Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Tennessee

One of the best ways to ensure success in any profession is proper planning. Proper planning takes shape not only through understanding educational pathways but also by considering potential requirements, actionable steps for salary growth, certification opportunities, and more.

Residents of Tennessee who want to start their sterile processing technician careers the right way have come to the right page. Here, we analyze every major part of the process to ensure candidates are as well prepared as possible.

We break down the admission requirements for securing entry into top programs, the kinds of programs to consider, certification steps, and more. We also provide a list of specific high-quality programs to consider.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Tennessee

Below is a step-by-step guide to starting a career as a sterile processing technician in Tennessee.

Comprehensive Training

Prospective sterile processing technicians should choose a training program that offers comprehensive education and fits their schedule. For those with busy schedules, it is possible to enter this profession through a self-paced, online program designed for certification preparation.

There are also suitable programs that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. These programs cover key topics such as infection control, microbiology, sterile storage, and medical terminology.

In an upcoming section, we highlight some of the best programs to consider in the state of Tennessee.

Clinical Internship

Clinical internships in sterile processing are an excellent way for candidates to consolidate their academic education. They get to see everything they have learned in action and practice for themselves.

It also provides a safe environment for students to begin acclimatizing without undue pressure. Most top programs also offer students the option to complete an internship either after completing the regular coursework or during their final weeks of training.

Certification & Employment

Finally, individuals with the right technical expertise in Tennessee can begin updating their resumes and applying for open positions. Competent sterile processing technicians can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers.

For career growth, certification is absolutely crucial. This can lead to better opportunities. Professionals can also transition to advanced surgical technology programs to further their careers.

Explore trades with similar paths:

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

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Tennessee is one of many states where sterile processing technicians can work professionally without a license. They can do so without certification, but certified professionals tend to fall behind non-certified professionals.

Employers prefer to work with certified sterile processing technicians, and certification also provides networking, continuing education, and salary benefits.

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association’s Certified Registered Central Service Technician credential is the most popular in the field. Those seeking an alternative can consider the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution credential.

Certified sterile processing technicians in Tennessee must renew their credentials by completing continuing education programs.

Top Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Tennessee

The following are some high-quality sterile processing technician programs to consider for residents of Tennessee.

Explore Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Tennessee by city:

• Sterile processing technician schools in Nashville

Salary & Career Outlook

The top-paying destinations for sterile processing technicians in Tennessee include Chattanooga and Johnson City, with average annual salaries of $84,907 and $73,445, respectively. Professionals in Germantown and Memphis also earn competitive incomes with yearly averages of $72,144 and $61,966, respectively.

Location, important as it is, is not the only factor determining how much candidates earn. There are also other important criteria, such as experience, work environment, and employers.

Generally, candidates in the top 10% are well rewarded, with an average annual salary of $91,001. Even those in the bottom 10% earn an average annual salary of $43,924.

The median category is where most people fall, and the average annual salary is approximately $63,223, according to Indeed.