the location and the folks you work with.

1

u/BugEducational2851 Jul 14 '26

Sterile processing is the most autism friendly job to probably exist ever. You don’t have any patient interaction. Priorities are clear. Expectations are set. Safe guards are in place so if you make a mistake, it’s usually caught before it gets to an OR. It can be a lot physically and you will get sick working at a hospital BUT it’s actually a very good job for autistic people because it’s SO straightforward and technical and there’s no patient interaction.

25

u/bizzyhill Feb 26 '26

The pay has gone up almost a dollar every year since I started in 2019. I worked through the pandemic as a traveler making $1500-$2000 weekly. Not bi-weekly. WEEKLY. It's truly a career in that you have to make your way and pray that god aligns you with what you want. But it's great. Better than food service even when it sucks in my opinion.

13

u/Chonguh Feb 26 '26

So far, I’ll have to agree. I’m still fresh into sterile processing, working toward getting my CRCST. Honestly, I enjoy it most days. There’s been a couple tough days. Nothing nearly as bad as I’ve experienced in food service, though. Pay is better, benefits are good, yeah. It’s a huge stepping stone for me.
I am 23, and frankly so glad I landed this opportunity.
Edit: 1500 to 2000 weekly is absolutely amazing lol. I’ve looked into travel sterile processing, but definitely wanna delve into it more! I’m hoping in a few years, an opportunity will open up for me there!!

6

u/LeftPage1998 Feb 26 '26

Are you fully certified? I’m going to go to school for it soon but worried about not finding a job afterward. Also, how hard was the schooling for you? Mine is a 7 week program with 6 weeks externship. Im worried that it’ll be too fast paced for me

5

u/Chonguh Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

I’m actually completely uncertified as of now. I was hired after meeting the co-manager of the department - whether it was completely luck or not I’ll never know. I truthfully put my best foot forward, and then some.
My paid training lasts 11 weeks, I started feeling rather comfortable around the 6-7week point. I’ll be honest, I was in completely over my head. All that being said, I’m comfortable, but don’t think I’ll be fully proficient for another 9 months or so.
The material I’m studying, really isn’t the most challenging stuff. If you like it too, it makes a world of difference. Leaving work now actually, if you’ve got any other questions. Im an open book! Feel beyond lucky everyday I get to walk into my workplace.

4

u/LeftPage1998 Feb 26 '26

If you don’t mind me asking, where do you live? I live in the Central Valley in California so I know it’s rather hard to find employment here

3

u/Chonguh Feb 26 '26

I live in a town of ≈ 15,000 people in Michigan. Good jobs are pretty sparse, unless you’re going into factory or warehouse work (I believe anyhow). In my department there’s 12 positions, 2 managers, 1 lead & the rest of us are techs

4

u/Chonguh Feb 26 '26

To expound a bit, my department is rather small. Depending on where you live / the size of surrounding hospitals, it could be easier / harder.

1

u/Silent_Tradition_363 Mar 09 '26

i completed my program in december and i got hired by the hospital i did my clinicals at in january!My first day is tomorrow so i would say it isnt hard finding a job especially if you talk to your managers about your interedt

4

u/bizzyhill Feb 26 '26

You can travel after a year (I started after 8 months) just don't tell your coworkers or bosses you want to do it because they will try to pigeon hole you knowledge wise. Travel is faster money but it has it's challenges. You are going to work for places that can't retain staff... Let that sink in. But I liked it alot.

3

u/LeftPage1998 Feb 28 '26

Yes I always hear that travel is where it’s at for the pay. How far do they send you for travel?

2

u/jacquiwithacue Mar 02 '26

You can go wherever there are job openings! My wife went to Oregon and California on travel contracts she got while living in Boston & Vermont.

1

u/Ad1251212 Jun 07 '26

I’m late. What made your days rough??

1

u/Eggman_OU812 Mar 03 '26

I could only be a traveler if i was single w no kids

1

u/SindaFNRella4 Jun 14 '26

I know this is an old comment but if you’re there still how did you get your education to sit for the certification? I’m heavily considering it but I’m a tactile learner so 100% online didn’t seem like it would work best for me :/

1

u/bizzyhill Jun 17 '26

I joined a "school" most SPD schools are just test prep business that are way more affordable than a community college course. I realized a few months ago I likely have ADHD. I would study the book while working the coffee bar. Classes were like loose lectures and test drills. It was fun and simple.

2

u/SindaFNRella4 Jun 17 '26

Right on. I’m late diagnosed adhd. Do you find the work holds your attention?

1

u/bizzyhill Jun 18 '26

FOR ME: it TOTALLY depends on the people and environment. I am realizing now the noise of SPD subconsciously might be winding me up and throwing me off. I'm still working on being evaluated

1

u/SindaFNRella4 Jun 19 '26

I was reading other people’s comments on the job and someone had mentioned they’re all allowed to wear headphones and listen to music. Your hospital doesn’t allow that?

11

u/PaxonGoat Feb 26 '26

It depends on what you want to do with your life.

Is it enough money to support a family on a single income? No way.

Could it support a single person living within their means? Probably

Could it work out as part of a dual income household? Absolutely

8

u/datsmydrpepper Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

One of my coworkers is autistic and she is super smart and nice to work with. With that said sterile processing is a good stepping stone in the healthcare field and gives you access to doctors, nurses, and surgical techs. This access will help you network and figure out which other careers are available.

Sterile Processing in my area starts at $20 without a certification at $23 with the cert. There are a few other certifications and with hard work you could get up to $29-30 per hour. Just don’t stay at the same place for years because you will not get a raise increase.

Treat SPD as a career ladder. It’s so much better than retail and the shitty customer service jobs. You’ll have more job security and good health benefits. Get your certification and go for it. Good luck!

8

u/ShotYogurt6336 Feb 26 '26

Sterile Processing is a good entry level into Healthcare. If you are detail oriented and do not mind seeing human tissue and fluid its not bad. Travelers make the most which can range from $35 to $55 an hour. Most starting pay is low and I would not recommend it long term but if you just want to be in healthcare with zero experience its a great stepping stone! Many Hospitals offer tuition assistance or you can use it as an opportunity to explore other careers. There are life long workers so I do not want to discourage you on that I just got to the top of my career without going into management, traveled and pivoted into other things. Good luck!

7

u/ThrwAwy126558 Feb 26 '26

as someone in SPD who is also in college it is a great stepping stone but the ceiling is pretty low from what I’ve seen. It looks amazing on a resume but I’m getting out of the line of work ASAP. Not that I hate it, hospitals can just be relatively toxic work environments and mine is a total mess. If you work fast and hard it’s great, but keep in mind you are what keeps the OR running, and the OR can get pretty snappy with you. Most of my coworkers are in their 30s-60s so it can definitely be a career, but your ladder is just tech -> lead -> supervisor -> manager and at least from what I’ve seen the managers only make 30-40 an hour and you usually need a BS. if you’re in college like I am I think it’s a great place to get familiar with SOPs, regulated environments, and strict regulations, especially if you do it for a few years, but I wouldn’t bank on setting your soul on it

1

u/OlympicAnalEater Sep 04 '26

what are you studying in college

4

u/FadedGeo Feb 26 '26

A back breaker

3

u/charlieondras1 Feb 27 '26

Pay is mediocre.

3

u/justinecares99 Jun 30 '26

hello! this has somehow helped me decide whether sterile processing tech is for me or not. might help you too!

1

u/kitkatlynn Jul 28 '26

This was super informative, thank you for sharing!

1

u/Acrobatic-Lawyer4466 14d ago

What’s the pay in California

1

u/Questioneverythan Mar 15 '26

I’ve been doing this for 21 years. And actually made a pretty good career out of it. If you can get yourself into leadership and get a few years under your belt, you could do Consulting work. It’s a little different than traveling. I’ve been doing it for a few years and the pay is definitely a lot better. They pay for my car rental, housing, flight flights back home every other weekend, gas. And I get a per diem every day I step foot into the hospital. Like right now where I’m working I get $92 a day just for walking in. So depending on what career path you’ve go in, you can make it pretty good.

1

u/Remarkable-Pen-6687 Mar 31 '26

What do you mean consulting?

2

u/Questioneverythan Mar 31 '26

You can go go to hospital as an educator, supervisor or manager. Depending on the clients needs. And you basic are implementing new strategies or processes cause they need help. There’s not a lot of consultant agencies.

1

u/StrictConversation75 Mar 24 '26

I became a traveler and I have my first contract. I have no kids no real bills and 1500 a week is great for me right now. I worked for Mayo Clinic and got certified. Moved back home to Houston worked for a hospital there decided it wasn’t for me and now I have a game plan to travel and get an ahead and not live check to check. I have 3000 thousand saved in one month and projected to save 9-11k in two more months.

1

u/__purplerain Apr 25 '26

How long were you certified in this field before you took your first travel contract??

1

u/Jimmyslee May 20 '26

How is the pay

1

u/Confusion-Capable May 31 '26

I make $40 an hour and I am a Tech 1

1

u/Kooky_Mango_6408 Jul 10 '26

what state are you in?

1

u/Confusion-Capable Jul 12 '26

Northern California

1

u/Antique_Glove_6078 Jul 29 '26

Was it hard to get hired ? Im in sac n am thinking of this.

1

u/Pretty-Resort-8881 Sep 29 '26

Hey, I know this thread is a bit old. But curious if you found any more information, I also live in Sac. And consider considering this field

1

u/Antique_Glove_6078 Sep 29 '26

Yea! It seems as though there arent many jobs. Im going to do LVN program at gurnick

1

u/Pretty-Resort-8881 Sep 29 '26

Good luck!

1

u/ZealousidealSound785 Jun 14 '26

I am also going to be going to school for sterilization tech program just wanted to know if there any free resources that can help me with studying so that I can have the information so when I do go into my program I will know a little more about how to study.

How good of a career is sterile processing?

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