Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware

One of the major duties of the sterile processing technician in Connecticut is to sterilize medical instruments. However, these professionals also perform other key duties, including maintaining constant communication with medical professionals, taking inventory of instruments, and ensuring they are available in the right condition when needed.

Residents of Delaware who would like to enter this profession can do so by following the guide on this page. Here, we provide a detailed exploration of all the steps involved in the process, including education, licensing, certification, and continuing education.

We also take a look at some of the best programs to consider for comprehensive education.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware

The following is a step-by-step breakdown of the process for becoming a sterile processing technician in Delaware.

Enrolling in a Training Program

Sterile technician training programs are offered at community colleges and technical schools in Delaware. Individuals can choose a program that suits their preferences.

This can be in terms of availability, duration, or specific awards and degrees. Schools provide advisers who answer specific questions from applicants who may not yet be admitted.

During their time in training, aspiring sterile processing technicians learn infection control, microbiology, surgical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and sterilization.

Finishing an Internship

Aspiring sterile processing technicians, during the training or upon program completion, can apply for an internship. These clinical internships are designed to help students work on and refine the skills they have cultivated in the classroom.

An internship or other form of “on-the-job” training initiatives in the profession can also serve as a way to qualify for certification, which is another key part of becoming a successful sterile processing technician in Delaware. We explore certification further in the next section.

Employment & Further Education

Those with the right level of theoretical and practical expertise can secure employment as sterile processing technicians in Delaware. They can work in surgical centers, hospitals, and clinics.

With the right level of further education, professionals in the field can also advance into an array of other positions, including sterile processing supervision, surgical technician, and nursing.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a medical biller and coder in Delaware

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In Delaware, sterile processing technicians are not expected to be licensed or registered with any state agency. Certification is also generally not mandatory, but those who don’t pursue certification are usually at a big disadvantage in the discipline.

They will not have access to the same employment opportunities as certified professionals. This is why candidates are expected to pursue a nationally-recognized credential from a prominent certification body.

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association and the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution offer the most popular credentials in the field. Candidates have to pass an examination to earn these credentials.

They also have to maintain that credential by renewing it yearly through continuing education.

Top Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware

All of the schools below offer comprehensive training for future sterile processing technicians in Delaware.

Explore Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware by city:

• Sterile processing technician schools in Wilmington

Salary & Career Outlook

The median annual salary of $55,316 is where most sterile processing technicians in Delaware find themselves, according to Indeed.

This figure is 23 points below the national average.

Of course, professionals can earn significantly higher and be, for example, in the top 10%. In this case, they will earn an average annual salary of $73,714 or more. For those in the bottom 10%, the expected annual average salary is $41,510. Candidates usually fall at the lower end because they have yet to optimize crucial factors such as experience, work environment, and employers.

Location can also significantly influence yearly earnings for sterile processing technicians in Delaware. Currently, the top cities with the highest averages are Dover ($80,571), Lewes ($72,765), and Wilmington ($51,329).