Doctors and nurses are not the only available jobs in medicine.
Various jobs, such as central equipment processing, are vital to the daily operations of hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
Working as an entry-level technician frequently provides an easier and less expensive pathway to a professional career in healthcare.
Equipment processing, a growing field, combines detailed infection control procedures with cutting-edge technology, including emerging AI.
If you are dedicated, detail-oriented, and willing to do some physical labor, consider pursuing a sterile processing technician certificate at one of these New Mexico colleges.
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in New Mexico
The steps to certification as a sterile processing technician in New Mexico are simple but require time and effort.
Obtain a high school or complete a state-approved GED program.
Select a sterile processing technician certificate or degree program.
Ensure that the coursework and experience hours meet the requirements necessary to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam offered by the non-profit organization Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.
Finish the program and receive a Certificate of Completion.
Finalize, if necessary, the 400 hours of clinical experience needed for national certification.
Apply to HSPA to sit for the credentialing exam.
Gain additional knowledge by keeping up with annual continuing education requirements. Also, keep certification dues current.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in New Mexico
According to the Department of Health, New Mexico does not require a license, registration, or certificate to work as a sterile processing technician.
Training and pursuit of a national credential, such as the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association’s (HSPA) CRSPT certification, demonstrate to prospective employers a strong willingness toward higher achievement.
Additionally, while New Mexico currently may not have specific requirements, that may change as the Allied Health profession expands and larger employers and healthcare systems develop minimum professional requirements.
Sterile Processing Technician Programs in New Mexico
New Mexico offers choices for individuals considering the sterile processing profession.
The most comprehensive programs include didactic instruction, hands-on training, and practical experience in a supervised setting.
1. Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)
The largest state community system, Central New Mexico Community College, teaches roughly 22,000 students at six campuses.
There are over 186 associate degrees and 80 vocational certificate programs, including the sterile processing technician program.
Many of these are offered as a hybrid or online.
The SPT is a short program that provides only four (4) credit hours through the surgical technology cohort in the Department of Health and Wellness and Public Safety.
However, a comprehensive understanding of sterile processing is provided. CNMC requires completion or credit for Reading & Writing Skills 1 to register for the program.
This Certificate of Achievement qualifies students to sit for the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
Core competencies covered include sterile processing basics, processing techniques, and cellular biology.
The one-semester-long program incorporates a co-requisite, hands-on lab experience with materials and surgical equipment.
The total theoretical hours of both courses is 120.
Tuition is calculated for New Mexico residents at $68 per credit hour.
If taken online, the cost is an estimated $185 per credit hour, excluding textbooks, equipment, supplies, and study materials.
Military discounts and payment plans are available, but the certificate of achievement is ineligible for state or federal financial aid.
2. San Juan College
San Juan College in Farmington caters to roughly 8700 students both on-campus and online, offering over 130 degrees and professional certificates.
One program that can be applied to more than one healthcare specialty is the 2.5-year-long Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology.
This comprehensive degree incorporates actionable training in both surgical assistance and sterile processing.
Available in a hybrid environment, core coursework includes cellular and molecular biology, surgical technology, and central processing techniques.
A full semester of clinical rotations with local healthcare partners is part of the curriculum.
General costs for New Mexico residents are roughly $8,500.
Calculations are based on a set fee of $61 per credit hour and exclude housing, textbooks, equipment, and expenses.
Financial aid, payment plans, and military discounts are available for the Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology.
Those who complete the 64-credit degree program qualify to sit for a credentialing exam given by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
3. University of New Mexico (UNM)
The University of New Mexico is a public four-year college with four campuses, including the main campus in Albuquerque, a health science extension program in Rio Rancho, and an online division.
The combined student body is roughly 23,000.
The Sterile Processing Technicians (SPT) certificate is managed by UNM’s Continuing Education Department.
Considered an entry-level field in allied healthcare, an SPT’s primary duties to decontaminate and control infection are considered a vital component at all levels of healthcare.
The SPT Certification is a self-directed online program consisting of 190 hours, with most students completing the work in 12 months.
Credit for basic courses such as writing and math are required.
Sterile processing courses include microbiology, infection control, and inventory equipment management.
The cost is $3,885, and while financial aid is not available, payment plans and military discounts can be applied.
Graduates qualify to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam.
A cost voucher for the HSPA national test is included.
3 Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New Mexico
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | 900 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, United States |
| San Juan College | 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402, United States |
| University of New Mexico | 1155 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, United States |
Salary
Sterile Processing Technicians in New Mexico earn an average of $36,548.
Statewide, starting salaries, as listed on Salary.com, a wage tracking site, range from $29,163 to $46,599.
Education, demand, experience, and location can affect compensation levels.
For example, wages and benefits are more attractive in the northern portion of the state near Santa Fe and Albuquerque than near the Lincoln National Forest near Alamogordo, White Sands, or Las Cruces.
Another factor influencing compensation packages is the type of sterile processing facility.
Hospital systems may provide additional benefits but usually require more education and experience.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in New Mexico
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Alamogordo | $35,359 |
| Albuquerque | $37,262 |
| Bent | $35,042 |
| Carlsbad | $34,765 |
| Clovis | $35,399 |
| Columbus | $33,972 |
| Derry | $33,734 |
| Farmington | $36,786 |
| Las Cruces | $34,329 |
| Las Vegas | $36,867 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 100 | $40,430 | $19.44 | $51,960 | $26,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a New Mexico sterile processing technician considered an allied health worker?
Yes, SPTs are considered allied health, which is defined as specialized healthcare workers, not including doctors, nurses, or pharmacists.
Do sterile processing technicians have another title in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, Sterile Processing technicians are also referred to as central processing technicians (CPT), central service technicians (CST), medical equipment preparers, and, if credentialed, certified registered central service technicians (CRCST).
What are the annual licensing fees for a Sterile Processing Technician in New Mexico?
There are no annual fees in New Mexico for Sterile Processing Technicians because the Department of Health does not require licensing, registration, or certification for employment in this Allied Health profession.
