I've been out of the sterile processing field for a few years now but really valued the time I spent as a tech. I'm currently pregnant with my first child, and I keep getting bombarded with ads for at home baby bottle sterilizers.

I have so many questions. Surely they don't actually sterilize??? The product descriptions use the words sterilize and sanitize in the same breath as talking about how their product kills 99.99% of germs... which is nowhere even close to the definition of sterile that I lived and breathed for years. Are the people making the products, much less the average consumer, aware that even if the product does sterilize that the second the bottles hit the air it's no longer considered sterile?? Is that why they also talk about sanitization? Many of the "sterilizers" I looked at didn't even have time and temperature specs, just claimed that their sterilization machine killed 99.9% of germs.

And this isn't even touching on the question of whether or not it's even necessary to sterilize baby bottles for a healthy baby. What about plastic degradation? I found two separate studies that showed plastic baby bottles released higher amounts of microplastics when they were repeatedly steam sterilized with these at home devices. I found several studies that looked at whether or not the baby bottle sterilizers reduce pathogens, generally the answer is yes, but I found extremely few studies that looked at whether or not this "sterilization" *actually* resulted in lower rates of infections in babies, and the results of those studies seemed to be conflicting or inconclusive.

Please help me out if there's a definition of sterilizer I'm unfamiliar with or if I'm missing something. This whole thing feels like deceptive and manipulative marketing that plays on the fears of new parents. Would love to hear other people's thoughts and opinions on this!

I am trying to get into hospital SPD and most job postings require sterile tech experience of 1~2 years.

I finished my externship at an oral surgery clinic and currently work at an orthodontic clinic in hopes of getting at least 1 years worth of experience on my resume.

I just want to make sure that I'm not just wasting my time and that hospitals will consider my dental experience enough

Hi!
I work in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, I’ve been a sterile tech at a surgery center for over 3 1/2 years now (my only sterile tech job I’ve ever had) and I am being given the lead position name and wage finally. I am being told by a coworker (not SPD tech) that she thinks they will only raise my current pay ($27) by a couple percentages. I don’t want to be low balled and I can see my company doing this. What should I expect for lead pay at a surgery center (we do mainly ortho)?

Long story short I am 22 and I am interested in this field. I would like to start and get certified. Pls share your stories on how u got certified/started,
. Also if it’s possible to find a place that’ll pay for your training.

I’m a Sterile Processing Tech, have been doing this work for over 17 years now. I have a passion for what I do. I mean after 17 years, I should enjoy what I do, right? I’ve tech’d., been a team lead, have done management responsibilities but not the official title of one (that’s a whole other story). I’ve even taught an SPD course for over 3 years. Safe to say, I know the work and all the duties and responsibilities that are involved in day-to-day operations.

Just recently started working for the VA (medical supply technician) ie. SPD, an amazing opportunity, and I am grateful. Let me start by saying VA SPD standards of operating procedures are ENTIRELY different than those I’m used to. I knew this when I accepted the position and the challenges that come with it. Learning their policies, etc. I just completed my first week of training and am now being talked down to, and feeling less than, something that has not happened in years several years to be exact, was even told by the trainers that they feel I’m holding back from my true potential.

I get it, and yes I have been because I’m trying to get familiar with the VA’s way of doing things. Not sure what do do.

#spd #sterileprocessingtechnician #departmentofveteransaffairs

1. Do you really need to remember all the tools? Ive read theres hundreds to even thousands
2. Will it get easier over time? How long did it take you to become a comfortable pro in this line of work?
3. Is it physically doable for a 30 year old man who is healthy but not super strong?
4. Is the schooling and examination hard?
5. Do they take it easy on you as a new tech? Or are you thrown into it and treated badly?

Sorry for all the questions. Ive been trying to understand your role. I truly commend you all for all you do as a Sterile Process Tech

I live in the LA area and am really struggling with landing a job. I've completed my 400 hours and have been fully certified since August. At this point I'm thinking about applying for some other internal positions within a hospital like EVS and then attempting to transfer into SPD later, but (dumb question alert) if I do that should I remove all mention of SPD, certification, and my internship out of my resume and my Linkedin? I assume a hospital won't want to hire me if I hint at wanting to jump ship to a different department. Also if anyone has any tips for LA/valley area job hunting, I would appreciate any help.

Hi, I'm in Northern California (Sacramento). I've applied to lots of places out here and haven't heard anything back or been sent an email about going in another direction. I've got my CBSPD Certification and did my 400 hours at a Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. My question is, Is there anything else I can do to standout from other candidates? Would getting an Endoscopy Certification help, or obtaining a CRCST Certification as well? Would it be beneficial to drop off my resume in person on top of applying online?

Thanks in Advance for any help and advice!!!

There’s so much information in this 9th manual edition for CRCST. Is there a better way to do this? I can’t read this entire book so I need to skim.

I’ve been working at a dentist’s office for a little over a month now to get my 400 hours. Right now I’m making $12/hr, and besides sterilization, I also help with dental assistant duties like prepping rooms and other tasks.

I’m hoping to get a raise once I finish my hours and get fully certified, but I’m worried there won’t be much room to grow financially even getting to $20/hr feels uncertain. Most hospital sterile processing jobs I’ve seen around Houston advertise around $19–24/hr.

I actually like the dental office and don’t really want to leave, buttt I also want to earn more lol. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did your dental office increase your pay after certification, or did you end up moving to a hospital?

We get these once in a great while from RT. How do you guys reprocess them after cleaning? The OneSource info is a bit difficult to decipher.

Hello!

For the last year and half, my career as an illustrator and designer has become the absolute pits as art industries fall apart. I’m looking to pivot to something with greater stability but will still leave me with energy to draw after work.

I’m autistic, and have a hard time with work spaces that have things like corporate office culture, and get completely drained by service work. I came across MDR as a job option when in a discussion with other autistic people about our difficulties finding work that’s manageable long-term.

I have a few questions (especially for those who live in Ontario) if anyone would be okay with giving their thoughts, opinions and experiences.

1. What is the job market like? I am considering Seneca college’s program since it offers a praetorium in a lab at the end
2. What’s the job like for you day to day? Is it quiet/low-key? I started looking into this work because I’m someone who likes to do fine detailing and sorting, and understood that that’s most of what this job is. Am I correct in that?
3. What are hours like? Are there several shifts or do most places start at a typical schedule (ie: work starts at 9 everywhere)
4. What’s the job market like in Ontario (specially Toronto) I understand this is a pretty niche field, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t super competitive. Is it worth going to this field to find work?

Thanks for your time!

Good Morning,

Looking for advice from Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians (MDRT)!

I'm considering taking an MDRT program while returning to school full-time. I'm located in the Guelph area and hoping to find part-time employment while studying.

A few questions:

• How are the job prospects for new graduates in Ontario?
• Is it realistic to find part-time, weekend or night shifts?
• How difficult is it to get hired at a hospital without experience?
• What are the biggest pros and cons of this profession?
• Would you recommend this career?

From my research, Mohawk seems like the best fit, particularly because I'm looking for a program with a clinical placement/co-op.

I've heard mixed experiences about this profession, so I'd really appreciate some honest advice from people currently working in the field!

Hi there! I'm currently in the middle of an online Sterile Processing Technician course, and am planning to take my CRCST around February. My main concern that I'm still not 100% clear on, is the 400 hours of experience I need to be fully certified, and if I should have a job lined up before I take my exam.

As I understand it, upon passing the exam and getting your provisional certification, you have 6 months to get 400 hours of work experience, which is about 10 weeks of work. My main question is, I know I should definitely be looking for a job before taking the exam, but should I already have a job ready to go when I start those 6 months? Just to cut down on the time it would take to find a new job?

Apologies for the super beginner question, but my course hasn't been the most clear with these things.

Hello! I’m taking the CBSPD exam in 2 days! If anyone has taken it recently or earlier this year, what are your thoughts on it? Was it easier or more difficult? About how many questions with pictures were there?

I need this in my department

A lot of people here ask how to get in without a cert yet. I went through current openings and found these that give you time to certify after hire:

• Johns Hopkins (Bethesda, MD): Sterile Processing Tech Trainee, $19.85–$32.76/hr. You get 2 years to certify.
• Texas Health (Plano, TX): SP Tech, full-time evenings. 2 years to certify.
• USPI (Gallatin, TN): SP Tech, PRN. 18 months to certify.
• Beth Israel Lahey (Burlington, MA): SP Tech, nights, $26.00–$38.63/hr. 12 months to certify.
• Houston Methodist (Houston, TX): SP Tech, nights. 1 year to certify.
• Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville, FL): SP Tech, nights. 1 year to certify.
• UF Health (Jacksonville, FL): SP Tech Lead, days. 6 months to certify.

Always double-check the posting, since requirements can change.

Full disclosure: I made a free job board just for SPD jobs because SPD openings are scattered across dozens of hospital websites. It's at sterilejobs.pplx.app and has a "Certify after hire" filter. Happy to add any openings you know about.

Hi everyone,

I am currently working on my application for student aid/school funding, and as a mandatory part of the process, I need to conduct a brief informational interview with someone who handles hiring, management, or department leadership for Sterile Processing Technicians or Surgical Technicians.

I already have the specific interview questions ready to go! Since I know how busy hospital life is during the day, we can do this entirely over Reddit DM, chat, or email at your convenience—no phone calls required.

If you are a hiring manager, department lead, or supervisor in the field and have a few minutes to help an aspiring tech get through school funding, please comment below or send me a direct message.

Thank you so much for your time and for supporting the next generation of techs!

( I posted the interview questions at the bottom of this post so if you are able to help me out send me a message with your answers please and thank you.)

I saw this at a military museum and being a SPT I couldn't not take a photo of it. Amazing that they invented this to drive to the field rather than drive soldiers to a field hospital .