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What is a central processing technician and how to become one
Central processing technicians are also known as sterile processing technicians. These are professionals that play a vital role in handling surgical equipment. They help prevent infection by cleaning, sterilizing, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical instruments. A great deal of care and precision is necessary to carry out this job effectively.
Hospitals are the primary employers of central processing technicians, although central processing technicians can also work in nursing homes, outpatient care centers, ambulatory surgical centers, and assisted living facilities.
A central processing technician needs to possess critical care skills. Employers will expect you to be cautious, courteous, and polite. To work in this role, you need to be a rule follower, patient, detail-oriented, analytical and hands-on. The most common diploma needed is an associate degree, high school diploma, and sometimes bachelor's degree. That said, you can earn an average of $35,781 per year working as a central processing technician. The higher you go, the better the pay.
Avg. Salary $35,088
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 8%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.48%
Asian 9.04%
Black or African American 8.21%
Hispanic or Latino 15.05%
Unknown 4.74%
White 61.49%
Genderfemale 65.31%
male 34.69%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Central processing technician career paths
Key steps to become a central processing technician
Explore central processing technician education requirements
Start to develop specific central processing technician skills
Skills Percentages Patients 12.53% Surgical Instruments 8.24% Customer Service 7.52% Sterilizers 7.17% Medical Terminology 5.24% Complete relevant central processing technician training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New central processing technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a central processing technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real central processing technician resumes.Gain additional central processing technician certifications
More About CertificationsCentral processing technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific central processing technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for central processing technicians include Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRSCT) and Medical Assistant.
Research central processing technician duties and responsibilities
- Prepare and sanitize by protocols and procedures surgical instruments for patients.
- Sterilize instruments using specialize equipment including steam autoclaves, sonic washers, acid sterilizers, sterile dryers.
- Perform quality control protocols for steam, gas and sterrad sterilizing equipment.
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves by keeping items and records of load complete.
Prepare your central processing technician resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your central processing technician resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a central processing technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable central processing technician resume templates
Build a professional central processing technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your central processing technician resume.
Apply for central processing technician jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a central processing technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first central processing technician job
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Average central processing technician salary
The average central processing technician salary in the United States is $35,088 per year or $17 per hour. Central processing technician salaries range between $27,000 and $44,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do central processing technicians rate their job?
Central processing technician reviews
K if I were a central supply clerk I would take pride in the work that I was doing
Very little I don't like.
Updated January 8, 2025
