If you would like to know how to become a sterile processing technician in New Jersey, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many options for training programs.
It’s important that you do diligent research to gain an understanding of the details of specific programs and the requirements for the state of New Jersey in this career field.
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- Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in New Jersey
- Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New Jersey
- Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New Jersey – Summary Table
- Salary for a Sterile Processing Technician
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I make the most as a sterile processing technician in New Jersey?
- What is the career path for someone who enters into the sterile processing technician field?
- Are you required to get certification in order to be a sterile processing technician in New Jersey?
- Does New Jersey have a sterile processing technician licensing program?
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in New Jersey
- Receive your high school diploma or an equivalent. Most (if not all) employers in New Jersey will require at least that level of education.
- Enter into a sterile processing technician certificate program from an accredited school or training center. This may take you a few months to a year to complete, though some are fast-track programs you can complete within a few weeks.
- Complete an internship in order to get clinical experience. This way, you can apply your knowledge in a real-life setting and become more confident in your skills by the time you start your career.
- Take a certification exam. Many of these training programs will prepare you for a national certification exam. If you pass this, it puts you in a better position to have your pick of places to work as a sterile processing tech.
- Work in your field in a hospital, clinic, surgical center, or another healthcare facility. Over time, you will likely be required to take continuing education to keep up-to-date on current techniques and technology.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New Jersey
Medical Career Institute
This certificate program provides you with 40 quarter credits that you take over a period of 29 weeks.
It aligns with the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) training requirements.
At the completion of the program, you’ll be able to take the Department of Health and Senior Services certification exam that’s mandatory in New Jersey.
The training will prepare you for employment as a Registered Central Service Technician in a variety of settings.
Contact the school to find out about tuition and financial aid opportunities.
Contact Information
- Address: 901 West Park Ave Suite 201 Ocean Township, NJ
- Phone: 732-695-1190
- Website: Sterile Processing Technology | MCI (mcinj.edu)
Berkeley College
In the Surgical Processing Technician certificate program, you’ll be required to take a variety of healthcare courses that include Anatomy & Physiology, Ethical and Legal Aspects of Health Services, Medical Terminology, and Fundamentals of Surgical Processing.
The program meets the guidelines of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) and upon completion of the program, you’ll be able to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician exam.
The cost will vary depending on current fees and if you are taking at least 12 credits at a time, with the cost being $890 per credit hour if you’re taking 11 or fewer credits during that semester.
Contact Information
- Address: There are campuses in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park
- Phone: 1-800-446-5400
- Website: Berkeley College: Publications
Marie’s Allied Health & Technical Institute
The Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician program is offered online and in person and is held over a period of 52 weeks for 800 total hours.
It’s ideal for entry-level careers as well as for people who are looking to make a change in their healthcare field.
You’ll have regular course instruction and an externship that will give you practical experience.
You will learn about anatomy & physiology, sterilization procedures, infection control, and microbiology, among other things.
You’ll be able to take the national exam to become certified after you complete the training program.
Contact Information
- Address: 1543 Route 27 Suite 14, Franklin Township Somerset, NJ
- Phone: (732) 565-0898
- Website: Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician – Marie’s Allied Health & Technical Institute (mariesalliedhealth.com)
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in New Jersey – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in New Jersey
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Medical Career Institute | 901 West Park Ave Suite 201 Ocean Township, NJ |
| Berkeley College | 44 Rifle Camp Rd, Woodland Park, NJ 07424, United States |
| Marie's Allied Health & Technical Institute | 1543 Route 27 Suite 14, Franklin Township Somerset, NJ |
Salary for a Sterile Processing Technician
The median salary for a sterile processing technician currently in New Jersey is $43,515 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in New Jersey
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Newark | $43,200 |
| Jersey City | $44,850 |
| Paterson | $44,010 |
| Elizabeth | $43,200 |
| Edison | $42,820 |
| Woodbridge | $42,820 |
| Dover | $43,410 |
| Alpine | $44,010 |
| Trenton | $41,630 |
| Camden | $40,500 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 80 | $51,670 | $24.84 | $65,560 | $39,070 |
| Trenton, NJ | 70 | $57,650 | $27.72 | $123,100 | $35,250 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make the most as a sterile processing technician in New Jersey?
You can ensure a higher salary by advancing in your career.
This is made possible by taking certification exams and continuing education courses.
For the most part, you can seek a promotion within a year or a few years, especially in a high-demand state such as New Jersey.
What is the career path for someone who enters into the sterile processing technician field?
You typically would start out as something like Sterile Processing Technician I.
Then, you can advance to Travel Sterile Processing Technician and Central Supply Supervisor.
Are you required to get certification in order to be a sterile processing technician in New Jersey?
The state of New Jersey does require that all central sterile processing technicians take the certification exam that’s approved or offered by a national sterile processing organization that’s recognized by the New Jersey Department of Health.
However, there may be other careers in this field in which you can work without being credentialed.
Does New Jersey have a sterile processing technician licensing program?
There is no statewide licensing program that exists currently for sterile processing technicians in New Jersey.
There are boards that provide oversight for central sterile processing departments, such as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
