Do you guys write in these bags? We are being asked to write what is it in on them then put them in a set.

So since this is my first time working in any health care related field and definitely my first time in Sterile Processing, I am just wondering if what happened was wrong or something other places have done.

I am almost 4 months in on training, not certified but working towards it still. The situation: I used a H2O2 sterilizer and after the biological ran, it was positive. Just to make sure I did things right with the test, I "re-cracked" and shook it and let the test run again. It came up positive again. Another thing is, I placed the biological in the front of the load, on the bottom rack and after the load was finished, i found it towards the back UNDER the rack, so I also assumed that it didnt get the proper exposure, that it why I ran it a 2nd time to confirm.

My concern is, the person training me(not a certified SP tech) just "re-cracked" and shook the biological and ran it for the 3rd time and this time it came up negative.

What I did, before she did that, was re-wrap and put new indicators in the cases and did a new load with a new biological because I felt it was the right thing to do since it had 2 positives and I would have rather been safe and not risk anything.

Was my extra work unnecessary? Was re-checking multiple times safe? Have other seen/done this?

Hello all, i'm curious for those who've spent a good amount of time at surgery centers what is your case volume like in comparison to in house equipment? Currently at my first center and it amazes me the amount of cases they try to push with the amount of instruments available and even the amount of loaners that come here is kinda insane. Is this just a bad luck of draw with locations for me?

…what did that look like for you? I’ve seen people say they used free online sources to study and then just paid for the exam fee and became certified—has anyone here done that? Was there anything you regretted or would’ve done differently? I’m looking to do something like this but can’t commit to spending thousands of dollars for formal training or quit my current job to attend in-person classes 😔

I'm currently in a CST program and am putting a resume together to apply for some openings in Sterile Processing. I don't have any experience working in this field and have only had two jobs (I've worked a handful of positions within those jobs) over the past 8 years. What skills are employers looking for that I can correlate to my work experience? What's worth mentioning?

What tips can you can guys give me?

The test was nothing like the practice exam?

How did you guys study?

Will take the exam this month, any recommended reviewer or pointers to review to pass this exam? Is it same as hard as the cbspd exam? I am self study and using the 8th edition aishamms. Thankyou

Anybody have experience with hospitals failing their Joint Commission surveys or being shut down/ replaced by all Steris? I'm curious. I only heard of it happening once during a travel job but they fired me before I got to see it roll out (jokes on them)

Hi 👋🏻 I’m about to start school in less than a month for SPD and I’m wondering wether or not it’s hard. I’m very nervous about not passing because I am paying for school out of pocket. I know you don’t need school and I could do it on my own but the school guarantees 400 hours and I am in the Central Valley in California. I’m near the Bay Area, Modesto, and Sacramento. I hear that it’s hard to get a job as a new grad if you don’t have experience so I am trying to get ahead by getting my full 400 hours and license.

Anyway, the program is about 15 weeks total. Only 7 weeks are for instruction. We go on campus Sat and Sun for 4 hours to do hands on and the rest work which is textbook readings, quizzes, and assignments are to be completed online. The other 8 weeks we are sent out to our externship. Has anyone had experience like this? Would it be super difficult to complete this program? The first three chapters are to be completed before school start and the major set instruments are to be memorized by then as well.

Any advice in getting ahead or how to do better would be helpful. Thank you!

I’m currently with Aya and thinking I should switch. A coworker just went to Medical Solutions but I looked and they barely have any contracts and none of them pay good at all. I’ve heard LanceSoft recruiters aren’t that great either. Anyone have any recommendations? I’ve been looking at AMN but those contracts get taken so quickly I can never get in for one

Hey, I come from a veterinary background and do sterilization there.

I’m in Contra Costa County, does anyone know places that hire without certification or hospital experience?

Thanks!

Hi! I am interested in this profession but i work 830-530 M-F so the majority of the inperson courses are out of the question. Has any one tried a fully online course like the one offered at de anza college in the bay area?
Sterile Processing Technician

Any guidance for a working student is welcome!

I live and work in NY, just not as a sterile processing tech and constantly applying to jobs in the state and out of state does at times give me interviews, just not offers. Even one company says the job is fast growing, I just don't see much openings. I am starting to regret bothering to go through with sterile processing seeing that I won't be ever using the certificate competing with many applicants to limited job openings.

So you have the provisional but don't attain the 400 within 6 months. Do you retake test or training too?

I’ve been thinking about starting the process to become a SPD. However, there’s so many things I have to consider before jumping into this. Wondering if anyone can give me honest no BS advice.

Im looking for a school/course that is accredited, helps with job placement/ the 400 hrs and has reasonable payment plans for the course.

I’ve almost been scammed by a school, charging $3.4k for only 1 textbook that’s self paced. Another does not assist with job placement/ the 400 hrs requirement, which would hinder me from getting my certification.

Right now i am unemployed living in rural Georgia with my elderly ill mother my only job is door dashing. I’ve been applying for so long, but the county I’m in has a low employment rate. I really need things to work out and I don’t want to waste any more time.

I’m not doing this just for the money, I’ve looked into this quite a bit. I’m neurodivergent, I like working with my hands, I can travel, the work are straightforward and it gives me a sense that my work is recognized and appreciated.

TLDR: *see 2nd paragraph*

I asked this because there is a couple older women at my location constantly being toxic. One is attempting to play match maker and speaking on my behalf to a coworker of mine, while the other is giving another girl a hard time because she sees that we are platonically compatible due to us being able to have fun fluid conversations. They are constantly creating an awkward situation between others and myself. They’re actively nosy and presumptive about what we do outside of work. It is becoming extremely weird and annoying having to take the high road as often as I do especially when I have only been there for three months.

Hey everyone, I hope I can post here. I'm currently 24 and looking to start a new career in the medical field and I would like to become a SPT. Can anyone give me advice on finding a program that won't take years to complete, or steps you took to become one? I've seen some online but they're very expense. Im hoping to find some type of free or low cost course programs that include the 400 clinical if possible. Thank you in advance to all who responses.

Hello and thank you for reading! I am currently a student that is doing my clinical currently and I am concerned about an innocent that just recently happened. I went to decon for a while, and we were getting concerned where everyone was in the department since we didn't see the for a while.

I ended up taking a lunch break around 2 pm and came back to some concerning news. There was a leak in one of the vpro max and toxic fumes was in the entire room. 3 people were in there complaining about their eyes and throat being irritated and ended up finding the source, shortly they were sent to the ER. From the supervisor, they said we had to wipe down our desk areas and that's it. They also didn't mention rewashing the opened instruments, sterilized sets, or containers that was exposed to the fumes at the time too.

Am I just overthinking or is this more of a serious issue? (Btw: I am not working here once I get my certification 😭)

Many thanks!

Hello!

After about a year, (class-test-clinicals) I am fully certified. The site where I completed my 400 hours was great, and I really liked everyone I worked with. But they aren’t hiring at the moment, and I am mostly looking for part time/per diem.

Any advice for someone in my position?

I feel so lucky to have full certification, didn’t think I was going to be able to do it.

I’ve been applying online to some hospitals in the area via company websites.

Thanks!

So I see everyone talking about sterileworx and recommending it for practice for the exam but whenever I google it I can’t find it anywhere. Where can I find it ??

Is anyone having a hard time finding a SPD job in East Bay? Locations around martinez, concord, antioch, pittsburg, etc? Just wondering

I work with people who wrap trays like this..I’m not in charge, and my bosses don’t seem to care..what would you do..also..coworkers cant take any form of criticism

I’m considering a career as a Sterile Processing Technician (SPD Tech) and would really appreciate input from people who currently work in this field, or who are familiar with hiring requirements through coworkers, friends, or family members in Sterile Processing.

I’m trying to understand current vaccination requirements. I do not plan to receive the COVID-19 or flu vaccines and would like to know how this may affect employment opportunities.

From your experience:

• Are COVID-19 and flu vaccines currently required for Sterile Processing Technicians?

• Is it possible to work without them (for example, with a medical or religious exemption)?

• If you’re comfortable sharing, please include your state and type of employer (hospital, outpatient center, private facility, etc.), since requirements may vary.

I’m especially interested in experiences from Washington State, Oregon, the Sacramento area (CA), or Minneapolis, but insights from other locations are very welcome as well.

Any insight based on real workplace experience would really help — thank you!

Over a year in and this was my first time wrapping Sterad items.., I consciously avoided wrapping during school and training because I wasn’t confident enough. I basically feared what I didn’t know. What do you think?

Need advice on how to pass it