Are you tired of part-time work?
Imagine an entry-level healthcare position that allows for a competitive salary, local flexibility, and growth opportunities.
A healthcare services certificate is a simple but effective way to establish a strong career path.
A Sterile Processing Technician’s daily duties are demanding but critical to patient safety.
Vital to hospital operations, physical stamina, and attention to detail are needed to excel.
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in New Jersey
The pursuit of a career as a Sterile Processing Technician involves several basic steps, but it will take time and dedication.
Complete a Sterile Processing Technician certificate program.
Gain knowledge by completing the necessary work experience hours.
Some programs have internship requirements for graduation.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has specific certification requirements to maintain full-time employment.
Gain 400 hours of supervised hands-on experience.
Pass either the entry-level or advanced certification exam given by the HSPA, a state-approved accreditor, within three years of employment.
Apply for New Jersey Certification as a Sterile Processing Technician.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in New Jersey
New Jersey does not have a licensing program, but it does oversee all sterile processing technicians and mandates that they be certified within three years of employment.
The state’s Department of Health and Senior Services monitors this process.
Certification must be through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), formerly known as the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM).
The HSPA proctored exam requires 400 hours of supervised experience.
The initial exam costs are minimal, roughly $140.
Continuing education and annual dues are also required to maintain a professional certificate.
Sterile Processing Technician Programs in New Jersey
The Garden State has a handful of vocational certification programs that prepare students for certification as Sterile Processing Technicians.
The Medical Career Institute
The Medical Career Institute campus is in Ocean Township, on the New Jersey coast.
General admission to any of its programs requires a high school diploma or GED.
Students must be at least 18 years old.
Because the work is patient-focused, immunizations and a basic background check are mandatory.
The 712-hour program takes 29 weeks to complete, closely following the HSPA requirements.
Students attend classes six hours daily, either in the morning or evening.
Upon receiving a certificate of completion, students will be qualified to sit for the HSPA certification exam mandated by New Jersey.
Coursework includes medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, law, ethics, federal and state regulations, and processing procedures common to hospitals and surgery centers.
This 40-credit hour program also teaches endoscopic and colonoscopic sterilization techniques.
The program cost is $10,565, including tuition, fees, and certification preparation.
Financial aid is available for qualified students.
Berkeley College
A private undergraduate and vocational university, Berkeley College has an online campus as well as four on-site campuses, including Newark and Paramus upstate and Woodbridge and Woodland Park further south.
The university offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Surgical Processing Technician at the Newark, Woodland Park, and Woodbridge campuses and online.
The Surgical Processing Technician Certificate is offered only to individuals with a valid HSPA certification in another field.
The 27-credit-hour schedule includes training in medical terminology, infection control procedures, and healthcare ethics and typically takes 16 months.
Both the certificate and the AAS degree require a supervised practicum at an off-campus healthcare partner.
Upon completion of the 30-week program, students meet the HSPA requirements to sit for the CRCST exam.
Berkeley College costs roughly $13,950, not including additional fees and program supplies.
Americation Career and Training School
A hybrid vocational educator, Americation Career and Training School offers a Sterile Processing Technician Certificate.
The self-directed online program can be completed in two months with an expected time commitment of 12.5 hours weekly.
Core competencies include foundational knowledge in microbiology, infection prevention, and infection control procedures.
However, this basic course does not include a practicum or preparation for HSPA Certification.
The program cost is $2000; discounts and biweekly or monthly payment plans are available.
Marie’s Allied Health and Technical Institute
Marie’s Allied Health and Technical Institute in Somerset offers one of the longest Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician programs.
The academic schedule is a 52-week program covering human anatomy, bacteria, microbiology, and sterile control procedures.
Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening.
The year-long schedule is split between academics and experience.
There are 400 on-campus classroom hours and 400 hours of supervised practical experience, which fulfills the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification requirement.
The cost of the Sterile Processing Technician program is $14,695, plus additional fees and supplies.
MAHTI does not participate in federal or state financial aid programs, but military discounts and payment plans are available.
New Jersey City University
The New Jersey City University, located in Jersey City, offers over 400 career-focused certifications 100% online.
Some of the more popular career options include blockchain management, residential electrician, and medical assistant.
Part of the Adult Continuing Education division, the Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) certification is a 190-hour program that usually takes 12 months to complete.
The cost of the SPT program is $3,290 and includes foundational self-directed studies in medical terminology and sterile processing procedures.
The course also prepares graduates to take the HSPA’s Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam.
The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association is a separate non-profit whose focus is on the education and advancement of the Sterile Processing Technician profession.
5 Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New Jersey
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| The Medical Career Institute | 901 W Park Ave Suite 201, Ocean Township, NJ 07712, USA |
| Berkeley College | 3 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017, United States |
| Americation Career and Training School | 24 Commerce St #401, Newark, NJ 07102, USA |
| Marie's Allied Health and Technical Institute | 1543 NJ-27 Suite 14, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA |
| New Jersey City University | 2039 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305, United States |
Salary
Sterile Processing is a growing profession in New Jersey.
By 2030, the state estimates a 15% increase in the need for certified individuals.
The state’s average annual salary for sterile techs is $39,640.
Overall, compensation varies by experience but remains highly competitive when compared with the national averages.
New Jersey entry-level technicians earn around $31,630, and the top tier earns upwards of $49,268, irrespective of bonuses and benefits.
The average national compensation for sterile processing techs is $41,480, with a range of lowest to highest at $31,570 to $62,960.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in New Jersey
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Allenwood | $44,437 |
| Augusta | $45,111 |
| Bloomfield | $45,626 |
| Brookside | $44,477 |
| Fairview | $46,300 |
| Elizabeth | $44,794 |
| Kearny | $44,794 |
| Linden | $44,477 |
| Gillette | $44,437 |
| Northfield | $42,455 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 80 | $51,670 | $24.84 | $65,560 | $39,070 |
| Trenton, NJ | 70 | $57,650 | $27.72 | $123,100 | $35,250 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Sterile Processing Technician a good job for women?
A Certified Sterile Processing Technician is a good job, gender notwithstanding.
Somewhat physically demanding, the role is good for individuals looking for stability and an entry-level healthcare position.
Where does a Certified Sterile Technician work in New Jersey?
Depending on the position and the assigned duties, patients require healthcare services anywhere.
In New Jersey, Certified Sterile Technicians can find work at hospitals, independent clinics, blood clinics, and surgical centers.
SPT workers can also hold managerial, academic, and administrative positions.
What are the annual licensing fees for a Sterile Processing Technician in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not require a license for Sterile Processing Technicians, but it does require Certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
The annual renewal fee for HSPA certification is $50.
