Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho

While frontline medical staff such as doctors and nurses are integral to procedures and operations, so are professionals who work behind the scenes to ensure the environment and equipment used is safe and sterile. These professionals are known as sterile processing technicians.

This role involves sterilizing medical equipment, tools, supplies and settings to ensure the safety of everything used for a medical procedure. It’s fairly easy to become a sterile processing technician in Idaho, and the state has many opportunities for working in this important healthcare role.

Requirements for Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho

The state of Idaho does not have regulations or requirements for this profession. This means you could get started without a bachelor’s degree or specific training, certification or licensing. However, employers may require qualifications such as training and certification, and these prepare you for the role and help you stand out as a job candidate.

Educational Programs in Idaho

You may find training programs for this field through community colleges, technical schools or online programs. You can also search for related roles of central service technicians, medical equipment preparers, surgical technologists or other job titles. These all involve sterilizing equipment, although the surgical technologist also assists with equipment during procedures and operations.

Here are some training options available to you:

• College of Southern Idaho: This school offers a technical certificate as a central sterile processing technician. Training involves 10 credit hours covering central sterile processing, medical terminology and more.
• College of Western Idaho: The surgical technology program teaches a combination of preparing medical equipment and assisting physicians during surgery and procedures. The course prepares you for the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA).
• Ashworth College: This is an online training program geared toward obtaining sterile processing technician certification. It teaches aseptic techniques, bloodborne pathogens, medical terminology and other relevant topics, and prepares you for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam through the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), which is included in the cost of the training program.

Certification Options for Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho

Many training programs prepare you to take a certification exam, and certain employers require certification. Options include becoming a CST or a CRCST, which are mentioned under training programs, or earning a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).

Career and Salary Expectations

According to Indeed, an average Idaho sterile processing technician salary is $22.50 per hour or $47,311 per year. This salary is below the national average, but it’s important to consider cost of living. Also, this medical position tends to provide steady hours and benefits.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the job outlook of the surgical technologist role to grow by seven percent from 2019 to 2029.

Working as a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho

People in this profession in the state make the highest salary of $67,346 per year in Boise, ID. You could expect to be employed by a hospital or another medical facility such as a doctor’s office, dental office or outpatient center.

Sterile processing technicians are integral to the medical field, as they provide sanitized equipment and settings for safe, secure procedures. While you won’t interact directly with patients, you will be helping them within this role. You’ll also help doctors and nurses, indirectly through your preparations and possibly also directly by assisting during surgeries. In Idaho, you can get started in this field easily with minimal requirements and without a bachelor’s degree.