r/sterileprocessing

I've been researching a career switch into SP, but I've vasovagal syncope (I can faint sometimes at the sight of blood and I get woozy even reading about blood or the circulatory system). I've managed to get over my fear of having blood drawn, so I'm hoping this could be trained via mind over matter. How messy are the instruments upon arrival? Is this career impossible for someone like me?

If you’re getting into this field, and you’re going through a school that does not offer placement or a way to get your hours.

If not you are back in the same boat as before you started it.

This field can 100% be self study.

Do NOT give “schools” individuals etc your money unless they offer the placement,

If they can’t offer that it’s essentially a pyramid scheme

Personal advice:

1. Look for Non-Certified roles they exist ( and the best way to get your actual training)

2. CRCST exam is ZERO about instrument identification and all about processes and rules.

3. Don’t come into the field thinking it’s a “get rich field” it’s not, most don’t even stay in this field, they move up or move on to becoming a scrub Tech

Does anyone else’s taint area hurt after working in decon or just constantly walking back and forth all day long? Any remedies?

but still pushed the set through the washer as it was not attached to said instrument now there’s an investigation going on. My manager will most likely talk to me about it tomorrow. How should I go about this professionally as most on my coworkers ( and supervisor) dislikes me for no reason lol

I am signing a paper that says I acknowledge what I did

Thank you (:

Hi all! Good afternoon!

I did an aseptic technician program at my school last year that was supposed to set me up with a job but that fell through.

I was told my cert I bout through my school was enough but I keep seeing crcst and other certs, and I just want to get it so I can meet all requirements for the sterilization jobs I want. I have experience working in labs but those have been a school settings.

I need help trying to get my foot in the door 😭 any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Hey, so I just recently finished my sterile processing certificate and I’m HSPA certified, and I am having the hardest time trying to find a job or an internship anywhere in California. If there are any tips or tricks that anyone could give me that would be great. I keep applying and applying and applying and I keep hearing nothing. I understand that I don’t have the experience that a lot of these places are looking for, but it’s frustrating because how am I supposed to get the experience if somebody won’t take a chance is there are any recommendations or tips anybody could give me to get past the application process that would be greatly appreciated.
Hope y’all are having a good one.

The hospital I’m doing an externship cart washer and washer-disinfector machines frequently breakdown.

I had put in a request for PTO 8 months out (Jan 2027) and was denied immediately bc 1 person on my shift is out. I work at a large hospital with 3 separate SPD departments and am confused why. There have been several instances this month where techs are floated among the three sites to cover PTO, LOAs and call outs. I feel that given the amount of time for the request should give management sufficient time to plan.

I am planning to speak with my manager and was looking for some insight if anyone has had a similar issue.

So tonight my coworker said to me oh yeah idk if they told you but we gotta throw away all the things we shouldn’t have on the prep and pack side because joint commission is supposed to come tomorrow. Do all hospitals do this or have I just worked at the wrong ones? 🤔

I am currently very interested in this field of work and I have been doing my own research on what path Is for me. I believe that taking a college program would be super beneficial to me especially with a provided externship. I am looking at two school programs right now, Houston City College and The Concorde Sterile Processing Technician Diploma. HCC provides a full route to get certified, I'm not completely sure on how many hours you receive but the program is for a full certification so I am assuming 400 hours plus I thinkk you are set up with an entry level position(?). The Concorde route would give me only 140 hours but the school website says they may help with setting up externships. Is it worth looking into the Concorde route? Would I struggle way more finding somewhere to complete 260 hours after? Especially with the 6 month limit youre given. I live in Houston TX if that helps but I am also looking at programs in San Antonio.

I’m about to start at a hospital and wanted to see if anyone had any tips for success when starting out.

Hired in non certified in July 2024
Became certified in March 2026

Applied for Inventory manager/coordinator and fill in team lead when supervisor isn’t present and got the promotion.

For anyone that has done this inventory manager role, what can I expect? I no longer get to go to deco ( my favorite area!) but if help is needed in assembly or sterilization I can hop in and help.

This in a hospital in New York.

Hello all!

New to this sub, and I have so many questions.

I am currently a "sterile processing assistant" at a veterinary hospital. My job technically does not exist in the veterinary world except for when I am at. I am also considered a Kennel Assistant.

We run our pet surgeries similar to human surgeries and have 3-4 separate ORs running at any given time.

I have a lot of feelings about how cleanliness can affect how a surgery turns out alongside the sterilization process. The ethics of it tear me up daily.

I want to find a human sterile processing job asap. I am researching accredited community colleges in my area that work alongside hospitals.

I guess I am writing this to ask for luck.

The veterinary hospital I work at has questionable practice in regards to sterilization, which is pretty common through the veterinary field.

But attempting to learn from scratch how to sterilize from a veterinary technician who learned verbally through another technician as my on-boarding was not helpful.

Trying to learn by myself how to properly sterilize instruments, work our EO gas chamber, run/clean autoclaves that had not been cleaned since my onboarding has been a long and arduous journey for the past 5 years.

I need a change where what I do truly matters instead of guesswork.

I was a kid and naive and didn't understand what I was being brought in to do, and I try not to blame myself but the thought of possibly hurting an animal because of the laziness people when I am not on the clock or my own mishap with no checks is anxiety inducing.

I did the best I could.

I'm making a change and I will make a difference.

Any advice or help would be appreciated. The job market is trashed and I don't want to lose my job until I find something certain. I have applied at a few human hospitals to no avail as I am not yet certified.

As mentioned in the title, as a PSD, what do you usually do after work ? Do you have a side job ? Pr any hobbies that is profittable ? I mean typically SPD does not earn as much as nurse or doctor, so what do you usually do to make other living ? Or you just relax after work ? Appreciate any comments.

When in decontam, do you put your stringer instruments back in order (obv not on the stringer) or do you just make sure they’re open and sat properly to go through the wash? I, myself, don’t always have the patience for it. 😅