Have you been thinking about starting a new career as a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware?
The world of Allied Health is experiencing a surge in the need for well-trained surgical technicians and related professionals as an aging population tests the limits of America’s healthcare systems.
Highly trained surgical professionals are needed to provide hands-on support to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and facilities providing inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures across the state.
Learn more about the key roles that SPTs play in Delaware’s burgeoning healthcare system and get step-by-step guidance on how to become a Sterile Processing Technician along with a list of local schools offering certification-based training options in the guide for aspiring Central Service Technicians in Delaware below!
How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware
Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware can be rewarding for allied health professionals who want to make a difference in healthcare — without providing direct or hands-on patient care.
Central Service Technicians earn their roles through a combination of education, hands-on clinical experience, and continuing education programs for Certified SPTs.
The primary job duties of Central Processing Technicians include cleaning, decontamination, disassembling, high-level disinfection, surgical instruments, and tools.
ST hopefuls are required to understand medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, and legal regulations and compliance requirements for carrying out their job duties.
Potential Candidates Can Become a Sterile Processing Technician through the following routes:
- Completing the certification exam through The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution – CBSPD
- Earning The Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician credential.
- 12 months of full-time employment or equivalent clinical experience.
- Completion of Sterile Processing Technician Training Course with a Passing Grade of 70 or higher, 5-year certification
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware
Step #1. – Complete Foundational Education
The first step towards becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware is to meet the minimum education requirements for local employers and training programs.
Most local employers and training programs will require new applicants to have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Step #2. – Get Formal Training
Career-oriented students seeking to boost their employment options seek formal training and education through local and online programs that follow national and local certification tracks.
Step #3. – Apply for Certification
Graduates of formal programs become eligible to apply for Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) and similar certifications.
Certifications through top agencies include some of the following:
- International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM)
- The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution – (CBSPD)
- Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) – CRSCT
Step #4. – Find a Sterile Processing Technician Job
Certified Sterile Processing Technicians can find a job through networking opportunities offered through their training programs, local SPT groups, and keyword searches for allied health employment opportunities through online job boards.
Step #5. – Complete Continuing Education Requirements
Certified Central Service Technicians will need to meet the continuing education requirements for their respective credentials to maintain their certification status on a schedule set by the issuing agency.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware
There are no formal licensing requirements for new candidates to become Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware.
However, career-oriented students seeking rapid entry into the field and low barriers to employment opt for short-term certification and training programs that immediately demonstrate their level of expertise to allied health and healthcare industry employers in Delaware.
Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Delaware
There are a limited number of Sterile Processing Technician training programs in Delaware.
The programs offered include on-campus, online, and hybrid options with clinical experience components that prepare program graduates for national or regional certification.
**Potential candidates should be prepared to pass a criminal background check and drug screen as an admission requirement as their job duties require high levels of ethics and professionalism in handling confidential processes and patient records.
Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Sterile Processing Technician hopefuls have two routes for earning professional education and certification when they attend Delaware Technical Community College.
Enrolled students can opt for their online program which follows the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)certification track.
Local students can take hybrid, on-campus classes for certification online or opt to complete Delaware Technical Community College’s two-year Surgical Technology Associate’s degree program.
Courses Offered
- SPT Clinical Experience
- Documentation and Records Management
- Medical Terminology
- Sterile Processing Technician
- Surgical Instrument Management
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware – 19904
- Website: Link
- Phone: 855-520-6806
Delaware JobLink
Delaware’s Job Link offers another route to Sterile Processing Technician training within the state through their Certified Central Certified Technician for Sterile Processing program.
Their hybrid training program offers flexible scheduling for students seeking online or evening classes.
Program candidates learn the fundamentals of sterile processing theory, procedures for processing, and legal regulations for remaining compliant when working in this hands-on allied health role.
Program participants are required to complete a 400-hour internship where they practice their skills in local healthcare facilities as a mandatory component for certification.
The Delaware JobLink Sterile Processing Technician program operates in partnership with the Delaware Technical Community College at Terry to deliver educational materials, support, and instruction.
Graduates who complete all program requirements have the knowledge and experience to apply for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM).
Courses Offered
- Decontamination
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Legal Regulations
- Sterilization Process and Procedure
- CRCST Exam Preparation
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware – 19904
- Website: Link
- Phone: 302-857-1500
2 Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Delaware Technical Community College | 400 Stanton Christiana Rd d201, Newark, DE 19713, United States |
| Delaware JobLink | 655 S. Bay Road, Suite 2H Dover, Delaware 19901 |
Sterile Processing Technician Salary – Delaware
Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware make mid-level salaries that range from $32,660.00 per year on the low end up to $46,120.00 per year on the higher end of the salary scale.
Factors that can affect the average annual salary earnings for Delaware SPT technicians include years of hands-on experience in the field, certifications earned, and work locations.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Bear | $41,266 |
| Delaware City | $41,305 |
| Dover | $41,622 |
| Georgetown | $41,940 |
| Harrington | $41,940 |
| Houston | $41,940 |
| Milford | $41,940 |
| Millsboro | $41,940 |
| Newark | $41,305 |
| Smyrna | $41,464 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a License to Work as a Central Service Technician or Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware?
No.
The role of Sterile Processing Technician only requires new candidates to have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent education along with proof of hands-on experience or validation of experience through certification credentials from top certifying authorities.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware?
Aspiring Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware who enter the field through formal education and certification can expect to complete their program requirements within one to two years.
Students with years of hands-on experience in the field may complete their mandatory course requirements and clinical training earlier than associate degree-seeking students or part-time students.
What Are Some of The Benefits of Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware?
New SPTs in Delaware who hold credentials from some of the top certifying authorities in the nation can immediately demonstrate competency and experience in the field by holding professional certifications.
Graduates who have certification credentials may have an easier time finding long-term employment through networking opportunities and partnership programs between their educational institutions, credential providers, and local healthcare agencies seeking to hire experienced Central Service Technicians.
