Sterile processing technicians work in a hospital’s sterile processing department inspecting, sterilizing, and cleaning equipment, medical tools, and devices used to treat patients.
They work in a hospital, clinics, doctor’s offices, or healthcare facilities.
It is a fast-paced technical job that requires the ability to work with others and follow strict procedures in handling medical equipment.
Technicians use computers to track equipment and provide verification that the equipment has been cleaned, sterilized, and distributed.
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Steps to Become A Sterile Processing Technician In Oregon
Oregon has several community colleges that offer training for becoming a sterile processing technician.
You should have a high school diploma to apply for these programs.
The courses teach the skills needed to do the job.
Some programs have a work-study where you will work in a hospital or medical facility, getting direct experience in the job.
This leads to entry-level employment when you finish the program.
Most hospitals and medical facilities require the completion of a course and certification to hire candidates.
Certification for the job requires taking a test and is done through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association and CBSPD.
Certification requires several hours of work experience or working 1 year in a medical facility verified by the employer.
Since most departments in healthcare facilities are overseen by licensed professionals, they are often audited by local health departments and other agencies.
Some hospitals and local medical facilities have programs and training for entry-level jobs, but most require education and certification.
Oregon has local community colleges offering a certificate program for a Sterile Processing Technician.
The program teaches decontamination, infection control, storage of surgical instruments, inventory control, and science.
Students need to be detail-oriented and able to keep accurate records.
Technicians spend a great deal of time delivering equipment to different departments in the medical facility.
The job has long hours that include weekends, night shifts, holidays, and being on call.
Admission to educational programs requires a high school diploma.
Candidates must be physically fit and have effective communication skills.
Schools With Sterile Processing Technician Program In Oregon
Portland Community College
The college offers a Sterile Technician Processing certificate that takes 1 semester to complete.
It has 42 hours of coursework and training in a lab in a hospital setting.
Students will study infection control, decontamination, handling surgical instruments, storage, distribution, inventory control, microbiology, and other sciences.
The instructor has 20 years of experience at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center.
The cost of tuition is $1,498, not including books.
Students will have to submit a drug test before being accepted into the program.
The cost is about $68.
Applications must be completed for students to be accepted into the program.
The school has campuses in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Beaverton.
Call 971-722-6627 for more information on this program.
Rogue Community College
The college is located at 3345 Redway Highway, Grants Pass, Oregon.
They offer a three-semester course that trains students for a career as a Sterile Technician Processing.
There are prerequisite courses in Business English, Computer Science, and basic Algebra.
The first semester courses include First Aid/CPR, Basic Life Support Provider, Sterile Processing, Legal and Ethical Issues, and Electives.
Second-term courses have Sterile Processing II, Techniques For Landing A Job, Biology, Introduction to Health Care Industry, and Communications and Professional Behavior.
The final third term offers a 12-credit Sterile Processing Technician Practicum and Seminar.
The cost of courses is $120 per credit, with a semester costing from $1,320 to 1,920 depending on the number of courses.
This program has a number of approved electives to choose from.
Students will learn about inventory control, decontamination, sterilization, and managing tools and equipment in medical facilities.
This program awards a certificate upon completion and prepares students to take the certification exam.
For more information about the program, call 541-245-7845 or 800-460-6766, Ext. 7845.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Oregon – Summary Table
Top 2 Schools in Oregon
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Portland Community College | 705 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217, USA |
| Rogue Community College | 3345 Redway Highway, Grants Pass, Oregon |
Yearly Salary of Sterile Processing Technician In Oregon
The yearly salary of a sterile processing technician in Oregon ranges from $33,805 to $47810 and can go higher depending on the level of the technician.
Monthly salaries are about $4,000 and weekly around $900.
The hourly range is $22-$23 dollars per hour.
The cities of Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, Gresham, Oregon City, Salem, Eugene, and Springfield have some of the highest salaries.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Oregon
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $39,760 |
| Eugene | $37,560 |
| Salem | $37,700 |
| Gresham | $39,710 |
| Beaverton | $39,760 |
| Hillsboro | $39,640 |
| Medford | $37,220 |
| Springfield | $37,480 |
| Bend | $37,140 |
| Corvallis | $37,260 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 100 | $48,030 | $23.09 | $58,850 | $42,910 |
| Corvallis, OR | 40 | $48,280 | $23.21 | $51,780 | $42,460 |
| Eugene, OR | 110 | $47,810 | $22.99 | $59,790 | $36,520 |
| Medford, OR | 80 | $47,670 | $22.92 | $60,260 | $33,910 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 690 | $52,210 | $25.1 | $67,940 | $36,730 |
| Salem, OR | 100 | $53,300 | $25.63 | $70,790 | $35,090 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a sterile processing technician do?
A sterile processing technician cleans and sterilizes equipment and tools in a hospital or medical facility.
This is an important part of patient care.
They clean, organize, sterilize, and deliver all healthcare and laboratory equipment.
They keep accurate records of all supplies throughout the facility.
Technicians reorder medical supplies and dispose of waste.
What qualities are needed to do well in this job?
The person should not be afraid to deal with blood, human tissue, and waste.
They should be physically fit and able to lift up trays and equipment.
The sterile processing technician needs to communicate well with others, be computer literate, and have the ability to work independently.
They should have an interest in the medical field and work in a hospital or medical facility.
They need to have patience, the ability to follow procedures, be detailed-oriented, and keep good records.
They must have good analytical skills and protect themselves when doing the job by wearing protective equipment.
How long are the educational programs and what do they involve?
Most educational programs involve one semester to three and have coursework and lab work.
They involve learning the skills needed to obtain an entry-level job.
What is needed to qualify for certification and take the exam?
Technicians must work for 1 year in a hospital or medical facility or work 400 hours and have it verified by the employer to take the exam for certification.
