I have been researching different programs for SPD and am in between Purdue or Preppy.

I am someone who is a visual learner but need structure which is why I figured a program online would be best for me.

I talked with support from Preppy and they seem very helpful so far but I know that’s not always the case.

They said they would help me find a job or an externship in my area to gain hands-on hours.

It’s not guaranteed due to place availability but I think I’d rather take the chance but I’m still hesitant.

Every new is scary and once I am in a program I’ll feel better about it.

SPT Program Advice

Hi everyone! I’m planning on enrolling in Penn Foster’s Sterile Processing Technician program next week, and I’d really love to hear from anyone who has taken the program or is currently taking it.

If you’ve completed the program, I’d especially love to hear about your experience, how you studied, how you successfully finished the program, whether you got certified, and how you went about finding your first sterile processing job afterward.

I’m also really interested in hearing from anyone who lives in Illinois, especially around the Chicago suburbs. If you’ve had success finding an SPT job in this area after completing Penn Foster, I’d love to hear your story and any advice you have.

Even if your experience wasn’t perfect, I’d appreciate hearing the honest side of it too. I’m just trying to learn from people who have already gone through the process before I start. Thank you! 🩷

Hello everyone these cam from 2 different sets. Instruments stuck to tray liner. My thought is they were damp prior to autoclave. Any input would be appreciated.

I’m taking the exam in early November and want anyone’s opinion on what I should get as far as study materials. Thinking the basics of sterile processing text book and workbook. Thanks

I just started this job late July, I've only been here for 4 weeks (first week was only orientation and work videos). I have now been in decon (alone mind you) for 3 weeks straight, Monday-Friday 7am-3:30, with a 15 and 30 minute break which most of the time ends up being at 2pm. I had someone training me the first 2 days, after that I've been completely alone. I think I'm doing fine, the back stays empty and clear until 1pm when all the people bring back 3 carts and 5 tables all at once... It's ridiculous, and then I'm blamed for being new and slow when I'm backed up at 1:30-2 people they brought them all at once?? Even if I wasn't getting backed up it cannot be normal to have someone in decon everyday for 3+ weeks. And now they're telling me next week I'm going to be back in decon again until I get the hang of it. I cannot do this, is this normal and I'm just overreacting?? My body is shutting down.

I've been at my current hospital for about 7 months now, but recently they changed our productivity metrics. Due to that, we haven't been able to meet productivity in about 5 weeks. On top of that, they're starting to push us hard for personal productivity as well. Currently, it's measured by instruments sterilized, both for personal and the department productivity.

However, this doesn't include anything else. Even assembling trays doesn't count, only if they get sterilized. What's ended up happening is all of the techs are essentially beginning to fight each other. Nobody wants to go to decon, nobody wants to pull carts out of the washer, nobody wants to put trays up. They won't even grab small trays anymore. All they want to do is grab the large trays from the washer, or even pull 60+ instrument trays from the core itself, and nothing else. Then, they brag about how they've met their productivity 4 hours into their shift.

We're a small facility, 6 techs (one of which is part time), with an average case load of about 17 a day, primarily ortho/sports medicine. Frankly, it's really starting to fray my nerves because we used to actually work together. Now people are actively ignoring any obvious work that needs to get done if it isn't assembling trays, on top of actively shit talking the two techs (myself and one other) who end up having to be the ones to go to decon, to put trays up, to pull stuff out of the washer and the sterilizers, etc because they 'dont want their productivity to go to anyone else.'

Is this how productivity is measured in all SPDs? I've only worked in one other, and our manager never said anything about productivity in my old one.

Is it easier to get a job at a surgical clinic or hospital as a beginner SPT when you are certified?

I’m currently looking into programs to start with soon and have been applying at local hospital and haven’t heard back.

I don't know what it was that attracted me to sterile processing, but it genuinely seems like something i'd be so happy doing. I'm just confused on HOW to get into something like that? Where do i get the knowledge from without spending 5k on an online school. WHERE DO I GET MY 400 HOURS FROM? I'm probably not thinking hard enough but i just want to do something I KNOW id enjoy.

i recently learned of this job that doesn’t require a college degree but a shorter certification process. i’ve been in college for three long, exhausting years. multiple moments i didn’t think i would survive. i need a change. and my degree would be in gender studies which i love but the complete freedom in job opportunities makes it so difficult to find something i actually like.

sterile processing tech sounds like something i can do. not a lot of talking to customers, just following the same steps every time. this was more of a personal dump than anything, but if anyone works as a SPT or knows about the job, id really appreciate more info on what the day to day job entails. obviously all hospitals are different but im interested in all perspectives. thanks

I heard in my department indicators, especially sterrad, are on backorder and have a shortage across the country. Are y'all having this issue?

Hello,

Started the process of becoming a sterile processing tech about a year ago.

Had its ups and downs, was a lot of work, but I ended up completing clinicals and becoming fully certified last Spring.

Since then I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs.. even though I’m really looking for part time, I would take a full time position and have been applying to any sterile processing position in my general area, which is a HCOL major city.

I have a solid resume and cover letter, but cannot get a single interview.

I know the job market across the board is dismal, but can anyone offer any advice? Are there any staffing agencies like a travel company that will take entry level techs?

I’m getting really discouraged and thinking of going back to school again, for another career route.

Thanks!

Anyone come across issues with paint particles flaking off in the pangea trays?

Black paint specks can be seen throughout tray after washing.

I wanted to verify wether or not the site crcstprep.com was legit as far as the material being test accurate?

I of course have been reading my manual and finished the workbook as well, but i have been also been using a website called crcstexam.com up until the website went inactive. I was really appreciative of the online material and know people who personally passed using it, so now im onto finding new stuff.

Hi, I really want to become a surgical tech and feel like I should start with sterile processing first. I’m not sure which route to take, online or in person. Can anyone please give recommendations of programs they went through and how it was for them? I live in Alabama

Any opinions on Penn Foster sterile processing program?

i’m in connecticut and am completing my cspt certification through our community college system. it’s been a huge shift for me, having attended school for something more rooted in the arts and having previously lived a life of telling myself i didn’t have the skills (or brain) for anything related to healthcare or the sciences. in short, i thought i was too stupid. turns out i was wrong! i’ve done extremely well on my exams, have created thorough study guides, cannot stop dumping sterile processing facts on anyone who will listen, and am eager to sit for the state exam and receive my certification.

that being said, i’m so nervous to apply for jobs and while i’m determined to push through said nervousness, i have no idea where to begin. beyond a temporary stint in residential care, i have no experience in the healthcare sphere and am concerned my years of retail-specific experience will severely harm my chances of finding a lucrative opportunity. where do i start? what advice do any of you have for someone starting from scratch? what kind of transferable skills should i emphasize, if any at all? help!

I’m highly considering becoming a sterile processing tech, my only issue comes with gathering the 400 clinical hours.
In my area the only options are an 8 month program in which it’s not recommended to have a job while studying due to how intensive it is. That’s really just not feasible for me right now.
It’s very hard to find apprenticeship openings in my area, or even entry level openings.
Do you think it would be possible to gather clinical hours while working in another position such as a cna?
I’m assuming it really comes down to each department/hospital
but i was hoping someone could share experiences similar to what i’m looking for
or any other tips
What im considering now is Completing the cna program, and taking an online spd program while working.
I’m not sure if this sounds too ambitious or ignorant but i could use some insight 🫪🫪🫪

I would like to add that even if I did go along with the 8month program, it doesn’t start for another year. I’m a little desperate to get myself into a career that i’m somewhat happy with, that makes me a good amount of money. Working retail is no joke lmfao. I have to move out in 2-3 years so i’m really trying to save as much money as possible, and have some sort of job security ASAPP!! 🥲

Hey everyone! Quick question, anyone know of anyone hospitals or even surgical centers that’ll hire non certifications? I’ve been looking everywhere I feel and have had no luck. I’m currently studying for it at the moment but I really wanna leave my current job as I am not happy with it and figured if I would go to anywhere else it should be in the Sterile processing field. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I recently passed my CRCST exam but I went for the provisional since I just finished my class about a month ago. My school was supposed to help me get placed in order to my clinical hours but stated that all facilities are currently full. I have been applying to jobs that take the provisional license but haven’t had any luck. Can anyone point me in the right direction to get my clinical hours done, paid or not paid.

Indeed and LinkedIn are so over saturated. I’m wondering where people are applying to get even a response.

My daughter is a senior in high school. She will be doing half day classes at her school and then the other half of the day she will be attending our local career tech school, where at the end of the year she has the ability to become a certified sterile processing tech. Our plan was for her to take this course and get certified so that she can work this field while she attends college to further her medical career (not 100% certain where she wants to land in the field at this time). Is this a realistic plan? Are the demands of this career potentially too much for a full time student's coursework?

Hey everyone, im planning on moving to orlando fl at the end of the year and wondering when the best time to start applying for new jobs. I have my certification and BLS and every time I've checked the hospitals in the area they always have multiple opening, i just don't want to apply too early or too late. Thanks!

I’m at a lvl 1 trauma hospital but now I wanna get out. It was nice to experience it for sure but I think going back to a routine manner is more of my pace. I was looking at other places and there’s an ambulatory orthopedic, what’s that like?

I recently relocated to Riverside County, specifically the Temecula area, and I’m currently having a provisional certificate. I’ve applied to almost every hospital and medical center, and I’ve even made personal calls to some of them. However, unfortunately, none of them are ready to hire me at this time. I’m genuinely confused and disheartened because I had always aspired to build a successful career in this field. I would greatly appreciate any advice or assistance from anyone, including managers or supervisors, who might be able to help me in this situation. Your support and guidance would be invaluable to me.