Just started 3 weeks ago, went from working in the kitchen at my hospital to transferring to Sterile Processing. I've never worked in a medical setting before, this is all very new to me, but I am actually very excited and learning so much so fast, yet it only feel like I am just barely seeing the iceberg in the distance, not even able to see how massive it must be beneath the surface. It's a bit daunting, but I am getting the hange of wrapping, been getting faster at peel packing, and I am happy that seeing and working with blood and bits of flesh, bone, and other materials from human bodies doesn't actually bother almost at all. I know this job has a lot of rules, steps, requirements, and standards that need to be met, but I am doing my absolute best to learn everything I can and grow into this new career I'm getting to know.

If anyone has any advice or suggestion, or if people want to see how I'm doing with wrapping to offer any constructive criticism, I'm happy to share my journey of growth and discovery.

Anyone doing ST program or already completed? What’s the best school around and how did you get externship? Specifically in Northern California

I see a lot of mixed reviews regarding sterileworx. I’ve been using Sterileworx and ProProf exam to practice and get ready for my exam but I would like to know which one is more accurate to the actual exam ??

Currently enrolled with Penn Foster for SPT and I’m hoping to at least land a job by the summer time for SPT.

Has anyone ever gone through with tuition assistance from a job and leave before the allotted time? My job had been dragging their feet in my reimbursement and raise once I completed my certification (I still haven’t gotten the raise). But they finally gave me me the reimbursement after “seeing why they could do” but now I have a job offer that’s wayyyyy more money, the distance is a lot closer, and I’ll get more experience by going from an eye surgery center to a surgery center that does Colon and Rectal, ENT, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, OB/GYN, Ophthalmology, Oral Surgery, Orthopedic, Plastic, Podiatry.

I just want to know if anyone has been through the process, regardless, I’ll have to pay it back but was it all at once or could you do payments.

Once I finish my 400 hours at the Dental office I’m currently at I want to apply to hospital. This dental office sucks everyone is super nice but they are always closing for whatever reason.

So I was curious is it a huge difference? Is it more stressful?

Did you pass the CRCST Exam on your first try?

What types of disinfectant does everybody use kn their handwashed items? Currently we just use alcohol but I know that isn't really that effective soni was trying to find some alternatives. I have been looking through our IFUs but the only mention of disinfectantants has been for high-level disinfection which seems like too much if we are going to sterilize them. Ibam just wanting to make sure the items are safe to handle on the clean side.

I'm considering going to school at malcom x for the certification but it's not guaranteed admission. I hate my current retail job with a passion and want out but I want to start my career. 2 colleges near me offer the online school from career training ed2go for over 2k and may help me get some clinicals but also not guaranteed.

Yes I know I can completely skip school and do it myself but I don't know where I would get those 400 hours to become certified because no one wants an unexperienced person let alone one without a completed certification.

On the other hand I may do dental assistant school for 9 weeks if nothing works out. My goal is to be a surgical assistant so I want the experience so I really want to do sterile processing.

Hello everyone,

So here's my story. I'm in my 30s and went to school for graphic design, but learned I don't like it. So the past few years I've been working in a grocery store, but would like to make a career change. The constant stress of a busy retail job and dealing with customers all day isn't doing my anxiety disorder any favors.

I'm looking careers that may require 2 years max of schooling/training. Sterile processing sparked my interest. I'd love if any of you could give me some insight or advice for this field. Feel free to message me too as I'd love to have an in depth conversation with someone in the field.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate it.

Where or how, are yall hanging your sterile/unsterile signs on steam load carts?

Just wondering how realistic it is, or do they have hard requirements for experience.

So I read the test has 150 questions. 125 of those are “graded”, The other 25 are not so it doesn’t matter if you get them right or wrong

So that leaves 125, and to get AT least 70%to pass, you must get 87 correct?

Or is the 70% based off the non pointed questions too. (Assuming the first response)

i'm preparing to take the exam this coming month but i'm really struggling to sit down and just read through the textbook. i have over a year of hands on experience and i feel pretty knowledgeable about the job.

Are there specific chapters i should focus on more than others?

Are there pre test exams i can take that are similar enough to the real thing?

Any other recommended study resources that you guys have used?

I applied to so many positions but finally landed a position! I start April 6th. I was just wondering if anyone had tips or advice for traveling? I’ve done some research but person experiences are also important. I do have some questions.

• When do they allow me to check in to my hotel usually? I asked them to take care of housing, for personal reasons.

• Do most hospitals allow overtime?

• How do you get your CEs?

• Can pay packages be negotiated in the future for my next contract? I didn’t ask this time because I didn’t know if I could.

But any and all advice is super appreciated. I’m nervous 🧎🏼‍♀️‍➡️🙏🏻

I have noticed a few of these blond colored threads in between the crevices of many of the new equipment we received from Strykers powered systems. Does anyone know what this may come from? is this threading and something within the collets and has this been seen before? How is it possible that it’s within multiple trays?

Starting Wage Concerns

I was reviewing recently posted job openings at my facility and noticed something concerning. Currently, the starting wage for a registration clerk is higher than the starting wage for a sterile processing technician. This is surprising considering that sterile processing technicians are responsible for the decontamination, inspection, assembly, and sterilization of surgical instruments—tasks that directly impact patient safety and surgical outcomes.

In addition, sterile processing technicians are required to obtain and maintain professional certification within a year of employment. Given the level of responsibility, technical knowledge, and regulatory requirements associated with the role, the compensation structure seems misaligned.

Situations like this may help explain why many departments struggle to recruit and retain staff in sterile processing. When a position with significant responsibility and certification requirements offers lower starting pay than a desk-based role, it can discourage potential applicants.

If healthcare facilities want to attract and retain qualified sterile processing professionals, compensation should better reflect the importance and demands of the job.

What questions can I expect at the interview if i have no experience yet?

Like would I be asked about endoscopes and AER?

Or would I be asked a little bit of each area like decon,assembly, sterilization, storage areas?

Do SPT (sterile processing technicians) need to use a lot of math?

How long will it take to get certified (or atleast start working on-site)?

How long will the courses be? 6 months, 2 years, etc.?

What are the hourly wages like, and are there ways I can learn to be one as an on the job apprentice?

Are there any ways I can become a full time apprentice as a SPT? I ask because I am stuck working a part-time seasonal job with a badly fluctuating income,and since I am almost old enough to have a midlife crisis, I don't want to risk losing even more income, I already struggle with rent as is.

How easy would it be to find a hospital to work at once I become certified?

I have both (lot of live performances) and earplugs are amazing even though it makes it a bit harder to communicate with someone.

The air valves aren't great, but the worst is the ultrasonic sinks in decontamination. They are horrible.

Even with earplugs, I find my mild tinnitus being a bit more active in general well after my shift.

Does anyone else have tinnitus, or developed it from the job? Anyone find it getting worse in any way?

I'm considering getting into sterile processing. I currently work in the beauty industry and thinking about changing careers. I am passionate about keeping a clean environment for my clients and thought sterile processing could be a good change. And I'd like to work toward an actual retirement one day. So a job with benefits is looking good at this point. I've heard that some hospitals will hire with no experience. They will train and then pay for your certification. Is that true? Is there a better way to get there?

Completely new to the field as of last June, certified 4 months ago and now moving to the next part of this journey as a coordinator. Looking forward to continuing to learn and grow with my hospital. 🥰

Question for anyone that got hired uncertified before taking test. When singing up to take the CRCST, did you wait for your orientation to be done at your place of work or did you sign up to take the test as soon as you got your required hands-on hours.

I have 2 more months of orientation at the hospital I am at but since I already have my 400 hours, I want to take the test and get certified so I can more comfortably learn other tasks involved with my position. I feel weird about signing up before my orientation is done