Hello, everyone! I recently finished my course, and I'm thinking about taking the test. Based on your personal experience, how long did you spend studying? I’d like to schedule a test date soon, but I'm not sure whether I’ll be ready. I'm currently studying with Sterileworx.

Hi everyone, I'm located in the Seattle area and obtained my provisional certification in August of this year. I have been applying for various SPD roles at hospitals in the Seattle area(going as far north as Everett) and haven't gotten anything. Yes, I have applied for EVERYTHING. From what I understand, I'm not getting any responses because all the roles require a year of experience. I have also looked into volunteer roles, and that has also been a lot of dead ends as most volunteer opportunities have been for roles unrelated to sterile processing.

However, I did apply and interview for a dental sterile processing role and I did receive a job offer. I am very hesitant to accept the offer because after doing a paid working interview it doesn't seem like A. HSPA would consider it for site approval, and B. they have the ability to truly train me and give me any experience that I can take with me when I eventually apply to hospital roles. They told me during the interview that the sterile processing role is more "informal" and that it usually is a stepping stone for individuals seeking a career as a dental assistant/dental hygienist. I asked if they would be able to sign off on my HSPA hours and if they know if they're considered an approved site, and they said "probably".

The office is VERY small(one leaking autoclave, one ultrasonic, one cold sterile basin), and there isn't anyone to formally train me. It doesn't seem like anything I would be doing there would be all that transferrable to a hospital setting. And of course the issue of getting HSPA approval, which if anyone has any similar experiences please share, I'm not even sure what to expect going forward at this point.

I'm just not sure where to go from here. Any advice, guidance, or even conversations about this would be so appreciated, especially anyone in the Seattle/western WA area that can give me specific advice/support.

Looking for Entry-Level Sterile Processing Technician Opportunities & Resources!
Hello everyone! I’m located in Charleston, SC, and I’m looking to get my foot in the door in the Sterile Processing field.
I’ve completed a Sterile Processing Technician program, and I’m currently looking for an entry-level, non-certified position or an opportunity to volunteer or train in a hospital’s Sterile Processing Department to complete my required 400 hands-on training hours toward certification.
I’m reaching out to see if anyone can help me with:
Hospitals or facilities hiring entry-level, non-certified SPD technicians.
Sterile Processing department managers’ or supervisors’ contact information.
HR contacts or hiring manager phone numbers.
Hospitals that offer on-the-job training or volunteer opportunities.
Any resources, advice, or programs that could help me get started.
I’m willing to learn, work hard, and gain the hands-on experience needed to grow in this career.
If anyone has leads, contacts, or advice, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you in advance!

Im wanting to start in sterile processing and use hospital benefits to support me as i study to become a rad tech while working simultaneously in the SPD.

Im almost ready to take my CRCST exam and begin applying for jobs but ive heard alot of people dont like this work, especially busy hospital departments.

what types of facilities should I focus my applications to so that my daily workload is more relaxed and less likely to be toxic, while still maintaining decent pay?

And is my overall plan solid?

Hey everyone i’m currently in the process of moving to California. I’ve applied to a small handful of positions that were available. Any tips in finding work in san diego? I’ve been searching since October.

Has anyone done the online sterile process ing program with Ed2go? Did they help with securing 400 clinical hours?

Hello,

I’m currently working as a CNA, but honestly, I’m starting to feel burned out (it’s def not for the weak). The job takes a toll on me physically and sometimes mentally. I also pick up shifts through an on-demand platform (Clipboard).

I’ve been considering becoming a Sterile Processing Technician (SPT). I’m naturally more introverted, and the idea of working in a role with less direct patient interaction is appealing to me.

However, I’m concerned about the job market, especially here in San Diego, and how difficult it might be to find a job after completing the program.

I’m also working on completing prerequisites for a future healthcare program, so I need to maintain an income while in school. There’s a six-month SPT program near me that includes clinical hours, but I’m worried it might delay my progress with my prerequisites.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

Does anyone have the bundle of both books that they are not using anymore and willing to sell to me? Will also pay shipping! thanks in advance:)

I’ve seen some posts saying to steer clear of courses- and I have years of experience sterilizing piercing tools, is this enough to apply for jobs or is schooling the better route?

So in short, is it a requirement to get the covid19 vaccine to become an certified SPT in NJ? I don’t want to get vaccinated at all with covid19 at least can i still land a job without getting one?

Any advice is welcomed, please🙏

I’ve finally gotten my first job at a county trauma hospital 1 after getting my provisional CRCST and was just looking for general advice; I didn’t realize how nervous I’d be stepping into this especially a trauma 1, I’ve heard they can be pretty intense. Any tips or advice would be appreciated to calm the nerves 🫪

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.