How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Kansas (Certification Programs & Salary Guide)

One of the most important things in a hospital is that the environment be kept sterile to help fight infection.

The person in charge of making sure all medical equipment and tools, and even surgical gowns, are sterile and ready for use is the sterile processing technician.

The ideal person for this position is able to follow strict instructions, is able to pay attention to detail, be flexible, and have some understanding of microbiology and human germs.

You don’t have to have a deep knowledge of science but do have to know about the things that can cause infections and how to make sure everything is as sterile as possible.

Sterile processing technicians have very little, if any, patient contact.

This makes the position ideal for those who want to work in medicine but aren’t exactly people-oriented.

If this sounds like a career you would be interested in, read on for more details.

Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Kansas

To become a sterile processing technician in Kansas, you will first need to get your high school diploma or GED.

This is a requirement for entering a specialized training program for sterile processing technicians.

Programs can be as short as ten weeks or as long as two years, depending on which program you choose.

Once completed, you can find a position in a hospital and work at accumulating work hours.

This will allow you to apply for your provisional certificate with the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).

You will need to take a test and accumulate another 400 hours of work experience to get your official certificate.

Licensing Requirements for Sterile Processing Technicians in Kansas

There are only four states that require sterile processing technicians to be licensed, and Kansas isn’t one of them.

If you are looking to get a position that pays a higher rate, however, you should consider taking the test given by the HSPA.

While there are no state requirements for licensure, larger employees may want candidates for positions to have one.

Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Kansas

While Kansas does not offer many opportunities for sterile processing technician training, there are several options.

Washburn Tech

Washburn Tech offers a sterile processing technician certificate program to both adult students and high school seniors who will be 17 years old by October as a dual program.

This means they can complete this certificate program while finishing up their high school diploma.

All students will have two certificates when completing this one-year program.

These are the CRCST and First Aid/CPR certifications.

Classes covered include CPR/First Aid, Medical Terminology, Sterile Processing I & II, Sterile Processing Clinical I & II, and CRCST Exam Review.

The total cost for adult students is $3685 for the 18 credit hours.

High school students pursuing a dual degree pay $2400.

Kansas City Kansas Community College

The sterile processing technician course program at KCKCC will cost you $2795 for the one-year, online course.

This price also includes a voucher to take your CRCST exam.

There is also an opportunity for clinical experience.

The 190 course hours include instruction in:

• Medical Terminology
• Introduction to Medical Terminology
• The Musculoskeletal System
• The Cardiovascular System
• The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
• The Respiratory System
• The Digestive System
• The Urinary System
• The Nervous System
• The Special Senses The Eyes and Ears
• The Integumentary System
• The Endocrine System
• The Reproductive System
• Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, Pharmacology
• Sterile Processing Technician
• Introduction
• Infection Control, Standards, and Regulations
• Decontamination and Workplace Safety
• Disinfection Process and Complex Instrumentation
• Tray Assembly
• Prep and Pack
• Introduction to Sterilization
• Introduction to Low-Temperature Sterilization
• Instrumentation Identification (Part 1)
• Instrumentation Identification (Part 2)
• Case Cart Introduction
• Sterile Storage
• Managing Inventory
• Ancillary Department Support
• Important Components for a Successful Career
• Wrapping Up and Preparing for Your Exam

Concorde Career College

Concorde offers a diploma program for sterile processing technicians.

The cost of your exam and the rest of the preparation are included in the tuition.

Tuition is determined by several factors and needs to be calculated by their onsite tuition calculator.

This program is four months long and includes 80 externship hours, which can be used toward the 400 hours you need to turn your provisional license into a full one.

The classes covered in this diploma program include anatomy and microbiology, regulations & standards, infection prevention, cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection, high and low temperature sterilization, sterile storage & transport, safety and risk management, and monitoring and record keeping.

Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Kansas

Sterile processing jobs in Kansas pay slightly lower than the country’s mean salary for this position.

At the low end of the scale, you can expect to earn an annual salary of $30,112.

Those with licenses and more experience, and those working in larger populated areas can often make $46,904 annually.

The mean pay for sterile processing technicians in Kansas is $37,738 per year.

Regional Salary