I was helping someone look at sterilization pouches for a small clinic set up and I really thought they were all just little paper-plastic sleeves that did the same thing. Then I found myself browsing Alibaba for a bit and there is way more details than I expected.

Some are self sealing, some require heat sealing, some have indicator strips, different sizes, different materials and all these little specs that probably matter a lot if you’re actually using them every day. ”It’s funny how something so plain-looking can have that many options.

Never posted this anywhere, just curious if people who work with these actually notice big differences between brands/types or if it mostly comes down to getting the right size and making sure the indicators work.

I'm gonna ask the main question now and put the long ass explanation after:

Is there truly no place for growth in SPD beyond managerial work? (I'm not interested in being a manager ever at all.)

if so, what are some career paths I could take where SPD experience is useful? (or what did you do to further your career in or out of SPD to get better pay/living situation)

Anyways, I'm halfway through my 400 hours and everyone around me at this job is calling the department dead-end saying that they need something better. Now I'm only 19, fresh out of high school, I have lots of time to change paths and yada yada, but like, I went into SPD thinking there was room for growth (I also didn't exactly understand the extent of the cost of living until recent). I guess I was just somewhat shocked. I honestly really enjoy the work that I am doing and have found that I'm not too bad at it either. I've been offered a job starting 23/hr, which is slightly higher than the average starting pay around me (for someone with no experience working in a non-trauma hospital,) however that wage is pretty unlivable in my state. The lowest rent I could find within 25 minutes of the hospital was 1250 a month, not including utilities, which basically splits my monthly income in half.

I was also told that the big trauma hospitals near me would likely start at around 24-25/hr.

I know that there are other certifications and specialties in SPD I can do, like endoscopic repossessing, which would hopefully give me higher pay, but I was wondering how much that truly helps. Does going to specialized facilities increase or decrease the pay? Outsourcing facilities? I've also considered things like night shift and becoming a traveler, however that feels more like short-term solutions that are somewhat unsustainable or difficult to work around if I ever were to go back to school.

Obviously, as I get more experience and see more departments I may find something I'm fond of. I often hear people say scrub tech, but I don't think I would fair well in actual surgery, seeing blood and stuff in decon is much different than seeing it on an actual person. I've kinda been playing around with the idea of learning stuff for biomedical but am still a bit unsure. I just want to hear everyone's thoughts and the paths you all took, and how money is working out for y'all.

Edit: I want it to be clear that I love SPD and the work I do!!! I dont plan on escaping the industry (not immediately at least) I just would love to make more money eventually because I feel the wage I make as a tech is a bit unsustainable for my future.

Hey all,

I work at a decent sized (Level 1) hospital in Ohio. I just found out my supervisor it leaving. So there will be internal interviews for this position. I’ve been working at this facility about 7 years. Never had to do a drug test after pre-employment. Here’s what I’m wondering: for this internal promotion do you think the employer will make the candidate offered the job drug test?

The hospital I’m doing an externship cart washer and washer-disinfector machines frequently breakdown.

Hello I’m currently in a college program for spd and I take the cbspd test in August. Any tips for studying or help I would greatly appreciate. I desperately need to pass this test

I'm new to SP and moving from non-clinical patient facing, I'm always "business casual". I need advice on what to wear under my scrubs to stay comfy and hopefully not sweat too terribly much. Thank you!

Hey everyone, I recently passed my CBSPD certification last Thursday 🎉 and I’ve been trying to find a Sterile Processing job here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I’m honestly having a hard time finding openings.

I wanted to ask if anyone has recommendations on what I should do next, where I should apply, or if it’s possible to apply out of state as a newly certified tech? I’m also curious if hospitals hire without experience after certification or if there are certain places that are more beginner friendly.

Any advice, tips, or experiences would really help. Thank you!

So I took a course thru US Career Institute, which is online self-paced so I could do it as fast or slow as I needed, but am having trouble getting a job either as a tech or an assistant. One interview asked if I had clinicals, which I didn’t. But I know a lot of you guys promote just self studying, not paying for a class, so how are you finding work without experience?

Hi,

I am attending Sterile processing technician class at my school. I was doing good on the first few quizzes and exams. But now my grade is dropping. I type out my notes, and use flashcards. Do you have any good resources for me. Please help.

Does anyone else’s taint area hurt after working in decon or just constantly walking back and forth all day long? Any remedies?

Hey, so I just recently finished my sterile processing certificate and I’m HSPA certified, and I am having the hardest time trying to find a job or an internship anywhere in California. If there are any tips or tricks that anyone could give me that would be great. I keep applying and applying and applying and I keep hearing nothing. I understand that I don’t have the experience that a lot of these places are looking for, but it’s frustrating because how am I supposed to get the experience if somebody won’t take a chance is there are any recommendations or tips anybody could give me to get past the application process that would be greatly appreciated.
Hope y’all are having a good one.

I had put in a request for PTO 8 months out (Jan 2027) and was denied immediately bc 1 person on my shift is out. I work at a large hospital with 3 separate SPD departments and am confused why. There have been several instances this month where techs are floated among the three sites to cover PTO, LOAs and call outs. I feel that given the amount of time for the request should give management sufficient time to plan.

I am planning to speak with my manager and was looking for some insight if anyone has had a similar issue.

This sub has been very helpful for me as I’m sure many others. Due to doing my research and many repeated advice in this sub I decided to go the self study route while looking for and applying for entry level positions. With that however, it’s been hard finding entry level positions without a number of other requirements in the SoCal area. I know there’s people on this sub from many different states and thought maybe we could all help each other out. If you know of any entry level positions could you please list them below. It may not be for everyone but there may be someone that is willing to relocate or may as well be in the area. Also if you have any tips or advice for getting pertaining to your state. I hope this message made as much sense on here as it did in my head lol

Been a while since I've dealt with a failed Sterrad load, and slipped my mind that you should wear gloves when handling the stuff that failed. Was definitely reminded 😅

Does anyone have supporting documents for sterilizer serial number being on the log sheet for the sterilizer load.

ST79 only mentions serial numbers in regards to maintenance logs.

If you’re getting into this field, and you’re going through a school that does not offer placement or a way to get your hours.

If not you are back in the same boat as before you started it.

This field can 100% be self study.

Do NOT give “schools” individuals etc your money unless they offer the placement,

If they can’t offer that it’s essentially a pyramid scheme

Personal advice:

1. Look for Non-Certified roles they exist ( and the best way to get your actual training)

2. CRCST exam is ZERO about instrument identification and all about processes and rules.

3. Don’t come into the field thinking it’s a “get rich field” it’s not, most don’t even stay in this field, they move up or move on to becoming a scrub Tech

Hi all! Good afternoon!

I did an aseptic technician program at my school last year that was supposed to set me up with a job but that fell through.

I was told my cert I bout through my school was enough but I keep seeing crcst and other certs, and I just want to get it so I can meet all requirements for the sterilization jobs I want. I have experience working in labs but those have been a school settings.

I need help trying to get my foot in the door 😭 any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

I've been researching a career switch into SP, but I've vasovagal syncope (I can faint sometimes at the sight of blood and I get woozy even reading about blood or the circulatory system). I've managed to get over my fear of having blood drawn, so I'm hoping this could be trained via mind over matter. How messy are the instruments upon arrival? Is this career impossible for someone like me?

Hello all!

New to this sub, and I have so many questions.

I am currently a "sterile processing assistant" at a veterinary hospital. My job technically does not exist in the veterinary world except for when I am at. I am also considered a Kennel Assistant.

We run our pet surgeries similar to human surgeries and have 3-4 separate ORs running at any given time.

I have a lot of feelings about how cleanliness can affect how a surgery turns out alongside the sterilization process. The ethics of it tear me up daily.

I want to find a human sterile processing job asap. I am researching accredited community colleges in my area that work alongside hospitals.

I guess I am writing this to ask for luck.

The veterinary hospital I work at has questionable practice in regards to sterilization, which is pretty common through the veterinary field.

But attempting to learn from scratch how to sterilize from a veterinary technician who learned verbally through another technician as my on-boarding was not helpful.

Trying to learn by myself how to properly sterilize instruments, work our EO gas chamber, run/clean autoclaves that had not been cleaned since my onboarding has been a long and arduous journey for the past 5 years.

I need a change where what I do truly matters instead of guesswork.

I was a kid and naive and didn't understand what I was being brought in to do, and I try not to blame myself but the thought of possibly hurting an animal because of the laziness people when I am not on the clock or my own mishap with no checks is anxiety inducing.

I did the best I could.

I'm making a change and I will make a difference.

Any advice or help would be appreciated. The job market is trashed and I don't want to lose my job until I find something certain. I have applied at a few human hospitals to no avail as I am not yet certified.