How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Connecticut

Successful surgeries depend not only on the surgical team but also on the tools used.

A sterile processing technician is in fact part of this team and their purpose is to ensure everything is clean and sterile right before it is used on the patient.

In Connecticut, these professionals are known as central service technicians, and in some areas of the state, as central sterile processing technicians.

Sterile Processing Technician Job Duties and Skills in Connecticut

So you might be interested in this entry-level position in the medical field, but what will you do once hired?

While the job title is self-explanatory, there are some duties that you might not think of, such as:

• Cleaning, sterilizing, decontaminating, packaging, and storing medical equipment
• Maintaining and repairing medical tools and equipment
• Controlling and monitoring the spread of disease and infection
• Following protocol and techniques for proper disinfection and sterilization of equipment
• Performing inventory checks
• Working in a fast-paced environment

These professionals are mostly seen in a surgical room which in many cases is a fast-paced place.

It goes without saying that you’re expected to have some specific abilities.

Some of these include:

• Strong organizational skills
• Good conversation skills
• Critical thinking
• Being respectful
• Able to stand for a longer time than others
• Identifying and troubleshooting common sterilization and storage problems
• A good understanding of medical terminology and aseptic techniques
• Accountability and personal responsibility

Candidates shouldn’t be surprised if employers will mention additional job duties that require additional skills for this is normal for many jobs in the medical field.

For instance, knowing CPR is commonly requested from everyone who works in this industry.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Connecticut

In Connecticut, sterile processing techs must be certified before getting hired.

The credential will be obtained by those who pass the exam organized by Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (or CBSPD for short).

The Board requires candidates to meet just one of these criteria:

• Having 12 months of full-time employment or its equivalent part-time hours performing SPD activities
• Having 12 months of healthcare product sales or service related to the SPD profession
• Having  6 months (each) of full-time employment or its equivalent part-time hours in related allied health (clinical healthcare profession), along with performing SPD activities in SPD
• Completion of a Sterile Processing Technician Training Course and at least a score of 70

You’re also expected to pay the exam fee of $128.

What the exam candidates must know is English, as in the US this test is only available in this language.

You’ll have 3 hours to correctly answer 125 questions.

There are an additional 25 pre-test questions that don’t get scored.

The duration of the certificate is of 5 years.

Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Connecticut

As I previously said, it’s better to enroll in a training program if you want to work as a sterile processing technician in Connecticut.

During these classes you’ll learn in-depth how to properly perform these tasks:

• Sterilization methods
• Infection control
• Decontamination
• Surgical instrumentation processing
• Storage and inventory management
• Documentation and record maintenance

CPR and other life support techniques will also be part of the curriculum.

Many of the schools offering such courses will also ask for:

• Having received immunizations against MMR, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and for a current Flu Vaccine
• Proof of being at least 18 years old
• Your high school diploma or GED

Asnuntuck Community College

The duration of the program is of 80 hours with 20 hours of practice in a medical facility.

At the end of the training program offered at Asnuntuck Community College, students will earn a certificate of completion.

Upon graduating, you’ll be able to take and pass the SPD technician certification exam.

Middlesex Community College

To enroll in the educational program offered to future central service techs by the Middlesex Community Collge, you’ll need:

• To be at least 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• To be able to lift and carry 40 pounds
• To be able to stand for long periods of time
• To pass a drug screening test
• To pass a background check

If you have financial problems and can’t pay your tuition fee, check out the CT Pathways or the USDOL funding programs.

Make sure to pay your tuition if you want to enroll in this class.

There are 60 hours of classroom education included in the program offered by this college.

Naugatuck Valley Community College

This is another certificate-issuing educational program for future sterile processing techs.

The course offered at this community college has a length of 83 hours.

This institution recommends that the candidates for this program be already familiar with the medical lingo, but this is not a must.

you might want to enroll here because the tuition covers all the materials you’ll need for your future classes.

Sterile Processing Technician Salaries in Connecticut

Not everyone wants to have a certain job because they like the occupation but for other reasons, such as monetary ones.

In Connecticut, salaries are generally higher than in the rest of the country.

For instance, most of those working as sterile processing techs earn close to $50,000 a year.

The lowest and highest ends on the salary spectrum for central sterile processing techs are around $39,000 and $64,000, respectively.

How much you’ll earn will depend on work experience and credentials.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Connecticut

Sterile Processing Technician by State