On-the-job sterile processing technician training

A technician in training will watch and participate in cleaning medical instruments for sterilization and also will learn how to perform tests on the instruments afterwards to make sure sterilization is effective.

They are also trained to examine equipment to try and detect if an instrument is defective, malfunctioning, or has loose components. They may also check certain kinds of medical equipment to make sure it is not leaking fluids.

If a sterile processing technician finds that a piece of medical equipment is defective, they immediately report it to supervisors or other medical staff.

Another key component of on-the-job sterile processing technician training is the keeping of inventories of medical equipment and its usage. They must tally all medical equipment and report if it is in good standing. Technicians also order more equipment when supplies are low or if a defective instrument needs to be replaced.

In addition, they will also be tasked with learning how to assist other medical personnel, such as nurses, with patient care duties. These responsibilities include patient transport from hospital rooms to other areas of the hospital, such as a surgery room or x-ray room.

Another main area of focus in training is to set up medical equipment when it is requested by a doctor or nurse.

Sometimes setting up duties will take place in one location of a hospital, and then the technician must transport the equipment to a different area of the hospital where it is needed.

In certain cases, sterile processing technicians also set up medical equipment and take part in the delivery of that medical equipment to the patient's home, where they might also inform the patient on proper usage.

There can be an overlap between the jobs of a sterile processing technician and the jobs of medical preparers, depending on the particular hospital or medical facility.