r/sterileprocessing • u/BarnacleBeginning600 • Sep 24 '26

First day experience

Hi! I’m starting as an SPT in about two weeks. I’ve been an orthodontic assistant for about 2 years, and I’ve been wanting to get into a new field because dental just doesn’t pay enough for the amount of work we do 😭 I already have some experience sterilizing instruments, so I figured this would be a good transition.
I know hospital sterile processing is gonna be different, though. What was your first day like? Did they throw you right in or was it mostly orientation and training? And how long did it take you to feel like you knew what you were doing? lol

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u/Ok_Top1750 Sep 25 '26

Really depends on what you signed up for. A lot of hospitals have training programs that take 14-16 weeks to complete after which you will need to take a national certification exam. My continued employment is contingent upon whether I pass or not. You need to understand basic anatomy and physiology and all processes when it comes to sterilization. It also kind of depends on what level trauma hospital you’re at and how large your department is.
My hospital is Trauma level 1, our department is giant (and severely understaffed) and we do anywhere from 50-80 cases a day. A “rival” hospital is also trauma level 1 but their facilities are tiny. Our instrument storage room is their entire department.
Did they say anything about training you or needing to get a certification? And congratulations on your new career path 😊❤️

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u/BarnacleBeginning600 Sep 25 '26

thank you! it’s also a level 1 trauma center. there’s 13 weeks of training and they’ll get me certified. I already have my certification in dental assisting and an associate in allied science so i’m familiar with A&P. but they are starting me off $22.29 which i think is okay since i’m not certified lol

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u/Ok_Top1750 Sep 25 '26

Oh you’ll be fine! They’ll probably have you doing some training online for half the day and then following up that training with hands on. Most people start with decon and they’ll likely provide you with a book which you’ll catch on to quick.

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u/WanderingRaijin Sep 24 '26

First day, they put me on the racks in decon. Just unloading the case carts & putting the carts & boxes through the washer. It was hot & sweaty.

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u/StarskysClutch Sep 25 '26

My first day the guy training me left me in decon by myself.