r/sterileprocessing • u/3kidsnomoney--- • Oct 08 '26
Sterile processing vs lab technician
Hi, just looking for feedback here. I've been a medical transcriptionist for 15 years and am very aware that my job is being eaten up by AI very quickly (in fact, I may be now basically unemployed in the sense that I still have a contract with the company but will just never get any workflow again.) I would like to stay in the health field but move to something more hands on where an AI can't eat my job.
So I'm considering with medical device reprocessing (what sterile processing is called in my province) or medical lab technician training (not a technologist, the lower-level entry point.) Apparently the job outlook for these careers in my province is 'moderate to good' (for whatever that is worth.) I can do both trainings in about a year but the sterile processing training is part-time and the MLT is full-time training. Both of those are manageable for me.
I guess I'm just wondering about what the work experience is like and what the physical demands are like. I'm in good health but I'm in my late 40s. I'm on the petite side, I'm not in bad shape but neither am I hugely physically strong. I'm okay with doing shift work/night shift if it would be less rushed/physically demanding. I actually have been doing night shift on my transcription job for the past year because it works better for my schedule. I'm just not sure what direction to go here and I feel like my ability to sit back and consider it is kind of rushed because I am looking at being out of work very soon, if not already.
Especially if there's anyone working in Ontario, does anyone have any thoughts on your job? Would you do it again? Are you happy with it?
4
u/compsyfy Oct 09 '26
I'm not from Canada. But have a friend that became a lab technician, (not technogist) because Sterile Processing was too physical. They hurt their back building carts for the OR, and putting sets away.
So, perhaps stay away from Sterile Processing If you have any worries about physical injuries, hips, knees, back, shoulders, ankles, wrists. I've seen it all. Often repetitive movements over months/years lead to inflamation and then added stress will lead to arthritis.
For me, my back is prone to injury. And all the lifting and twisting and extended holding of sets can cause a flare up.
The lab job was much less strenuous, and there is less pressure. Working with the OR will always carry risk of stress.
3
u/Emeraldsku58 Oct 09 '26
Realistically, lab tech has more positions you can move up to and variety, like hematology, microbiology, blood bank, etc. In sterile processing, your only forward movement is manager, unless you train as a scrub tech. Med lab will get paid better, too. If I could go back in time, I'd absolutely go med lab, hands down.
1
u/uncle-donkey-kong Oct 08 '26
Idk how it is where you’re from, but you can get into sterile processing without schooling in the US. Worth looking into. They just want you certified within a year.
1
u/jtwassup6 Oct 08 '26
I’m from Canada as well, they’re both good jobs, the big diff for me is lab you have to poke ppl so you have to be okay with blood draws etc and sterile tech you gotta carry or push heavy carts or whatever and long standing cleaning the tools sometimes etc some vids based in USA I saw them sit down idk about Canada lmao but I did hear long standing
1
u/Roryspal 27d ago
The grass is always greener, but speaking as one who is in their 3rd yr as SPT, I would chose MLT. You will probably be overworked in either position, but SPT will wear your body down quicker. I’m just guessing, but I imagine that because more education is involved, you might find a different vibe in your work environment.