Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Maryland

Maryland is an amazing place to work as a sterile processing technician. Thanks to the presence of top-class medical establishments and surgical centers, there is a strong demand for professionals who ensure the cleanliness and sterility of crucial medical instruments.

Of course, this is the domain of a sterile processing technician. Anyone in Maryland who would like to enter the profession and enjoy its benefits can do so by following the approach outlined below.

We analyze educational opportunities, training institutions, preparatory steps, certification, and average annual salaries. We also discuss what candidates can do to improve their annual earnings.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Maryland

All of the steps below are crucial for starting a career as a sterile processing technician in Maryland.

High School Diploma or GED

Anyone who wants to become a sterile processing technician in Maryland and attend the best programs must have a high school diploma or a GED. These are usually the basic educational requirements expected by training programs and employers.

Those without a high school diploma can, of course, use a GED equivalent.

Sterile Processing Technology Programs

After meeting the basic requirements for a high school diploma or GED, candidates must choose a sterile processing technician training program. There are several amazing options in Maryland, including schools that allow candidates to complete their education entirely online.

Depending on their choice, a sterile processing technician program can take between 10 weeks and 2 years to complete. They usually cover crucial topics including microbiology, surgical terminology, sterilization, infection control, anatomy and physiology, and more. We explore top options to consider in an upcoming section.

Securing Employment

Sterile processing technicians can work in any medical establishment as long as there are medical instruments that need sterilization. However, before securing employment, students often participate in an internship.

They may secure a full-time job placement through this avenue. Certification and networking are other tools that individuals in Maryland may use to secure straightforward employment as sterile processing technicians.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Steps to become a plumber in Maryland

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Certification as a sterile processing technician in Maryland is absolutely valuable for career opportunities. It is valuable for networking, continuing education, a better salary, and straightforward employment.

Thankfully, the process to become certified in the state is quite straightforward. Candidates need to choose a certification examination and meet their credentialing requirements.

Usually, passing through an academic program is enough to qualify for certification. Those who didn’t attend academic programs can also leverage their years of work experience.

The Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) is among the best to pursue in the field.

Top Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Maryland

Individuals may enroll in any of the following programs for robust sterile processing technician education in Maryland.

Explore Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Maryland by city:

• Sterile processing technician schools in Baltimore

Salary & Career Outlook

A survey of sterile processing technicians in Maryland showed that the highest-paying cities in terms of annual income are as follows:

• Germantown, with an annual average salary of $69,069;
• Bethesda, with an annual average salary of $65,642;
• Baltimore, with an annual average salary of $62,936; and
• Olney has an annual average salary of $61,425.

Without analyzing the data through the lens of any singular criterion, the distribution can be broken down into three main categories as follows:

• In the top 10%, professionals manage an annual average salary of $72,752;
• In the bottom 10%, they manage an annual average salary of $52,129; and
• In the middle brackets, they earn an average annual salary of $61,583 according to Indeed.

For those curious about what factors determine where candidates fall, they usually include experience and location. Of course, factors such as professional credentials, employers, and work environments are also quite important.