What does a central processing technician do?
A central processing technician monitors the daily operations of a processing facility, ensuring equipment and machinery function smoothly and efficiently. They primarily conduct assessments and inspections to monitor and adjust machine parameters, perform quality tests on different products, and ensure that all procedures comply with industry standards and company regulations. Moreover, they also conduct regular maintenance checks on machines, troubleshoot issues, perform basic repairs, report to managers about faulty equipment and processes, maintain daily production records, and enforce safety standards and guidelines.
Central processing technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real central processing technician resumes:
- 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.
- Assist the department manager with the development of policies according to JCAHO and OSHA specifications.
- Monitor and adhere to departmental activities/procedures according to guidelines establish by OSHA, AORN and JCA.
- Ensure charting load records accuracy through precise documentation of sterilizers (time and date in/out of attest auto-reader).
- Check all instruments for defects; make sure they are in proper working order, and a final check for cleanliness.
- Decontaminate used patients care equipment.
- Identify and inspect instruments for cleanliness and functionality.
- Decontaminate, assemble and sterilize surgical and floor instruments using steam and sterrad sterilization.
- Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
- Order supplies for specialty units to include beds, wind vacs, trapeze bars, and traction.
- Maintain EKG procedure room, including detail management of computerize patient check-in system.
Central processing technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Central Processing Technicians are proficient in Patients, Surgical Instruments, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Math skills, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Central Processing Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 13%
Prepared and sanitized by protocols and procedures surgical instruments for patients.
- Surgical Instruments, 8%
Decontaminated, sterilized and wrapped surgical instruments and assembled instrument trays for surgery.
- Customer Service, 8%
Perform various office tasks such as scheduling, briefing, customer service, and problem solving.
- Sterilizers, 7%
Sterilized instruments using specialized equipment including steam autoclaves, sonic washers, acid sterilizers, sterile dryers.
- Medical Terminology, 5%
Complete sterile supply training courses and medical terminology to pass exams for certification.
- Surgical Procedures, 5%
Assemble and process instrumentation for surgical procedures at a variety of different Hospitals.
"patients," "surgical instruments," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that central processing technicians use at work. You can find even more central processing technician responsibilities below, including:
Dexterity. This is an important skill for central processing technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how central processing technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must perform many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, with a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a central processing technician: "hand tools * cutting torch * clean warehouse * fork lift driver * bearing assembly technician. ".
Mechanical skills. A big part of what central processing technicians do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to central processing technician responsibilities because "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical central processing technician tasks: "decontaminate used, soiled surgical instruments either manually or mechanically following system-wide polices and procedures and manufacturer protocol. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for central processing technician responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of central processing technicians all the time, as "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must maintain accurate service records and parts inventories." An excerpt from a real central processing technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a central processing technician does: "prepare powerpoint and multimedia presentations to promote organizational learning throughout the h&p; land drilling fleet. "
Physical strength. Lastly, "physical strength" is an important element of what a central processing technician does. Central processing technician responsibilities require this skill because "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be able to lift and move heavy equipment, tools, and parts without risking injury." This resume example highlights how central processing technician duties rely on this skill: "rotated stock, responsible for weekly physical inventory cycle counts, computer entry for supplies received and distributed including patient charges. "
The three companies that hire the most central processing technicians are:
- Intermountain Healthcare27 central processing technicians jobs
- Highmark19 central processing technicians jobs
- Trinity Health12 central processing technicians jobs
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Compare different central processing technicians
Central processing technician vs. Can sterilizer
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between central processing technicians and can sterilizer. For instance, central processing technician responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "surgical instruments," "customer service," and "sterilizers." Whereas a can sterilizer is skilled in "dental assistants," "clean rooms," "examination rooms," and "patient problems." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, can sterilizers reach similar levels of education than central processing technicians. Can sterilizers are 1.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Central processing technician vs. Sterilizer operator
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that central processing technician responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "surgical instruments," "customer service," and "medical terminology." But a sterilizer operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "sops," "gmp," "cip," and "apa."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Sterilizer operators tend to reach similar levels of education than central processing technicians. In fact, they're 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Central processing technician vs. Oxygen equipment aide
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, central processing technicians are more likely to have skills like "patients," "surgical instruments," "medical terminology," and "surgical procedures." But a oxygen equipment aide is more likely to have skills like "medical gases," "infection control procedures," "iv poles," and "safety procedures."
When it comes to education, oxygen equipment aides tend to earn similar degree levels compared to central processing technicians. In fact, they're 3.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Central processing technician vs. Sterilization specialist
Types of central processing technician
Updated January 8, 2025
