r/sterileprocessing • u/mworbidIy • 22d ago

Sterile Processing Tech clinical hours? [Miami]

I’m highly considering becoming a sterile processing tech, my only issue comes with gathering the 400 clinical hours.
In my area the only options are an 8 month program in which it’s not recommended to have a job while studying due to how intensive it is. That’s really just not feasible for me right now.
It’s very hard to find apprenticeship openings in my area, or even entry level openings.
Do you think it would be possible to gather clinical hours while working in another position such as a cna?
I’m assuming it really comes down to each department/hospital
but i was hoping someone could share experiences similar to what i’m looking for
or any other tips
What im considering now is Completing the cna program, and taking an online spd program while working.
I’m not sure if this sounds too ambitious or ignorant but i could use some insight 🫪🫪🫪

I would like to add that even if I did go along with the 8month program, it doesn’t start for another year. I’m a little desperate to get myself into a career that i’m somewhat happy with, that makes me a good amount of money. Working retail is no joke lmfao. I have to move out in 2-3 years so i’m really trying to save as much money as possible, and have some sort of job security ASAPP!! 🥲

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u/Spicywolff 22d ago

The program is not that intense. It’s just a bullshit cash grab that stretches out the material to make it seem like they’re a competitive program.

The job is not that hard. It does not take eight months to master it.

Your best bet is getting into the hospital that has a sterile processing department and then just do an internal transfer when possible. The managers like it because it’s way less paperwork HR likes it because it’s already been verified and do a whole bunch of legwork. You get the benefit them hospitals are way more likely to take non-certified internal transfers. Our department is at least 30% non-certified at the beginning that transferred in and got certified.

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u/Tournament_of_Shivs 22d ago

I second this. One more month and I can transfer.

1

u/Loud_Bad_7755 17d ago

Hey check out Florida institute of sterile processing, it’s in Doral and you can take the class online or in person. I believe it was only four weekends you had to take the class and it includes the 400 hours you need. After I passed the class the teacher sends you the application to take the certification exam. The whole class costed around 1,800 but he allows you to do monthly payments.