How many times can you take the sterile processing exam?

Candidates can register to take the exam anytime during the window subject to availability at the test site selected. Any candidate in the U.S. may sign up for more than one different exam during the current one-week exam window. The candidate may NOT sign up for the same exam more than once during any exam window.

Do sterile processing techs wear scrubs?

All personnel entering the decontamination, preparation, sterilization, and sterile storage areas should wear clean uniforms that are provided by and donned at the facility. Attire should be changed daily or more often as needed (i.e., when wet, grossly soiled, or visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids).

How do you get certified in sterile processing?

Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

1. Completion of 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) hours performing SPD activities with provided verification.
2. Completion of a Sterile Processing Technician Training Course with a passing grade of 70 or higher.

How do I get experience in sterile processing?

After completing your high school diploma or equivalent, you can enroll in a sterile processing technician training program at a community college, training school, or online to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for the job. Some sterile processing technicians get this experience through on-the-job training.

What do you need to know about sterile processing technician?

Sterile processing technician programs are designed to help prepare students for a career and professional certification in the field and may include course topics in areas like:

What happens to an instrument after being sterilized?

Once sterilized, the instrument will either be sent back to a procedure room to be used again, or into sterile storage until it is needed again for a procedure. Sterile Processing Department Technicians are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a safety precaution to prevent exposure to potentially infectious bacteria. 1

What is sterile processing and what is sterilization?

Sterile processing is the cleaning and sterilization of devices used in medical procedures. Learn more at the STERIS Knowledge Center.

What’s the average wage for a sterilization technician?

For example, the website noted that technicians that had 20 years or more of work experience made an hourly wage of $18.67. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reported that the median hourly wage for medical equipment preparers, including those who sterilize equipment, was $17.42 in 2018.