Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Louisiana

Becoming a sterile processing technician is appealing to individuals in Louisiana for several reasons. First, the field is among the easiest to enter in the healthcare sector.

Additionally, professionals in this field enjoy a strong community, competitive salaries, and numerous opportunities to continue improving. Below, we outline everything an interested individual needs to know to get started on a career as a sterile processing technician in Louisiana.

These include the best way to prepare, the best academic options to consider, certification and licensing opportunities, and factors that help professionals improve their average annual salaries.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Louisiana

Below are the steps necessary to become a sterile processing technician in Louisiana.

Choosing a Training Program

Naturally, the first step to becoming a successful sterile processing technician in Louisiana is to complete a program. This is how candidates develop the right skills and knowledge of professional responsibilities.

When choosing a sterile processing technician program, applicants have several options to consider. Among these are non-credit courses that can be completed online, as well as certificate and associate degree programs that allow for campus-based, virtual, and hybrid learning.

Finishing Training

Finishing sterile processing technician training is more than completing an academic program. Although most training program graduates can perform their duties, it takes time to acclimate to the demands of a real-world professional environment.

This is why candidates typically complete an internship immediately after completing a training program. This also gives them greater confidence in qualifying for certification examinations.

Employment, Certification & Career Growth

Employers of sterile processing technicians include hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and practically all medical establishments where instruments must be maintained. Certification is a major factor in securing employment at these top establishments.

Through certification and continuing education, professionals in the field can enhance their career prospects, take supervisory and leadership roles, and transition into other, more advanced fields.

Explore trades with similar Paths:

• Learn how to become a medical biller and coder in Louisiana

Licensure & Certification Requirements

To become a certified sterile processing technician in Louisiana, candidates must select a credentialing body. The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association is the most popular credentialing body.

Individuals can qualify for HSPA certification with a 70% overall score in their training programs or 400 hours of work experience. Afterward, they can register for the certification examination and, if they achieve a passing score, will be officially certified.

Certification, however, must continue to be maintained even after it is earned for the first time. Continuing education credits are required annually to maintain Certified Registered Central Service Technician status with the HSPA.

Top Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Louisiana

The following schools offer the best programs for prospective sterile processing technicians in Louisiana.

Explore Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Louisiana by city:

• Sterile processing technician schools in New Orleans

Salary & Career Outlook

Without analyzing the data by a single criterion, sterile processing technicians in Louisiana earn an annual average salary of $74,200 in the top 10% category. The figure relevant to those in the bottom-earning category is around $50,056.

The majority fall into the median category; the relevant figure here is $60,944, according to Indeed. Those in the top 10% typically succeed because they have more experience and work in favorable locations.

With a focus on location, data suggests that Lafayette is the best place to work in the state, thanks to its annual average salary of $69,568. Other cities in the top three are Baton Rouge ($66,216) and Shreveport ($61,967).