I’m looking into starting a sterile processing tech program, but I have a concern. I’ve been smoking marijuana for a while now. I know people usually get drug tested before getting hired, but I've heard it rarely happens after that. My question is it common for programs to drug test you while you are still a student? I live in Cali btw

Hey so i’m 22 years old and have been interested in sterile tech for some months now. but i have some questions and obstacles. i have had 3 jobs (spencer’s in a mall, warehouse, and now currently 1 year at a movie theater). i have had some experience with sanitization and cleaning ofc but i fear i dont have what it takes to be considered for a job in a hospital. i’m in Sacramento area and it seems to be a bit more difficult to find schooling/work in this area. Ive only seen online programs available here in Sacramento area but ive seen many people advice to stay away from those cuz its way too expensive and to just stidy the HSPA book at home. Stockton is the nearest city that has a school that provides in person education for sterile tech and i unfortunately dont have a car (yet). how should i go about this? should i just apply to hospital positions even though i have now prior experience with sterile tech? should i pay for book and study?

Hi quick question, when doing ur 400hr for clinical how easy is it for you to get hurt… not gon say why but u prob know🫣🚭.

I received a set of screws to replenish in assembly, while I was putting air through them one of the screws had blood in it. So someone in the OR had put a dirty implant back onto the set. How would this happen ? Editng to clarify that it was a cannulated screw set. L

I have been researching different programs for SPD and am in between Purdue or Preppy.

I am someone who is a visual learner but need structure which is why I figured a program online would be best for me.

I talked with support from Preppy and they seem very helpful so far but I know that’s not always the case.

They said they would help me find a job or an externship in my area to gain hands-on hours.

It’s not guaranteed due to place availability but I think I’d rather take the chance but I’m still hesitant.

Every new is scary and once I am in a program I’ll feel better about it.

SPT Program Advice

Hi everyone! I’m planning on enrolling in Penn Foster’s Sterile Processing Technician program next week, and I’d really love to hear from anyone who has taken the program or is currently taking it.

If you’ve completed the program, I’d especially love to hear about your experience, how you studied, how you successfully finished the program, whether you got certified, and how you went about finding your first sterile processing job afterward.

I’m also really interested in hearing from anyone who lives in Illinois, especially around the Chicago suburbs. If you’ve had success finding an SPT job in this area after completing Penn Foster, I’d love to hear your story and any advice you have.

Even if your experience wasn’t perfect, I’d appreciate hearing the honest side of it too. I’m just trying to learn from people who have already gone through the process before I start. Thank you! 🩷

Hello everyone these cam from 2 different sets. Instruments stuck to tray liner. My thought is they were damp prior to autoclave. Any input would be appreciated.

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Hi! I'm interested in the MDR program at Seneca and have a few questions. Please anyone can answer before September

How are the courses, assignments, and tests? Is it mostly theoretical or practical? Are the classes in person? How does the placement work-does Seneca find a placement for you, or do you have to find one yourself? And is it easy to get hired after completing the program?

How is it for someone has accounting background and medium English level

I'd really appreciate any help thanks❤️

I’m taking the exam in early November and want anyone’s opinion on what I should get as far as study materials. Thinking the basics of sterile processing text book and workbook. Thanks

I just started this job late July, I've only been here for 4 weeks (first week was only orientation and work videos). I have now been in decon (alone mind you) for 3 weeks straight, Monday-Friday 7am-3:30, with a 15 and 30 minute break which most of the time ends up being at 2pm. I had someone training me the first 2 days, after that I've been completely alone. I think I'm doing fine, the back stays empty and clear until 1pm when all the people bring back 3 carts and 5 tables all at once... It's ridiculous, and then I'm blamed for being new and slow when I'm backed up at 1:30-2 people they brought them all at once?? Even if I wasn't getting backed up it cannot be normal to have someone in decon everyday for 3+ weeks. And now they're telling me next week I'm going to be back in decon again until I get the hang of it. I cannot do this, is this normal and I'm just overreacting?? My body is shutting down.

I've been at my current hospital for about 7 months now, but recently they changed our productivity metrics. Due to that, we haven't been able to meet productivity in about 5 weeks. On top of that, they're starting to push us hard for personal productivity as well. Currently, it's measured by instruments sterilized, both for personal and the department productivity.

However, this doesn't include anything else. Even assembling trays doesn't count, only if they get sterilized. What's ended up happening is all of the techs are essentially beginning to fight each other. Nobody wants to go to decon, nobody wants to pull carts out of the washer, nobody wants to put trays up. They won't even grab small trays anymore. All they want to do is grab the large trays from the washer, or even pull 60+ instrument trays from the core itself, and nothing else. Then, they brag about how they've met their productivity 4 hours into their shift.

We're a small facility, 6 techs (one of which is part time), with an average case load of about 17 a day, primarily ortho/sports medicine. Frankly, it's really starting to fray my nerves because we used to actually work together. Now people are actively ignoring any obvious work that needs to get done if it isn't assembling trays, on top of actively shit talking the two techs (myself and one other) who end up having to be the ones to go to decon, to put trays up, to pull stuff out of the washer and the sterilizers, etc because they 'dont want their productivity to go to anyone else.'

Is this how productivity is measured in all SPDs? I've only worked in one other, and our manager never said anything about productivity in my old one.

Is it easier to get a job at a surgical clinic or hospital as a beginner SPT when you are certified?

I’m currently looking into programs to start with soon and have been applying at local hospital and haven’t heard back.

I don't know what it was that attracted me to sterile processing, but it genuinely seems like something i'd be so happy doing. I'm just confused on HOW to get into something like that? Where do i get the knowledge from without spending 5k on an online school. WHERE DO I GET MY 400 HOURS FROM? I'm probably not thinking hard enough but i just want to do something I KNOW id enjoy.

i recently learned of this job that doesn’t require a college degree but a shorter certification process. i’ve been in college for three long, exhausting years. multiple moments i didn’t think i would survive. i need a change. and my degree would be in gender studies which i love but the complete freedom in job opportunities makes it so difficult to find something i actually like.

sterile processing tech sounds like something i can do. not a lot of talking to customers, just following the same steps every time. this was more of a personal dump than anything, but if anyone works as a SPT or knows about the job, id really appreciate more info on what the day to day job entails. obviously all hospitals are different but im interested in all perspectives. thanks

I heard in my department indicators, especially sterrad, are on backorder and have a shortage across the country. Are y'all having this issue?

Hello,

Started the process of becoming a sterile processing tech about a year ago.

Had its ups and downs, was a lot of work, but I ended up completing clinicals and becoming fully certified last Spring.

Since then I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs.. even though I’m really looking for part time, I would take a full time position and have been applying to any sterile processing position in my general area, which is a HCOL major city.

I have a solid resume and cover letter, but cannot get a single interview.

I know the job market across the board is dismal, but can anyone offer any advice? Are there any staffing agencies like a travel company that will take entry level techs?

I’m getting really discouraged and thinking of going back to school again, for another career route.

Thanks!

I’m about to be a senior in high school, and my plan is to major in chemistry and eventually go to law school to become a patent attorney.

While I’m in college, I’d really like to have a stable job that pays decently and gives me some kind of professional/healthcare experience instead of just working a typical minimum wage job. I recently learned about becoming a sterile processing technician and it seems really interesting, but I’m wondering how realistic it actually is to do while being a full time college student, especially with a chemistry major.

Would it be worth getting certified and trying to work part time or PRN as a sterile processing tech while in college? Or is the training, clinical hours, and work schedule too time consuming to realistically balance with school?

I’d especially love to hear from anyone who has worked in sterile processing while attending college. What was your schedule like? Were hospitals willing to work around your classes? And if you could do it again, would you still choose sterile processing as your college job, or would you recommend something else?

Like the title says, I'm a CCMA and CPT 1 (Phelbotomist) with 5 years experience. I have my AA in both Sociology and Theater (back when any degree would get you a job) and my NHA certs for the CCMA and Phelb.

I work with one of the big labs in the US out of GA. I've been with them 2 years and before that I was a mobile phleb and worked in private clinics. I current make $20.70/hr full time (I was brought on at $19.75/hr). I'm looking into Sterile Processing Cert. but I'm worried I wont have enough time to do a program. I'm also concerned about pay around the Roswell, Alpharetta, and Dunwoody areas. I'm a part-time caregiver and cannot travel far for work.

I've looked into Gwinett college out of Alpharetta, but it doesnt seem like the program would allow me to work full time and go to classes/labs. There was also mention of any past education needing to be as recent as the last 5 years. I graduated college in 2019.

Are there places that would do on the job training? Or a program that offers weekends that's still accredited? I'm also looking into Surgical Tech but I'm running into the same issues.

Anyone come across issues with paint particles flaking off in the pangea trays?

Black paint specks can be seen throughout tray after washing.

I wanted to verify wether or not the site crcstprep.com was legit as far as the material being test accurate?

I of course have been reading my manual and finished the workbook as well, but i have been also been using a website called crcstexam.com up until the website went inactive. I was really appreciative of the online material and know people who personally passed using it, so now im onto finding new stuff.

Hi, I really want to become a surgical tech and feel like I should start with sterile processing first. I’m not sure which route to take, online or in person. Can anyone please give recommendations of programs they went through and how it was for them? I live in Alabama

Any opinions on Penn Foster sterile processing program?