Sterile Processing Technician Salary In New York. Sterile Processing Technicians maintain the quality of patient care and environmental safety by performing activities such as cleaning, preparing and operating equipment within the sterile processing department.
As a Sterile Processing Technician, your skills will be utilized in the preparation of equipment, instrumentation and supplies used during surgical procedures. These are necessary so that your patients will not become infected with potentially life threatening disease while undergoing surgery.
Sterile Processing is the process of preparing instruments, devices and supplies that are used in patient procedures. When it comes to sterile processing in hospitals, there are many responsibilities, including cleaning and sterilizing equipment, packaging and distributing sterilized supplies for use during surgical procedures and ensuring that protocols are followed properly. If a piece of equipment doesn’t follow protocol and is improperly sterilized, then a patient could end up getting sick or may even lose their life as a result.
Sterile processing techs are sometimes referred to (or closely related to) other job titles, including the following: central processing technician (CPT), central service technician (CSS Technician), certified registered central service technician (CRCST), instrument technician, sterile preparation technician, sterile processing and distribution technician (SPD Technician), medical equipment preparers, or sterile technician.
Sterile Processing Tech Job Duties
Here are some of the common job duties of sterile processing techs:
- Clean and sterilize surgical equipment and supplies.
- Examine, operate, and maintain sterilizing machines such as steam autoclaves.
- Stock surgical tools and supplies
- Prepare, wrap, and organize equipment into instrument trays for use during medical procedures.
- Maintain detailed records of sterilization procedures, equipment maintenance, and supplies.
- Inspect equipment for damage and ensure that supplies have not expired.
Education Requirements for Sterile Processing Techs
To become a sterile processing technician, you’ll first need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Many employers will provide on-the-job training, but others may prefer to hire individuals with certification. However, many states do not require certification at this time.
Certification courses usually take about 9-12 months to complete, and you will have to take an examination. Some organizations such as the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) will allow certification if you have at least two years of job experience and pass a written exam.
Certification requirements often change, so you can check with the CBSPD for the latest requirements.
Sterile Processing Tech Pros and Cons
Every career has its advantages and disadvantages, and working as a medical equipment preparer is no different. Do sterile processing techs like their job? Yes, many enjoy their job. Here are some of the likes and dislikes of this career.
Here’s what sterile processing techs like about their job:
- Some like the solitary nature of the work. It’s a good job for introverted types because you don’t have to deal with quite as many people as other healthcare jobs.
- It can be fast-paced, which makes it go by faster.
- There are opportunities for advancement, and it’s a great foundation if you want to go into other careers such as a nursing, surgical tech, and more.
Here’s what sterile processing techs dislike about their job:
- Some of the sterile carts can be heavy to push, which can be physically difficult or exhausting.
- There are many different instruments you must learn, and many of these professionals stress the importance of learning these instruments.
- You may see some blood, tissue, and other things. However, it’s not as much as a surgical tech or another healthcare profession. So if you’re really squeamish, you may want to keep that in mind.
Sterile Processing Technician Salary In New York
Sterile Processing Technician Salary In New York
As a certified sterile processing technician in the state of New York, you can expect to make a median annual salary of $36,000. This is based on data collected by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The national average salary for someone who works as a sterile processing technician is $35,000 per year, which means that New York offers a higher salary than most states.
The top 10% of workers in this field make more than $49,000 per year while the bottom 10% make less than $23,000 annually.
1. Sterile Processing Technician Duties
Sterile processing technicians are the hero’s behind the smooth hospital environment. They play a crucial role in disinfecting tools and look for any shortcomings in the instruments. Also, they can order supplies for the inventory
2. Sterile Processing Technician Job Opportunities
Being an experienced sterile processing technician you are in high demand and will get jobs in any medical community, such as outpatient centres dental clinics, hospitals and physicians’ offices.
3. Sterile Processing Tech as a Problem Solver
If you are a person affiliated with a medical field, your critical thinking abilities are top-notch. You can solve complex situations without panicking and handle them timely.
4. Life Savior
Although you have little interaction with the patients, you play an essential role in their well-being. Clean tools/instruments help the patients to recover in a hygienic and safe environment.
5. A Cost-Effective Investment
In certificate programs, you don’t need to worry about taking student loans and paying them after graduation. Sterile processing technician program is a certified program that guarantees you a bright future without being a burden on your pocket.
6. Short-Term Course with Long-Term Benefits
Many students dislike the idea of studying for years and then getting employed. This program will hardly take 4 to 9 months until you get employed and earn exceptionally well.
7. Hands-on Experience
Hands-on experience helps to learn through trial and error. The technicians will practically do their job and will be more experienced. After the classroom training, sterile processing technicians work in clinics as internees and get ready for the work environment where their skills are needed.
8. Not Stationary
Sitting in one place for several working hours can cause boredom. The job of a sterile processing technician is a physical one that involves inspection of tools, disinfecting them, maintaining them, and delivering them to their required rooms.
9. Work on Suitable Hours
Pursuing this path, you can work on suitable hours. Being a sterile processing technician you don’t need to work all day long. You can schedule your working hours on weekends as well as holidays.
10. The Institute Depends on You
A technician’s sole responsibility is to create a clean environment to stop the spread of infectious diseases. If you are doing your job well, the whole department is surely going to benefit from it. If you are not vigilant and do not perform your duties properly, the whole department is going to suffer.
11. Sterile Processing Technician is a Promising Career
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow by 15% till, 2024. The medical institutes contain 60% of allied health care workers. Hence, the chances of your employment are maximized Also, the chance of working with experienced technicians will increase that will prove beneficial for your upcoming years.
12. You are Knowledgeable
Being a sterile processing technician you keep an eye on the happenings of your workplace. You’ll visit different places from the operating rooms to the laboratories. You are aware of the things which your co-workers are not exposed to.
13. Independent Member
As a sterile processing technician, you will be given many different tasks that you would manage without supervision. Your skills and experience will come into action at your workplace.
14. Get Acquainted with Tools
Sterile processing technicians deal with different tools and instruments used in surgery. You will get a better understanding of the surgical tools that will help you deliver more precise and personalized care
15. In-Demand
You’ll get various opportunities once you are certified. This in-demand profession will help you travel the world. Hence, you won’t just stick to one state or country but explore a wide range of work environments.
Sterile Processing Tech Salary
How much money does a sterile processing tech (or central processing tech) make per hour? How much of an income do they make per year? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these individuals make an average salary of $ 33,850 and an hourly wage of $16.28. Additional statistics are located below.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment | Employment RSE | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage | Wage RSE |
| 50,550 | 1.7 % | $16.28 | $33,850 | 0.4 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $10.72 | $12.76 | $15.51 | $18.63 | $23.07 |
| Annual Wage | $22,290 | $26,540 | $32,260 | $38,750 | $47,980 |
Industries with the highest levels of employment for central processing techs:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 35,100 | 0.67 | $16.38 | $34,070 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 3,660 | 0.52 | $17.16 | $35,690 |
| Offices of Physicians | 2,890 | 0.12 | $16.55 | $34,430 |
| Offices of Dentists | 2,380 | 0.27 | $13.08 | $27,200 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 900 | 0.37 | $17.65 | $36,700 |
Top paying industries for sterile processing techs:
| Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 50 | n/a | $23.24 | $48,340 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 110 | 0.01 | $18.62 | $38,740 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 40 | n/a | $18.38 | $38,230 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 900 | 0.37 | $17.65 | $36,700 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 3,660 | 0.52 | $17.16 | $35,690 |
