South Carolina schools that have a sterile processing technician program prepare students to work in a growing field with advancement opportunities.
Sterile processing technician programs often require a short-term commitment.
The programs often have flexible enrollment.
Some schools offer their sterile processing technicians in a traditional format, while others may offer the program online.
Gaining the classroom knowledge and the hands-on skills that schools offer in their sterile processing technician programs is important for getting a job and for having advancement opportunities.
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in South Carolina
The steps to becoming a sterile processing technician are important to follow for people who choose this career.
The steps provide the path to successfully getting an entry-level position.
Following the steps to become a South Carolina sterile processing technician may also lead to career advancement.
Step 1: Get a High School Education
Getting a high school diploma or a GED is the first step towards having a successful career as a sterile processing technician in the state of South Carolina.
Employers require their sterile processing technicians to have a high school education.
Step 2: Develop Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrating interpersonal skills is important for sterile processing technicians who want to have a successful career.
South Carolina sterile processing technicians need to demonstrate that they have excellent communication skills and that they have good listening skills.
They also need to be detail-oriented and have problem-solving skills, and leadership skills.
Step 3: Enroll in a South Carolina Sterile Processing Technician Program
Enrolling in and completing a sterile processing technician program in South Carolina is likely to be a requirement for most employers.
The programs are short-term programs that do not require completing a college degree or attending medical school.
Each of the programs has its admission requirements.
Students need to review the requirements for each school that they consider before making a final decision on the school that best meets their goals.
Step 4: Obtain a Certification
Sitting for a certification exam and passing the exam is an important step for people who want to work as a sterile processing technician in the state of South Carolina.
Getting the certification shows commitment to the career.
It also helps applicants stand out when they apply for sterile processing technician jobs.
The sterile processing technician programs in South Carolina prepare students to sit for a certification exam.
Some schools may pay the cost for students to sit for the sterile processing technician exam.
Step 5: Gain Experience
Gaining experience helps sterile processing technicians have a hands-on learning experience.
It also helps them to reinforce the things that they learned while enrolled in a South Carolina sterile processing technician program.
The more experience that sterile processing technicians have, the more likely that they may have career advancement opportunities.
They may also earn a higher salary once they gain more experience.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in South Carolina
The state of South Carolina does not provide oversight for its sterile processing technicians.
The fact that the state does not provide oversight means that there are no licensing requirements to work as a South Carolina sterile processing technician.
Employers do want to see certification as a sterile processing technician, even though there are no licensing requirements.
Sterile Processing Technician Programs in South Carolina
The schools that offer sterile processing technician programs in South Carolina provide students with the knowledge and skills that they need to start working in an entry-level position.
Students also gain the knowledge to sit for a certification exam.
University of South Carolina – Sumter
The University of South Carolina – Sumter Continuing Education Department offers an online Sterile Processing Technician program.
The school recognizes the critical role of sterile processing technicians, sometimes called central service technicians.
Students who enroll in the program learn to perform the daily duties that they will perform when they get a job in a hospital, surgical center, dentist’s office, or a physician’s office.
They learn to define the roles and responsibilities of South Carolina sterile processing technicians.
Students learn to clean, decontaminate, and sterilize surgical instruments, medical equipment, and supplies.
The program prepares students to follow safety and compliance guidelines.
Students also learn best practices and workplace safety.
The school provides a voucher to cover the cost of students sitting for a certification exam.
The tuition for the program is $2,795.
Midland Technical College
The Sterile Processing Technician program at Midland Technical College offers students the opportunity to complete the program in a traditional on-campus setting or an online format.
Students gain the same knowledge and skills, no matter which format they choose, when they enroll in the program.
Students complete several courses, which include Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Sterile Processing Technology.
The tuition for the program is an estimated cost of $2,785.
The tuition does not include other fees that students may incur when they enroll in the program.
University of South Carolina Upstate
The University of South Carolina Upstate offers a Sterile Processing Technician program that students complete in an online format.
The program gives students the knowledge and skills that they need to properly decontaminate, sterilize, process, and store medical and surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies.
Students learn to assemble the trays that are needed for various medical and surgical procedures.
They learn to distribute the supplies to medical, surgical, labor, and delivery areas.
The program covers topics such as medical terminology, infection control, tray assembly, sterilization, and managing inventory.
The program tuition is $2,795.
3 Sterile Processing Technician Schools in South Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of South Carolina – Sumter | 200 Miller Rd, Sumter, SC 29150, United States |
| Midlands Technical College | 151 Powell Rd, Columbia, SC 29203, United States |
| University of South Carolina Upstate | 800 University Way, Spartanburg, SC 29303, United States |
Salary
The average annual salary for sterile processing technicians in South Carolina is $37,421, as of October 1, 2024.
The salary varies, based on several things.
The education that a sterile processing technician has, and if the sterile processing technician has a certification, are some examples of things that may affect salary.
Experience is a factor in the salary that sterile processing technicians earn when they work in South Carolina.
Salary.com indicates that sterile processing supervisors have an average salary of $61,946.
The city in South Carolina where sterile processing technicians work is also a factor in their salary.
Sterile processing technicians who work in Sumter earn an average salary of $35,439.
Compare that salary to the average salary of $37,658 that sterile processing technicians earn when they work in Charleston.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in South Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Anderson | $36,588 |
| Cleveland | $36,707 |
| Brunson | $36,588 |
| Gadsden | $36,548 |
| Gresham | $35,439 |
| Hopkins | $36,667 |
| Lake City | $35,359 |
| Lynchburg | $35,320 |
| Clearwater | $36,667 |
| Moore | $37,262 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 330 | $42,570 | $20.47 | $48,010 | $31,650 |
| Columbia, SC | 250 | $41,340 | $19.88 | $52,800 | $29,970 |
| Florence, SC | 160 | $32,920 | $15.83 | $38,530 | $28,730 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 240 | $43,360 | $20.85 | $54,780 | $35,200 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 50 | $41,330 | $19.87 | $52,620 | $34,080 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 90 | $43,400 | $20.87 | $59,600 | $36,930 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some South Carolina cities that offer a higher-than-average starting salary for sterile processing technicians?
The cities of North Charleston, Goose Creek, and Mount Pleasant have a starting salary for sterile processing technicians that is above the average salary for entry-level sterile processing technicians.
How can I gain more skills as a South Carolina sterile processing technician?
Take courses that provide students with hands-on learning experiences.
Some programs have internships or practicums to give students hands-on training.
Take courses that offer advanced skills training.
How do I obtain sterile processing technician certification?
Enroll in a program that prepares students to sit for a certification exam.
Some schools pay the required fee for graduates to sit for the exam.
