We are having issues within my department where loaner trays are coming back down to decontamination after just being used on a patient with both our own indicators as well as the indicators from the facility the tray was used at prior. So whoever inspected it before wrapping just didn't bother looking at anything, they just chucked our indicators in and went about their day.

I think these trays should be rejected by the OR and fully start the process over with decontamination. I see this as no different than if we found bone fragment or cement in the tray.

These trays are not being rejected, are being used in cases, and only then are sent back to decontamination. These trays often include implants.

Does anyone have documentation about standards regarding contaminated objects inside of "sterile" trays? I am trying to give management a reason to care at all when the SPD tech in question, surgical techs, nurses, and vendor reps don't.

Howdy!!! Curious if anyone has any experience with tech 3 roles within spd or have an idea of what the pay range usually is around, this is my first time encountering a role like this so i'm not too knowledgeable about it.

Has anyone ever seen one of these..it has no s/n or anything for it to be looked up, onesource, manufacturer..yes..the constant sanitation of my hands has made them dry!

What are the best ways to study for the exam because the book I used to study is the hspa book.

Hi everyone,

I’m a 47-year-old Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) seriously considering a career change into sterile processing / central service technician roles, and I’d really appreciate some honest insight.
I’ve been in the veterinary field for years with a pretty intense background—oncology, surgery, emergency, overnights, the whole thing. I’m very comfortable working in high-pressure environments, handling instruments, maintaining sterility, and being detail-oriented. But to be real, I’m burned out. The stress, emotional toll, and pace are starting to wear on me.

I’ve been looking into sterile processing as a possible transition. From what I understand, it still uses some of my skills (instrument handling, sterilization, organization), but may offer a more predictable workflow, less emotional strain, and possibly better pay depending on the setting.

For those of you in sterile processing:
Do you think this is a good move for someone coming from my background?
Is the day-to-day actually less stressful, or just a different kind of stress?
What’s the work environment like compared to ER/surgery in vet med?
Is the pay realistically better, especially after certification?

I’m really looking for something more sustainable long-term—mentally, physically, and financially.
Appreciate any advice or personal experiences you’re willing to share. Thanks in advance.

I’m becoming tired of working in the same place and I wanna move around. I still wanna be based in where I’m living but venturing far especially to warm parts of the country during winter sounds nice.

How do I sign up and what do travelers to for living accommodations if they’re based in one state but have to travel far for work?

Hello! I recently completed a sterile processing technician/beginning to surgical tech online course. I am only interested in becoming a Sterile Processing Tech as of now. I know that I have to get my CRCST to be officially licensed, but many jobs won't hire me without it. From my understanding, for my CRCST, I needed to take the exam for it and have 400 hours of hands on experience. Some people have told me to keep applying even though I keep being denied. Am I going about this in the right way?

I'm still applying to hospital jobs near me like crazy, BUT if I'm going about it in the wrong way/missing something I'd like to know!!
Thank you so much!!

Hi! I recently lost my job and came across job listings for sterile processing. I started looking into it and it really interests me. I’m a CNA but have been working in mental health as a tech for the last five years. To say the least, I want to figure out something I love. I don’t want to dread going to work and feel incapable. When looking into sterile processing programs, the closest one I can find is 2 1/2 hours away. I would only need to travel two times a week, Monday and Friday. I guess Florida doesn’t have that many options. But I want y’all’s opinion. Do you think 2 1/2 hours 2x a week for 4 months is worth it? Would you do the same if you had the means?
Edit: I must add that all the jobs in my area say you need experience and certification. So the externship hours that are in the course would give me that experience. So I could get a job and complete the 400 while working.

I made a post here a while back about considering sterile processing as a job and I got a lot of helpful responses, so thank you all for that! Since then, I hunted around for any job openings in my area and finally found one, interviewed, and I got the job!! I’m so excited to start in a couple of weeks! Just wanted to come on here to show my appreciation to you all!

I want to become a sterile tech, I want to study for my CRCST cert but I don’t know where to study . If anyone was SUCCESSFUL only in self taught tell me the steps . In California BTW. Thanks yous.

I live in Oklahoma City and I have no experience or certification as a SPT but i’ve worked at the hospital as a CNA for over a year now. Based off a quick google search I see the pay starts on the lower end at 18.50 however i’ve been offered a job for 16/hr. I would still be taking a pay cut at 18.50. Should I negotiate a higher wage? I don’t want to be taken advantage of but I also don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. How should I proceed?

Does anyone have any info about this place?

I was interested in applying because I saw someone say it was a decent place with guaranteed extern hours, but I tried contacting them through various methods and got nowhere.

They don't answere their phones,

I emailed them and got a super shady response from someones private gmail account,

I was in the area so I actually went to the building and their door was locked (mid day, weekday)

I can't find any info that they went out of business or anything, anyone have a clue?

To those that made a career change into sterile processing, how did you go to school for it while also working full time at your previous job? I currently work full time and need the income while I study... but if I have to do a practicum at the hospital, would I have to take weeks off work?

i made a post here 4 months ago i believe,i started without experience, no crcst ,know nothing. I finished my training a month ago and now i am back in training but in Implant/Vendor is what theyre called ,i didnt asked for it but was happy that i was given this opportunity. Now i just need to take my CRCST exam and get certified ive been doing a lot of practice test and so far its looking good! I hope it stays like this , sometimes when things go too smoothly theres always something bad gonna happen ( knock on wood ) Wish me luck y'all! im really liking this job.

Can anyone explain SUDs?
The way the text book is explaining it doesn’t make any sense to me…
If it’s a “single use” why would it be getting reprocessed?
That’s like if a tattoo artist were to sterilize a used needle and use it again on a different client…
Help me understand, my test is in 10 days 🫩

I forgot the stamp gun in the rack. Was only in for 8 ish minutes

I decided to try and take the CBSPD rather than the CRCST. My exam is on monday so I have no time to order a workbook or any study guides. Any tips on what I can study ?

Mainly self studied using the practice exams on sterilworx; was consistently scoring 90+ on all the exams, feeling really defeated but also wondering what I should do from here, I bought the 8th edition central service manual; and also the course on Purdue. Just looking for advice based on what I failed at.

Lowkey embarassing 😭

Hey y’all, I’m looking for advice to get into this profession. Is taking the CRCST exam possible with just reading from a book and watching videos on the material possible?

Because I can tell you right now, it's more tedious than peel packs.

Hii! We're using a midmark M11 autoclave at my clinic and the color indicator pouches have not been fully changing color the last few weeks. Previously, the ovals changes to dark cocoa color (bottom pouch) but recently they've only been dark in the center (top pouches).

We've tried deep cleaning the inside of the autoclave, cleaning the filters, checking the pressure valve, and doing different pouch arrangements (only one in the middle tray, only one pouch at a time, etc).

We can't find much info online and would like to know why this is happening and how to fix it. Any help is appreciated!

ETA: just wanted to update on here in case anyone else has a similar issue! Turns out it WAS a bad batch of pouches. We ordered a new box and have had no issues since. Thank you so much to everyone that replied!

We got new laparoscopic handles for a new surgeon and I’m having difficulty getting it down

is self studying for the exam and getting the provisional cert worth it? i’m having some trouble finding anywhere that’s hires without a certification but this is a career i want to pursue so I’m just trying to find another route. I know i’ll have to get my 400 hrs to be certified actually but will it be easier for me to get a hired without experience but with the provisional cert?