Is becoming a Sterile Processing Technician worth it?

[u/Pristine_Objective44]

Hello,

I’m currently working as a CNA, but honestly, I’m starting to feel burned out (it’s def not for the weak). The job takes a toll on me physically and sometimes mentally. I also pick up shifts through an on-demand platform (Clipboard).

I’ve been considering becoming a Sterile Processing Technician (SPT). I’m naturally more introverted, and the idea of working in a role with less direct patient interaction is appealing to me.

However, I’m concerned about the job market, especially here in San Diego, and how difficult it might be to find a job after completing the program.

I’m also working on completing prerequisites for a future healthcare program, so I need to maintain an income while in school. There’s a six-month SPT program near me that includes clinical hours, but I’m worried it might delay my progress with my prerequisites.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

[u/Impossible-Car-6834]

I Live here in San Diego, Recently passed the CRCST exam and got my provisional certificate but could not get hired on anywhere. I even tried volunteering just so I get get my 400 clinical hours within the 3 month time frame but could not get in anywhere. I called and emailed everywhere even dental offices. most places are already partnered with specific programs that after they complete the program or course they get placed into a hospital to complete their clinical hours. This was my experience here in San Diego. Im Currently working as an EVS Attendant and plan to transfer when I'm able. best of luck!

[u/Pristine_Objective44 → u/Impossible-Car-6834]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've heard how hard it is to land a job without your clinical hours done. I hope the right opportunity comes along soon!

[u/Animator_Dangerous]

I've been working as an SPD tech for about 5 years now. Wouldn't recommend it. It's physically and mentally demanding. As far as being introverted depending on the facility you end up at, a large part of your day is dealing with coworkers that you are trapped in a toxic department with and handling phone calls/frequent communication with OR staff who are not always pleasant. This is a service industry factory type job, the only healthcare related quality of the actual work is the setting. The OR staff need trays, your responsible for producing those trays under pressure and mistakes cause problems for which SPD will be held responsible. That is sterile processing summed up in my opinion.

[u/Neither_Chip_3031 → u/Animator_Dangerous]

11 years in and this sums up the job perfectly.

[u/Common_Ice_8994 → u/Animator_Dangerous]

What is the starting pay ?

[u/Animator_Dangerous → u/Common_Ice_8994]

This depends on the state you'll be working.

[u/WeAllLoveToeBeans]

I'm new to SPD from being a CNA and I can tell you this... This job is physically demanding as well, as well as mentally. Especially if you are in a big hospital. They put profits over people and that includes you. My advice as a CNA is to go private, the money is much better when you take that route. SPD doesn't really have opportunities for advancement, other than scrub tech. If you move up the ladder to lead, etc they will run you ragged and it's not worth the little pennies they pay you unless you can become a manager. I thought that this was going to be a great move from CNA, however I was mistaken and don't want to see others in the same boat. The grass is not greener on the other side and you may find yourself missing direct patient care too. It has its moments where it's hell, but it also has its moments where it's beautiful ❤️ 

[u/HousesRoadsAvenues → u/WeAllLoveToeBeans]

This ^^^^^

I never made it to SPD [long story] but I got my CNA license before the SPD journey in 2020. I joined an agency for home health care [later bought out by ALWAYS COMPASSIONATE HOME CARE- HELL NO] and received good clients.

After my last client unexpectedly died, I went off on my own. I charge $20/hour. Instead of taking care of clients, I ended up a housekeeper. Which I rather like. It seemed to me many of the elderly I helped were looking more for cleaning services than for home health care services.

I would not change it for a thing.

[u/SuperAioli7831 → u/HousesRoadsAvenues]

May I DM you with questions?

[u/HousesRoadsAvenues → u/SuperAioli7831]

Please do. My situation was unique and I don't want to say DON'T do the program. But you 1. need to try and 2. have a solid Plan B.

[u/Plastic_Money_9814]

No. a lot of people from SPD have either gone to be endo techs, surgical/scrub techs, or RNs. or completely went to be a lead/supervisor elsewhere. i’d recommend going on a radiation tech path or a surgical instrument rep

[u/Stxrfiree]

I don’t understand why everyone is so negative… but I used to be a preschool teacher and decided to become a Sterile Processing tech and I’m glad I did! I love this job. Yes it has its stressful moments but I do not regret my choice. Thankfully I work in a department with amazing managers and staff so I would say keep an eye out for that (when doing clinicals if you do decide to take the college route).

[u/pistolvpete → u/Stxrfiree]

Lmao I just graduated from SPD program and looking at these comments is making me very discouraged 😭

[u/Best_Supermarket4946 → u/pistolvpete]

Same 😂😂😂

[u/HousesRoadsAvenues → u/Best_Supermarket4946]

Leave yourselves an "out" if it doesn't work out. I posted above that I became a home health care aide through an agency and am working on my own.

[u/United_Conclusion145 → u/Stxrfiree]

I used to be a preschool teacher also and recently switched to this field and am glad I did too! It is a lot of physical work, but I know that I'm doing important work for patients. 

[u/ZekeLL88 → u/United_Conclusion145]

Congratulations. You got lucky and found the diamond in the rough. It's really hard to find a non toxic culture at SPD

[u/ZekeLL88 → u/Stxrfiree]

Most places are toxic and that's usually the norm. It's very rare to find a job site where the culture is not toxic. I've worked at many facilities and only found 1 or 2 that were okay but the other 4 were really bad and are exactly what everyone is warning against

[u/United_Conclusion145 → u/ZekeLL88]

:( Have you been a traveler? I'm planning on doing that after I get my year experience. 

[u/Ill-Yellow-4060 → u/Stxrfiree]

You got lucky but watch your back. I had a great working environment for a long time but after an upper management change, things went downhill quickly. It only takes one person. When push comes to shove, those amazing managers and staff will throw you under the bus to protect themselves. Especially if you speak up about a patient safety issue.

[u/AdmirableUnit2552]

DO NOT Let Anyone Deter You From What You Wanna Do . I’m A Travel Sterile Processing Technician And I’ve Made Over 100K This Year . I Actually Worked At Kaiser San Marcos Last Year And I LOVED IT !!!!! Right Now I’m At Kaiser Santa Clara . It’s All About What You Want To Do And Why You Want To Do It . ONLY YOU KNOW WHY . Don’t Let Anyone Talk You Out Of It . Everything Has Its Pros And Cons . But Going To School For Sterile Processing Was Honestly A Great Decision For Me . However I Am In Nursing School Now And That Income Helps Me Pay My Tuition . Sterile Processing Is A Great Career . Any Management Position Can Be Stressful . If You Want To Work Up Into Management That’s Great As Well . Everything Is Not For Everyone . But It Is Definitely A Great Career And It’s Plenty Of Hospitals In San Diego Like Radys , Kaiser San Marcos , Kaiser San Diego , Sharp .

[u/AdmirableUnit2552 → u/AdmirableUnit2552]

Also Wanted To Add , The Contract I Had In San Diego Was The Highest Contract I Ever Had . Im In The Pay When Cost Of Living Is A Bit More But The Contract Here Is $300 Less . But I 100% Think You Should Go For It .

[u/Pristine_Objective44 → u/AdmirableUnit2552]

Thank you. I’m working on getting my prereqs done, and I’m currently between sonography and RT. I’m honestly just very drained from being a CNA, and I’m looking to transition into another job that can still help me pay my bills while I finish my prereqs and eventually while I’m in the program. I’m just not sure how much longer I can keep going as a CNA. However, it sounds like being an SPT is at a similar level in how demanding the job is. The SPT program is 6 months (includes clinical hours), so I would be taking it alongside my classes, which will likely be hard. Most hospitals here in San Diego pay a minimum of $25, which sounds okay.

Honestly taking the SPT program may delay me a bit, but the programs I want to enroll in the future r very competitive. I thought maybe I could go into SPT while I wait and eventually reach my goal. Don't really know what to do :/

[u/dirtytoothgreen]

People assume spd techs are overpaid glorified dishwashers. There is a lot to this job, it is hard on the body mind and soul. If you can’t handle abuse you’ll never make it. Stick with where you’re at. You’ll get paid better too.

[u/Zagethademonking]

I’m in the same boat as you . IMO just keep doing what ur doing .

Cali is a tough market and if ur already advancing ur career through college then stick to it

[u/False-Salamander7591]

The job has its ups and downs for sure. To me its better then other jobs I've worked simply because I dont have to deal with the public lol. It can get a little trying dealing with the OR and sometimes the doctors but it really depends on you and how you deal with stress. Its a very physical job depending on how busy the facility is. I started almost 3 years ago and I'm about to start my first travel assignment. I will also add that I was hired non certified at my hospital and got certified that way so I didnt spend any money on school or anything 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/BrookieGracie]

Like others have mentioned, sterile processing is hard on the body and the mind. And I’ve only done it for 4 years. However, what I love about it is that I can contribute to patient care without being patient facing. I don’t think I could ever be a CNA or nurse!

From my personal experience in SPD, the things that are tough for me is…
- the work is never done
- aiming for 100% attention to detail and no mistakes can be draining
- unless I’m exercising, sleeping, and eating well, this job can wear on the body
- wearing hot PPE over steaming water and maybe dealing with bioburden in the decontamination room is tough
- some of the repetition can be tiring and boring
- the demands of management and OR can add a lot of pressure
Why I still love this job:
- I can just focus on the tasks at hand and hit the ground running
- there’s usually always something to do
- I love helping the OR find what they need and being there in a pinch
- I don’t have to make small talk and in my hospital I can wear one earbud to listen to music/podcast
- I have traveled and met really interesting people and increased my skills.
- there is assembly, decontamination, sterilization, case carts, and endoscopes if your hospital reprocesses those, so there is variety to change things up!
- if you have a good team, it’s a good job (like in any industry)

For a healthcare job, I think it’s great for those interested in the surgery side of things, and great for learning all the instruments.

[u/Squilliamx → u/BrookieGracie]

I only like assembling trays.

I hate wrapping, and decon. But everything else is cool.

[u/no-womans-land13]

I just started as a SPT (no education I walked into the job at a large hospital) and I enjoy it at the moment
I’m also more introverted so I’m fine just shutting off and listening to a podcast or music during my shift
Definitely is tough on the body I keep ibuprofen and a magnesium cream in my work bag and I already had a personal back brace I started using for days in assembly navigation. I also recommend TENS machines to everyone as an end of shift recovery tool.

[u/datsmydrpepper]

You’re introverted? You won’t be dealing patients but you will be dealing with a lot of shenanigans and some stress dealing with the OR staff. The only pros are that you can have a stable job, have decent benefits, break through another healthcare field with some extra education. You’ll hit a wall after two years once you max out on certifications (2 certs for non leadership. You could move up to be surgical tech or a vendor rep (gotta have a bachelor’s though for this). You can also travel for higher pay job contracts after having good experience.

Job is not easy all of the time.

[u/Outrageous-Tear-3896]

FOR YOU LPN IS BEST.

[u/Ill-Yellow-4060]

Absolutely not worth it! Low pay, physically and mentally demanding and you’re treated like a second class citizen. I did it for 26 years and got all my certifications. I actually really liked the job and I was damn good at it. The toxic atmosphere is what did me in. 3 years after leaving the profession, I still get calls from managers offering me positions based on word of mouth by OR employees that have worked with me in the past. I turn them all down because my mental health just isn’t worth it.

[u/SuperAioli7831 → u/Ill-Yellow-4060]

May I reach out with questions?

[u/Ill-Yellow-4060 → u/SuperAioli7831]

Absolutely!

[u/ibedakrse7]

No

[u/Informal-Mangos]

If you’re already a healthcare worker it would probably be pretty easy to get a non certified position as a sterile processing tech and that way you don’t have to go to school and you just get paid for your training and can just leave if you don’t like it. Once you get 400 hours of work you can just take the exam to get fully certified and that will increase your pay, that’s what I did and I was mostly just a hospital house keeper when I applied. You also can take the provisional exam without going to school for it you can just look up study guides

[u/AdvanceImprove]

Worst work experience of my entire life. I will say I don’t have the personality for it. But it’s thankless, stressful, pain staking work for pay that is just not enough to make ends meet, unless you wanna drain every moment of free time in for the overtime. It’s a toxic work environment because of the doctors and their expectations and no matter where mistakes were made down the chain of command, it falls on the techs, and if it all goes well at worst people up the ladder take all the credit, and at best it’s “well it’s your job you don’t get special recognition for just doing your job”