Have you been thinking about joining the ranks of America’s life-saving medical professionals, like doctors, nurses, and surgeons, and looking for quick entry into the field of Allied Health?
Sterile Processing Technicians are key staff members at hospitals, surgery centers, dentists’ offices, and other surgical institutions.
Follow our guide to learn about sterile processing technician schools in Washington and get step-by-step guidance on how to become a Central Service Technician in Washington State.
How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Washington
The first step towards becoming an SPT in Washington is to research the role.
Sterile Processing Techs are allied health professionals tasked with preparing, decontaminating, and packaging surgical instruments used in life-saving surgeries across the country.
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Washington
Step #1. – Meet Age and Education Requirements
Prerequisites for campus-based and online sterile processing training programs are that prospective students must be at least 18 years old on the date they begin their training and they must have completed a high school diploma or GED.
Step #2. – Apply for Sterile Processing Training
Once you meet the basic education and age requirements, and you’ve researched SPT training programs in your area, the next step is to apply for admission to your favorite program.
Each program has its own admissions requirements and application fees.
New applicants should be prepared to pass a drug test and criminal background screening and show proof of current immunization status to be officially accepted into a program.
Step #3. – Apply for Certification
SPT graduates who have completed all the requirements of their training programs become eligible to apply for national certification through top certifying authorities, which include the HSPA, the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management
Certified Sterile Processing Technicians who have not been placed through their training program can begin searching for a job at local hospitals, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, dentist offices, veterinarian offices, and other medical offices that hire Central Service Techs.
Step #4. – Find a Sterile Processing Technician Job
Many new Central Service Technicians find their first jobs through the career development programs and externships offered by their training programs.
Other options for finding new SPT employment include visiting job boards via your certification authority, conducting keyword job searches online, and applying directly to area medical facilities and hospitals.
Step #5. – Complete Continuing Education Requirements
Certified Central Service Technicians are required to recertify their credentials according to the schedule provided by their certification authority.
This means that working techs must earn the required number of continuing education credits every three to five years to maintain their certification status.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Washington
Washington is one of the few US states that require its Central Service Technicians to hold an occupational license.
Prospective SPTs in Washington will need to complete an accredited training program and pass national certification before becoming eligible to apply for licensure through the Washington State Department of Health.
Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Washington
Washington has a few options for Sterile Processing and Central Service Technician training.
Get details on top programs in the area in the informative guide to local programs below.
Take note of important admissions requirements and key deadlines to ensure success in your selected program.
Seattle Central College
Seattle Central College offers two routes for sterile processing education.
They offer an accredited short-term career certificate program that teaches trainees the theoretical, fundamental, and hands-on skills they need for working as certified SPTs.
Their certificate program includes 400 hours of on-the-job training.
The second option for SPT education at Seattle Central College is the transferable Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Surgical Technology.
This two-year degree takes students on a deeper dive into the world of surgery while preparing them for national certification by understanding the inner workings of surgical careers behind the scenes.
Courses Offered
- Health Provider CPR
- Sterile Instrument Technician
- Sterile Processing Technician Practicum
- CRCST Exam Preparation
- Clinical Experience
Contact Information
- Address: 1701 Broadway, Seattle, Washington – 98122
- Website: Link
- Phone: 206-934-3800
Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington provides training for sterile processing techs and material handlers who work as allied health professionals in Washington’s health care facilities and hospitals.
Their comprehensive training program teaches students the principles of surgical instruments and materials handling along with medical inventory control and supply management.
Program participants also participate in extensive clinical training where they practice packaging, sterilizing, and decontaminating surgical supplies in real-time surgical environments under the supervision of their instructors and licensed medical staff.
Courses Offered
- Equipment Processing
- Foundations of Sterile Processing
- Inventory Management Concepts
- Maintenance
- Sterile Processing Clinical
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 North 20th Avenue, Pasco, Washington – 99301
- Website: Link
- Phone: 509-547-0511
Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College has a Central Service – Sterile Processing Program that trains technicians on how to assist surgical professionals in the operating room.
Their three-quarter program consists of 44 credits where students gain a comprehensive introduction to surgical processing theory, instrument handling, and disinfection, and complete a clinical internship to practice and hone their skills.
Students who meet all mandatory program requirements will earn their career certificate which will prepare them for taking the next steps towards national certification and Washington State licensure.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Central Service Processing
- Sterile Processing Theory
- Principles and Methods for Cleaning and Disinfection
- Principles and Practices of Sterilization
- Central Service Clinical Internship
Contact Information
- Address: 4500 Steilacoom Boulevard SW, Lakewood, Washington – 98499
- Website: Link
- Phone: 253-589-5800
3 Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Washington
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Seattle Central College | 1701 Broadway, Seattle, Washington - 98122 |
| Columbia Basin College | 2600 North 20th Avenue, Pasco, Washington - 99301 |
| Clover Park Technical College | 4500 Steilacoom Boulevard SW, Lakewood, Washington - 98499 |
Sterile Processing Technician Salary – Washington
Recent online salary reports from reputable salary data providers show that Washington’s Central Service Technicians make an average annual salary of around $42,732.00 per year.
This average represents a median where the lower end of the salary scale falls around $38,213.00 and the highest-paid techs in the state earn around $48,165.00 per year.
Crucial Factors Affecting SPT Salaries in Washington:
- Formal Education
- On-the-Job Experience
- Rural vs Urban Work Locations
- Employer Type and Size
Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Washington
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Bellingham | $40,750 |
| Burlington | $40,592 |
| Carson | $40,909 |
| Davenport | $40,116 |
| Everett | $42,970 |
| Glenwood | $39,759 |
| Hamilton | $41,186 |
| Yakima | $40,076 |
| Tacoma | $42,613 |
| Longview | $40,909 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 40 | $54,590 | $26.24 | $71,800 | $35,920 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 90 | $47,680 | $22.93 | $65,250 | $35,940 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 50 | $46,890 | $22.54 | $70,940 | $35,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,040 | $54,950 | $26.42 | $72,940 | $38,800 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 170 | $48,580 | $23.36 | $69,590 | $35,700 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 40 | $49,860 | $23.97 | $62,130 | $34,320 |
| Yakima, WA | 40 | $42,310 | $20.34 | $54,350 | $32,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a License to Work as a Central Service Technician or Sterile Processing Technician in Washington?
Yes.
Washington recently passed new legislation that requires allied health professionals like Central Service and Sterile Processing Technicians to have an occupational license.
Visit the Washington State Department of Health Occupational Licensing page to learn more about how to qualify through formal education and national certification.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Washington?
The time it takes to become a Central Service Tech in Washington depends on the program type and educational route taken by prospective candidates.
Full-time students who enroll in self-paced or accelerated certificate programs can complete mandatory program requirements within a few months to one year.
Associate degree-seeking students and part-time students can take up to two years to complete program requirements and gain certification.
What Are The Benefits of Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Washington?
The benefits of working as a Sterile Processing Tech in Washington include well-paying salaries, fast-paced work environments, and providing life-saving support services for local healthcare systems.
