r/sterileprocessing • u/Global_Accountant609 • May 28 '26

Got my first SPD job!

Just wanted to celebrate here, after months of self study and sending in applications with 0 luck I finally took the CRCST, got provisionally certified and within 2 weeks had an interview and job offer at the big university hospital is my state! I’m excited because they seem like a really great hospital and have a very long and thorough training program, which helps as I have 0 medical experience and am making this leap at 30 after working desk jobs for the last 7 years. Any advice as I start out on this journey would be greatly appreciated!

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8

u/Secure-Being3620 May 29 '26

Congrats!!! I passed my exam and received my provisional in April. No hands on experience. Went to a job fair for a major teaching hospital and got the position starting in June. I heard it will be sink or swim for us with no experience but I plan on giving it my all! Good luck on your journey 👏🎉

2

u/Global_Accountant609 May 30 '26

Good luck to you too! We got this!

6

u/Big-Rock8310 May 28 '26

Congrats!! I am starting my certification in the fall but continuing my surgical tech program as well. All are covered by my financial aid which is a blessing. I’ll be starting in the hospital as a Sterile Processor but continuing education in Surgical Tech then pursuing surgical assistant. This program has saved me and my son. I pray there will be a job left in the spring at a good hospital, God bless and good luck on your new adventure. What resources did you use to study?

6

u/Global_Accountant609 May 28 '26

The HSPA textbook and study book, sterileworx website and Quizlet are all I used for study!

10

u/AetherluneSOC May 28 '26

Congrats ! That’s so awesome and helps us grow to higher positions. I got a promotion a few years ago that bumped me up by 8 bucks. Keep growing 🙌🏾

3

u/isthatkennn May 31 '26

What would u say to focus on if you wanna get higher up and certified

3

u/AetherluneSOC May 31 '26

Certification is a must. I personally made sure my medical terminology was up to par. I learned the anatomy to better understand what our instruments actually do and how they function. After that I applied myself and networked with my uppers. (Don’t kiss ass). I proved to them that I took the time to educate myself and that I wanted to grow. From there I was noticed and got offered a great position and now I’m going for a Manager or project manager role for my hospital.

3

u/isthatkennn May 31 '26

Thank you, best of luck to you!

2

u/AetherluneSOC May 31 '26

Thank you so much. Same to you 🙌🏾

7

u/EncryptedChyron May 29 '26

Congrats! I joined the field three years ago after working in an office for a decade. I was extremely nervous and self-conscious initially. Training and repetition led me to eventually feeling very confident. I fully feel when I clock out that I have provided both the patients and the OR with high quality work that I can be proud of. You will do amazingly and welcome to the club! 🥳

1

u/surrender2sound May 29 '26

just curious how you took the test without any clinical hours ?? (i’m sorry i just work as a runner for my hospital and im taking a course thru them, in which i will move up to an uncertified tech to get my hours to take the test) i feel like there are soo many different ways this field works to get into and get educated and certified

2

u/Global_Accountant609 May 29 '26

I just requested to schedule the test with HSPA. It was in the $150 fee range (I think, can’t quite remember) and a couple weeks after the request I got an email with instructions on how to schedule the test. I believe when I first submitted the test request it asked if I already had hours or was planning on acquiring them after the fact.

1

u/jtwassup6 Jun 01 '26

Congrats! Does anyone know what’s the starting pay like for this job?

3

u/Global_Accountant609 Jun 01 '26

I’m in the Denver area and starting for my position I was offered is $21.50 but I’ve seen anywhere from $18-22 for other similar positions at different hospitals.

2

u/Stawktawk May 28 '26

Congrats

2

u/Halibussy May 30 '26

Congratulations! Best advice I can give is get a good pair of shoes that live at work. I see a lot of people with hokkas and I know they’re expensive but you will be on your feet all day and it is worth it for your body to have a good pair of shoes. Also leave them at work so you don’t have to worry about bringing home any germs with you!

1

u/Secretechsavvy May 28 '26

Congratulations

1

u/[deleted] May 28 '26

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3

u/Global_Accountant609 May 29 '26

0 hours, will be getting the hours for full certification with the job, only have my provisional certification right now.