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

Sterile processing technicians play a critical role in surgery, by preparing and sterilizing surgical tools and equipment.

If you are looking for a medical career that doesn’t require years of schooling, you should consider becoming a sterile processing technician.

Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Utah

Utah doesn’t have any specific requirements or certifications to become a sterile processing technician.

However, most employers have requirements that you’ll need to meet if you want to get hired.

These steps will help you fulfill an employer’s requirements and gain the skills you need to succeed as a sterile processing technician.

1. Sterile Processing Technician Training

The first step to becoming a sterile processing technician is completing a training program.

You have two options for training.

You can choose a sterile processing technician program, which can typically be completed in 2 to 12 months.

The other option is to pursue a surgical technology degree.

These programs typically last for 18 months to 2 years.

Surgical technology programs include sterile processing, as well as many other skills needed to be a successful surgical technologist.

If you aren’t interested in becoming a surgical technologist, it’s best to complete a sterile technician training program.

2. Experience

Experience is another step on your journey.

You may choose to gain experience before or after getting certified.

Experience better prepares you for your certification exam, but it can be hard to find a job if you aren’t certified.

Most training programs don’t offer externship placements, which means you’ll need to find a job or a way to gain experience yourself.

3. Certification

Certification is the next step in the process.

Some programs require you to have 400 hours of hands-on experience to become certified.

Others require one year of experience, or passing a sterile processing training program.

To become certified, you’ll need hands-on experience as a sterile processing technician.

You may get your provisional certification, which allows you to take the exam and then gain the experience for certification.

Most employers will require you to have a certification or be in the process of doing so, before hiring you.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Utah

As we’ve already learned, there are no national or statewide requirements to become a sterile processing technician.

However, hospitals and doctors have a code of ethics, which includes not harming patients.

Because a mistake in the sterile process can be dangerous or even deadly for a patient, facilities are cautious about who they hire for this role.

Most employers will require you to be certified before considering you for a position.

Two organizations offer certification for sterile processing technicians, the HSPA and CBSPT.

Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)

The HSPA offers a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification.

To qualify for the exam, you’ll need 400 hours of hands-on sterile processing experience within the last 5 years.

You can also take the exam, and complete the 400-hour requirement in the 6 months after taking the exam to become fully certified.

You’ll need experience in specific areas including:

• Decontamination (120 hours)
• Preparing & Packaging Instruments (120 hours)
• Sterilization & Disinfection (120 hours)
• Storage & Distribution (24 hours)
• Quality Assurance (16 hours)

The exam covers seven areas, including departmental considerations, cleaning, contamination, disinfecting, preparation and packaging, and sterilization process.

While this certification doesn’t require sterile processing training, it’s difficult to pass the exam without it.

You’ll need to pay $140 for the exam fee.

If you fail, you may retake the test for the same price.

CBSPT

CBSPT also offers a sterile processing technician certification or CSPDT.

There are four ways to qualify for this exam.

You’ll need to meet one of four criteria.

The criteria are:

• 12 months of hands-on experience as a sterile processing technician
• 6 months experience in allied healthcare, and 6 months in sterile processing
• 12 months of experience in healthcare product sales related to sterile processing
• Completion of a sterile processing technician program

To become certified, you must also pass the exam.

The exam has 25 practice questions and 125 scored questions, for a total of 150.

You’ll have 3 hours to complete the exam.

The cost of the exam is $128.

Sterile Processing Technician Training Programs in Utah

You can find both online and in-person sterile processing training in Utah.

Mountainland Technical College

Mountainland Technical College is the only school in the state to offer an in-person sterile technician training program.

The program takes 9 months to complete and prepares you for the HSPA CRCST.

Tuition for the program is $3,494.

The program includes online learning one day a week and a 500-hour externship that meets the requirements for HSPA certification.

Courses include Preparation and Packaging, Intro to Sterile Processing and Decontamination, Sterilization and Disinfection, and Storage and Distribution.

Purdue Global

Purdue Global offers the Sterile Processing Online Technical Training 9th Edition program.

The program costs $440 and includes the HSPA 9th Edition Sterile Processing Technical Manual.

You’ll have access to the course materials for one year after enrollment.

This program will prepare you to take the HSPA certification exam.

However, you’ll need to meet the 400-hour experience requirement, and Purdue Global can’t assist you with this.

MedCerts

Medcerts also offers an online program, Sterile Processing Technician Certification Training.

The program costs $4,000, which can be paid upfront or in installments.

This program will prepare you for the HSPA CRCST exam.

The fee for the exam is included in your tuition, but you will need to meet the 400-hour experience requirement.

Courses in the program include Professionalism in Allied Health, Sterile Processing, and Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology.

The program lasts for 14 weeks.

Salary

The average salary for a sterile processing technician in Utah is $37,698, with most salaries ranging from $33,711 to $42,491.

Salaries in Utah can range from $30,080 to $46,854.

How much you earn will depend on your experience, education, qualifications, certifications, and the type of facility you choose to work in.

Regional Salary