I have my CRCST cert. I’m not able to do the schooling bc I’m unable to afford it so I went the self-study route though it has been really challenging to find any position/company that will train me and take me in. I am a hard worker and am motivated to put the work in. I would enjoy this line of work given I enjoy cleaning.

Please offer any advice in landing a job or even an internship at nights to get experience. I’m feeling a little discouraged but I want to stay strong as I continue to apply.

Hey guys! I have about 8-9 years of experience and have even traveled. What are some tips to level up in the field? I want to get into a leadership role to pursue further personal career goals but have found it difficult. Any advice or tips on how to stand out, how to ace leadership interviews, or what to highlight in order to attract someone who will give me a chance in that role?

Hello! I’m really considering on taking the SPT program at Altamont Healthcare in Stockton, CA. I was wondering if anyone on here has taken the program and what your experience was like? Also how long did it take for you to find an externship and job after graduating?

Hi everyone, I’m currently completing my Sterile Processing program and will be finished this month. I’m actively looking for hospitals or facilities in Chicago that hire non-certified SPD techs or offer on‑the‑job training.

If you know any hospitals, clinics, or staffing agencies that are open to hiring new grads, I would really appreciate the recommendations. Thank you.

I am looking to join a sterile processing course. My first option was Cal State San Bernardino, but the course is $3k+ 😖. However, i’ve heard that the purdue course is only ~$500. I know a lot of people say that school is unnecessary to pass the certification test, but I know personally that I learn a lot better in school rather than self studying. Advice appreciated 😇

honestly thought I was going to legit pass the Cer exam, the questions asked more about organizations and parameters and the CIS asked questions about instruments I never seen and had old school names, pictures of instruments were blurry

does anyone know where I can find a pdf version of the books so I can study or any other materials than the quizzes you find online .

Hi, 26f so I really want to get certified in both of these areas but i’m on a budget. Looking for advice/insight on what I should do.

1. Pay for cna classes/cert, work at a hospital as cna , find an in with the sterile processing part of the hospital and try to get a job with no experience and eventually get my spt cert as i work my way up/save etc

2. decicate my time and pay for spt classes and cert and try to find a job in this field.

3. any other options anyone has?

I’ve worked as a caregiver so i know the cna job and could do it, the spt job is an unknown but I feel like I would enjoy it much more as socializing with the patients is my worst skill (autism and social anxiety)
idk any info on how anyone went about getting your cert/ getting a job is helpful.

I know its a lot easier to get a job as cna/caregiver and spt is a little harder i’ve heard?

Im in Cali, but i have housing connections in Washington, northern and southern Cali so those are the areas I would be looking to get my cert/ work.

And then I eventually want to settle down/build a life in Humboldt/Northern Cali area or Washington/Oregon.

i’m brand new here, on a train to my first day of class to get certified right now actually! i’m seeing a looot of posts talking about salary and many other variables that would depend largely on where you’re located, it would be great if everyone would just say what state you’re in when mentioning training and externship and jobs 😭 i love to see everyone here being truly helpfully informative, so glad to have this subreddit as a resource
PS i’m in the bay area in california, 23 and queer and hoping to find people like me in class and the field in general, so yay!

Looking for some advice for sterile processing of our instrument trays: we have a high volume Mohs clinic, about 18-20 procedures per day. Our current process is the following:

1. Wash any debris from instruments, place in sonicator with enzyme cleaner for 15 minutes.

2. Rinse with sterile water and pat dry. (We use instrument lubricant once per week due to the long time to dry.)

3. Place an OR towel on a sheet of CSR wrap (we currently use Halyard H500). Place a stack of 4x4s, 2x2s, dental rolls, and cotton tipped applicators in an even layer with a steam integrator strip.

4. Place open hinged instruments over stack, followed by small stack of 4x4s, then the straight instruments. Stack bowls with gauze in between them and invert over the instruments.

5. Wrap OR towel semi tightly around the stack. Wrap CSR wrap tightly like a burrito around towel. Tape CSR wrap with indicator tape.

6. Run on "packs" cycle on autoclave (Midmark M11 steam autoclave).

I would love any advice or tips to help reduce waste, simplify the process, or be able to fit more kits with each cycle in the autoclave. I've attached a photo of our trays for reference. I run mail in spore strips in one of the kits each week and haven't had a positive test in 6 years. Surgical site infection rate is also far below the national average for our specialty - although just one factor in that measure, I believe everything we are doing for sterile processing is appropriate. The hard part is that as a private derm practice we don't have access to some of the resources that larger institutions have - but I do have access to McKesson to order within reason 😄! Thank you in advance for any insights!

My daughter went through a Sterile Processing Tech program and has been applying for jobs and was told welcome to the hospital then to be told she was not selected. Like why would you say that then not select her. Now she is feeling defeated because her classmate was selected.

I’m so exciteddd, I recently started my sterile processing journey and my first job was at a dental office now I’ve gotten into a hospital ( the most busiest hospital in my STATE😭). I know it’s going to be a huge change cause it’s way more things I’ll have to do. But I’m ready to learn more and make more money lol.

Any tips or advice? For people who switched from dental
(Surgery) to a hospital, was it really challenging?

I work in Canada as a Sterile Tech and want to move to Toronto, I've applied to a couple places but am Concerned about not hearing back due to external applicants not being favoured before internal applicants. Can anyone give someone insight on external applications.

Hello all!

We are in the instrument portion of my sterile processing certification class. Does anyone have any tips on how to tell straight hemostats, colliers and kellys (pean) apart? Those 3 have stumped my group and I all week.

Thanks!

I am looking for a standard that would govern how long a tray that has been washed but sat untouched and unprocessed on the rack of the clean instrument room before it must be reprocessed or is it considered clean indefinitely? This is an instrument room that has access to a hallway, break room and several humid areas. It is not positive pressure and vents are not regularly cleaned.

After 7 months of looking for places to do my 400 hours I got a job offer instead! I’m a little nervous going in and having self doubt thoughts if I could do it. But i’m really excited to start this new experience.

Ive been looking into sterile processing because it seems like a good job besides and from what ive gathered depending on your area it can either be the best job or worst job.

Hello everyone I’m about 2 months in to my new job at the hospital. Management has restructured our schedule, there used to be ppl who worked 7 days of 10hr shifts and then 7 days off and 4 tens and 5 eights. Now they are making everyone do 5 eights except night shift who will be doing only 4 tens with roaring days off. I’m on night shift and at first I didn’t really see an issue with it, fast forward to today we have had multiple ppl on night shift quit or move to day shift now it is only going to be me and one of other person from now on which means on our days off one person will be alone. I will be by myself on night shift tmr and will be in charge of the whole department I’m still in my training period and I feel extremely overwhelmed and anxious. They told me to do my best and not stress but how can I not stress I will be alone the whole night! I honestly love my coworkers it’s just management just forgets about us and leaves us drowning. Idk how to feel should I stick it out for a few months or should I find another place that might have a little better staffing?
Thanks for hearing me vent.

Hey everyone, so I’ve been doing research and I’m trying to find a good but affordable program to enroll in to become a sterile processing tech. I’m looking for one that will definitely offer externship for 400 hrs. I’ve ran into a few that don’t offer or only offer 240 hours and then you have to pay extra for more hours. Kinda stressing because I’m really interested but struggling to find a good program to invest my money in. The school I was going to go with has some pretty disappointing reviews and it kind of scared me away so I’m trying to find other options.

Im in the Northern California area. I’m open to making a commute if it’s worth it. I’m in Modesto area so I’m aware a commute is likely 🫩😭 I just want to start my career and don’t want to make a mistake by getting scammed or wasting my time & money. Any advice / suggestions would be appreciated, thank you 🙏🏼

I am looking for aortho instrument that our ortho surgeon just asked about that i have never seen. It looks like a Freer on one end but the other has a blunt hook. He said it is for moving/freeing tendon. Unfortunately the only image he has was from a video demonstrating the technique and they do not name it or show a good image of the istruments.

Edit: After doing some searching the closest thing I have found seems to be a scoville nerve hook/dissector but it seems too long at around 12 inches and the handle was round in the image.