A sterile processing technician plays a central role as a member of a healthcare team.
A sterile processing tech is responsible for the provision of medical equipment and supplies that are sterile and safe – an essential role that helps to prevent the spread of infection.
This allied health professional role is sometimes known as a Central Service Technician.
Page Navigation
- Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware
- Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware
- Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware – Summary Table
- Salary Information for Delaware Sterile Processing Technicians
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the annual fees for holding my Sterile Processing Technicians license in Delaware?
- What kind of certifications are available to Delaware Sterile Processing Technicians?
- What are the best places in Delaware to work as a Sterile Processing Technician?
- Is certification required to work as a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware?
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware
Certification isn’t a requirement for working as a sterile processing technician in the state of Delaware.
While training for a sterile processing technician is one of the few jobs that still have on-the-job training, many sterile processing techs choose to complete a training program, which often prepares them for certification as a sterile processing technician.
Remember that certification is a great way to show potential employers that you possess the knowledge to perform the duties required in any healthcare setting.
Note that to enroll in a sterile processing technician program, the prerequisites are minimal – holding a high school diploma or GED.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware
A sterile processing technician is an allied healthcare professional who is responsible for preventing the spread of infection by:
- Cleaning the surgical instruments
- Maintaining the functionality of instruments and equipment.
- Ensuring the safety of the instruments and equipment.
The Delaware Job Link – Dover, DE, and Online
The Delaware Job Link offers a Certified Central Service Technician Sterile Processing program that is delivered in a hybrid or blended course.
Graduates of this 600-clock-hour program receive an IHE Certificate of Completion.
This program is offered on the campus of Delaware Technical Community College.
The cost for in-state students is $2,995, which includes tuition, books, exam, and other fees.
BE INSTRUMENTAL, LLC – Newport, DE
BE INSTRUMENTAL offers a sterile processing technician program that runs 16 to 18 weeks, plus 400 hours of an externship after you complete the classroom instruction.
Classes are delivered in a hybrid method, with virtual coursework and in-class sessions for instrument education and training.
In addition, there is an internship that varies each year.
The cost of this sterile processing technician program is $2,000, which includes fees, tuition, and other incidentals.
Delaware Technical Community College – Dover, DE
Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) offers an associate degree in surgical technology, the only program of its kind in Delaware.
This Delaware Technical Community College two-year program includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology, plus practical training in surgical settings.
The total credits required to complete this degree program is 71.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Delaware – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in Delaware
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| The Delaware Job Link | 100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware 19904 |
| BE INSTRUMENTAL, LLC | 240 N James Street Suite 104 Box 8, Newport, DE 19804, USA |
| Delaware Technical Community College | 100 Campus Dr, Dover, DE 19904, United States |
Salary Information for Delaware Sterile Processing Technicians
A Sterile Processing Technician working in the state of Delaware can expect an average base salary of $48,186, with the top-of-scale earners reaching a yearly salary that nears $63,000.
Delaware’s average salary for a sterile processing technician exceeds the national annual average of $45,891.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | $40,080 |
| Dover | $40,180 |
| Newark | $40,050 |
| Milford | $40,380 |
| Seaford | $39,710 |
| Middletown | $40,050 |
| Bear | $40,030 |
| Smyrna | $40,090 |
| New Castle | $40,080 |
| Delaware City | $40,050 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the annual fees for holding my Sterile Processing Technicians license in Delaware?
There are no licensing requirements for sterile processing technicians in Delaware.
As a result, there are no annual state fees required.
What kind of certifications are available to Delaware Sterile Processing Technicians?
As a sterile processing technician working in Delaware, you have a choice of certifications.
The two primary organizations that offer certification for sterile processing technicians include:
- The CBSPD – the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, offers introductory certification for Sterile Processing staff that requires the passing of a proprietary exam.
- The IAHCSMM – the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materials Management, offers national certification opportunities to sterile processing technicians. In addition to providing entry-level technicians with a certification option, the IAHCSMM also offers certification in related specialties.
What are the best places in Delaware to work as a Sterile Processing Technician?
The largest number of Delaware opportunities to work as a sterile processing technician would be in large hospital systems, although there are other roles in smaller outpatient surgical centers and even oral surgeons/dentists’ offices.
The largest hospitals in the state include Christiana Hospital (Newark), Bayhealth Hospital (Dover), Delaware Psychiatric Center, and Dover Behavioral Hospital.
Is certification required to work as a Sterile Processing Technician in Delaware?
There are no state-mandated certification requirements to work as a sterile processing tech in Delaware; however, completing a sterile processing technician training program is a smart way to move forward in your career.
