How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Hawaii

The healthcare industry provides steady, well-paying job opportunities in many roles and settings. If you’re looking for a healthcare position that doesn’t require a degree, consider becoming a sterile processing technician.

This role doesn’t require interacting with patients yet is integral to their safety. As one of these professionals, you would sanitize medical instruments, equipment, machinery and potentially rooms to ensure sterile visits and procedures.

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This position may also be referred to as central processing technician or medical equipment preparer, or as a related surgical technologist who prepares equipment and also assists with the equipment during operations and procedures. You could quickly enter one of these roles in Hawaii with minimal qualifications.

Guidelines for Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Hawaii

Hawaii does not have schooling or certification requirements for those who want to work in this profession. However, these qualifications may be preferred or required by potential employers. If not, they still could provide knowledge of the position and a leg up over other candidates. Many training programs prepare you to take one of the certification exams.

Educational Programs in Hawaii

In-person training options for sterile processing are limited in Hawaii. If you’re unable to find one in your area, you could consider an online option. Here are some schooling choices available to you:

  • University of Hawaii Kapiolani Community College: This school offers an accredited surgical technology program that includes classroom and hands-on training. It covers how to prepare the environment for operating and how to assist during procedures. It prepares students for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) exam for certification.
  • Pima Medical Institute: The sterile processing technician program provides online training of sterilization, infection control and related subjects. It gives preparation for the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) exam for certification.
  • Ashworth College: This is an online sterile processing technician course that covers topics including sterilization, aseptic procedures and HIPAA regulations. It prepares students for the IAHCSMM exam for certification.
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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.

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Qualifications for Sterile Processing Technicians in Hawaii

Optionally, you can gain certification in this field through a national or international exam. Options include becoming a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) through the IAHCSMM or a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). Alternatively, you could gain a slightly different certification such as the certification of surgical technologists (CST) through the NBSTSA.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Hawaii as one of the top-paying states for medical equipment preparers. The annual mean wage is $46,260, with an hourly mean wage of $22.24.

The surgical technologist role is expected to grow by seven percent, which is faster than the average job growth, from 2019 to 2029. See also https://surgicaltechedu.org/hi/

Working as a Sterile Processing Technician in Hawaii

People in this position generally work for hospitals, dental offices, outpatient centers, doctor’s offices or specialty medical facilities. The top-paying Hawaii locations for sterile processing technicians include Honolulu, Waipahu, Pearl City and Kahului, according to ZipRecruiter.

As a sterile processing technician or one of the other similar roles, you could expect a steady medical position with plenty of job growth and positions available. This is a profession that is easy to get started in with few hurdles, so you can quickly make a good salary in the medical field. In Hawaii, your best bet is to start with an online training course that will lead you to certification. Then, you can have many jobs open to you in Hawaii medical settings.