Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware
Working in the healthcare field doesn’t always have to involve direct patient care. Sterile processing technicians, also called central supply technicians or medical equipment preparers, are healthcare workers who make sure that supplies and medical equipment are clean, sterile and decontaminated, which is an important part of infection prevention. This role also involves storing and delivering equipment and supplies, making sure medical equipment is in good working order and taking inventory of stock on hand.
Requirements to Become a Delaware Sterile Processing Technician
Postsecondary training in sterile processing is expected by most employers in Delaware, although in rare cases there’s an opportunity to learn the needed skills through on-the-job training. To be accepted to a training program in a vocational school or community college, you’ll need to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. It’s not unusual to be expected to pass a background check and a drug test to work in healthcare settings.
Delaware Training Programs to Become a Sterile Processing Technician
Training programs can be completed in a year or less, or you can pursue a two-year degree at a community college. In these training programs, you’ll learn medical terminology, sterile processing regulations and procedures, medical instrument packaging and infection control. Delaware training programs to become a sterile processing technician include:
Delaware Technical Community College.
Located in Dover, DE, this is the only associate degree in surgical technology in Delaware. It’s a two-year program that includes science courses such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology and pharmacology along with focused classroom and hands on training in surgical technology.
- Learning Environment: The program combines classroom learning and lab environment training. Students also participate in actual surgical cases as part of their clinical experience.
Additional Information
- Connected Degree Program: This program enables students to complete an associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior.
- Accreditation: The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Harris School of Business. This career school with locations in Dover, DE, and Voorhees, NJ, offers a program in surgical technology, which prepares students for entry-level positions. Students learn medical law and ethics, instrumentation and sterilization procedures.
Penn Foster College – Online Sterile Processing Technician Certification
Take the first steps towards a career as a sterile processing technician with Penn Foster’s Sterile Processing Career Diploma. As a student in the program, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Call 1-800-851-1819 today.
Certification for Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware
Certification isn’t a requirement to work as a sterile processing technician in Delaware. Obtaining certification by passing a test through a national organization such as the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Management (IAHCSMM) is a way to prove to potential employers that you have the knowledge needed to fill this role in any healthcare setting.
Job Growth Outlook and Salary Expectations
As of the latest data, the average annual salary for Medical Equipment Preparers, also known as Sterile Supply Processing Technicians, in Delaware is $46,540. Salaries in this occupation can vary based on factors such as workplace setting, experience, and training. In Delaware, the lower 10% of earners in this field make $36,640 or less, while the top 10% earn $59,100 or more.
When considering a career path, it’s beneficial to look at fields with expected growth. Healthcare careers, including the role of Medical Equipment Preparers, are anticipated to grow. While specific growth rates from 2029 onwards are not provided, the trend suggests a continued demand for professionals in this area.
Annual Wages for Medical Equipment Preparers
| Location | Annual Low (10%) | Annual QL (25%) | Annual Median (50%) | Annual QU (75%) | Annual High (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $31,570 | $36,240 | $41,480 | $50,300 | $62,960 |
| Delaware | $36,640 | $40,300 | $46,540 | $54,140 | $59,100 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $36,830 | $40,490 | $44,660 | $51,570 | $57,410 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | $34,370 | $36,400 | $40,380 | $47,900 | $55,020 |
Medical Equipment Preparers Employment Trends in Delaware
In Delaware, the employment for Medical Equipment Preparers was recorded at 190 employees in 2020. It is projected to increase to 220 employees by 2030, indicating a growth rate of 16%. This growth is considered robust and suggests a positive outlook for job seekers in this field. Additionally, there are projected to be 30 annual job openings from 2020 to 2030 due to growth and replacements. In comparison, the national employment for this occupation is expected to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032, with an estimated 9,500 annual job openings.
Employment Trends for Medical Equipment Preparers in Delaware
| Location | Employment (2020) | Projected Employment (2030) | Projected Growth (2020-2030) | Projected Annual Job Openings (2020-2030) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 190 employees | 220 employees | 16% | 30 |
| United States | 66,700 employees | 70,300 employees | 5% | 9,500 |
Sources of Data:
- The employment figures for Delaware are sourced from Projections Central’s 2020-2030 long-term projections.
- The national employment figures and projections are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2022-2032 employment projections.
Working as a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware
For patients to be able to trust that surgical procedures are safe, they need to be sure that steps are being taken to prevent infections. When you work as a sterile processing technician, you’re providing a valuable service that makes medical and dental procedures as safe and free of contamination as possible.
The largest number of opportunities to work as a sterile processing technician in Delaware is in hospitals, but you may be able to find opportunities in offices of oral surgeons and dentists as well as outpatient surgical centers. Your working hours may be during the day, or in some settings you may have to work evenings or weekends. Sterile processing technicians are needed all over Delaware, especially in more populated areas such as Wilmington and Dover.