The career of a sterile processing technician continues to grow across the country, including in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Employment opportunities abound across the city; professionals enjoy a strong community and robust career advancement, and those who wish to enter the field have access to top training programs nearby.
To ensure candidates make informed choices about their training destinations and related considerations, we have provided in-depth resources on this page. We begin by analyzing the requirements for education, certification, and job placement.
We then analyze the top training institutions and their offerings.
How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Albuquerque
Certification and education are the two critical steps when starting a career as a sterile processing technician in Albuquerque. Education comes first and can be divided into theoretical and practical components.
Theoretical education takes place in the classroom or online and covers the fundamental principles of the profession. Practical education occurs in a work environment and is typically achieved through a clinical practicum and internship.
Those who have completed formal training or 400 hours of work experience can qualify for certification. The HSPA and the CBSPD are the two most popular organizations for professional credentials in sterile processing in Albuquerque.
Top Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico
All of the schools listed below offer excellent training programs for future sterile processing technicians in Albuquerque.
University of New Mexico
Online, NM Online Only
The University of New Mexico’s Continuing Education Division offers an online, self-guided sterile processing technician program for interested individuals across the state. The school is known for excellent career-readiness programs, and this one is no exception.
Tuition
$3,035 - $3,490 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Southeast New Mexico College
Online, NM Online Only
Southeast New Mexico College offers a Sterile Processing Technician program designed for those wanting an entry-level role in clinical support. The program takes about 4-6 months to complete.
It covers the range of tasks candidates will encounter in a sterile processing department, including decontamination, cleaning, assembly, packaging, and distribution of reusable surgical instruments and equipment.
Tuition
$1,699 per ProgramContact
(888) 574-6218
support@edu2.com
Dona Ana Community College
Las Cruces, NM Campus Only
Dona Ana Community College, in conjunction with San Juan College, offers a pre-surgical technician training program, which is essentially a sterile processing technician program. Students complete both classroom and hands-on training sessions in a modern laboratory.
Tuition
$76 - $245 per CreditContact
(505) 566-3853
SurgicalTech@sanjuancollege.edu
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM Campus Only
Central New Mexico Community College’s program for prospective sterile processing technicians combines training in sterile processing and surgical technology. Both programs combine hands-on education with rigorous classroom training.
Tuition
$70 - $356 per CreditContact
(505) 224-3000
contactcenter@cnm.edu
Explore nearby states for education and training:
Explore detailed steps and the state’s licensing requirements:




