What does a central service technician do?
A central service technician is a medical professional who prevents infections by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies in a health care facility. By using their knowledge on the principles of sterilization and sterile processing, central service technicians must disassemble, clean, and disinfect medical tools using both manual and mechanical techniques. They must conduct inventories and stock medical disposable goods in storage areas. Central service technicians must also assist with the orientation of new personnel who will perform essential duties of sterile processing as defined by the department.
Central service technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real central service technician resumes:
- Follow strict AAMI standards while utilizing Cidex OPA, to achieve high level disinfection.
- Check return items for completeness, cleanliness, and breakage.
- Run autoclave, sterrad, and ETO machines, which are sterilization machines.
- Sterilize instrument sets in using the appropriate method such as steam sterilization or sterrad.
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, and gas sterilizer, keeping all require records.
- Follow all applicable requirements recommend and require regulatory agencies such as OSHA and JCAHO.
- Transport patients and equipment throughout hospital.
- Ensure cleanliness, functionality and integrity of sterilize products.
- Experience in sterilization techniques of surgical instruments, invasive material and patients.
- Instrument breakdown in decontamination and operation of washer sterilizers and case cart washers
- Operate sterilizers ensuring proper cycle progression and performing test to assure proper operation.
- Demonstrate proper PPE and follow sterilization procedures for individual instruments and various hospital equipment.
- Include regularly schedule maintenance, safety recalls, computerize alignments, electrical and on-board computer module diagnosis using Audi diagnostic software.
- Prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens that are potentially harmful.
- Comply with facility safety policies & procedures, including those for blood borne pathogens & communicable diseases.
Central service technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Central Service Technicians are proficient in Patients, Sterile Processing, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Mechanical skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Central Service Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 18%
Experienced in sterilization techniques of surgical instruments, invasive material and patients.
- Sterile Processing, 15%
Developed/maintained CCHS Sterile Processing Department website assuring department related information was consistent with existing corporate marketing campaigns.
- Customer Service, 9%
Handle specimen issues and client issues while maintaining good lab protocol and excellent customer service skills.
- Instrument Trays, 6%
Prepare, inspect and assemble surgical instruments and powered surgical equipment into instrument trays or packages of individual items for sterilization.
- Sterilizers, 6%
Trained employees on biological monitoring, record keeping and data entry for flash and high and low temperature sterilizers.
- Surgery, 5%
Reviewed surgery schedule to determine proper processing.
Most central service technicians use their skills in "patients," "sterile processing," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential central service technician responsibilities here:
Dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a central service technician to have is dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require 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." Central service technicians often use dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "travel to costumer locations and repair and install hydrualic lifts, air compressors, grease pumps, and much more. "
Mechanical skills. Another essential skill to perform central service technician duties is mechanical skills. Central service technicians responsibilities require that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." Central service technicians also use mechanical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "operate, monitor and document biological and mechanical results of decontamination and sterilization equipment. "
Organizational skills. central service technicians are also known for organizational skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to central service technician responsibilities, because "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must maintain accurate service records and parts inventories." A central service technician resume example shows how organizational skills is used in the workplace: "prepare powerpoint and multimedia presentations to promote organizational learning throughout the h&p; land drilling fleet. "
Physical strength. For certain central service technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a central service technician rely on this skill, as "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be able to lift and move heavy equipment, tools, and parts without risking injury." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what central service technicians do: "provided transportation for patients to x-ray, emergency room, physical therapy and nursery. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another common skill required for central service technician responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." This skill comes up in the duties of central service technicians all the time, as "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with diagnostic equipment to find the source of malfunctions." An excerpt from a real central service technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a central service technician does: "general knowledge/troubleshooting of boilers, air compressors, air handlers & refrigeration systems. "
The three companies that hire the most central service technicians are:
- Swedish Hospital20 central service technicians jobs
- Health Alliance13 central service technicians jobs
- University of Washington12 central service technicians jobs
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Compare different central service technicians
Central service technician vs. Technician
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a central service technician are more likely to require skills like "sterile processing," "instrument trays," "surgery," and "medical terminology." On the other hand, a job as a technician requires skills like "hand tools," "diagnosis," "preventative maintenance," and "safety procedures." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the telecommunication industry, with an average yearly salary of $46,660. On the other hand, central service technicians are paid more in the non profits industry with an average salary of $36,306.technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than central service technicians. In fact, technicians are 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Central service technician vs. Service manager/senior technician
A sterile processing technician is responsible for performing the sterilization process and decontamination for all laboratory equipment and medical equipment to avoid the spread of infections, especially on medical procedures and critical laboratory tests. Sterile processing technicians follow a strict process of sterilizing equipment, including replacing defective tools, and proper waste procedures of disposable items. They must also adhere to the safety and sanitary standards on duty. They monitor inventories, deliver sterilized equipment to appropriate medical personnel, and organize equipment for medical procedures.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, central service technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "patients," "sterile processing," "customer service," and "instrument trays." Meanwhile, a service manager/senior technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "project management," "infrastructure," "service delivery," and "service management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Service managers/senior technician may earn a higher salary than central service technicians, but service managers/senior technician earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $112,335. On the other hand, central service technicians receive higher pay in the non profits industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,306.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Service managers/senior technician tend to reach higher levels of education than central service technicians. In fact, they're 12.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Central service technician vs. Sterile processing technician
A field technician is responsible for providing technical and maintenance support for the customers by area visits. Field technicians' duties include diagnosing technical problems, replacing malfunction components, upgrading systems for efficiency, running equipment tests to ensure stability, creating draft reports of performed processes, utilizing vehicles and other tools safely, following client's specifications on operating equipment, and adhering to the safety standards. A field technician must have excellent communication and decision-making skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the technological industry.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, central service technicians are more likely to have skills like "sterile processing," "instrument trays," "surgery," and "home health." But a sterile processing technician is more likely to have skills like "iahcsmm," "sterilization techniques," "indirect supervision," and "sterile storage."
Sterile processing technicians make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $46,244. On the other hand, central service technicians are paid the highest salary in the non profits industry, with average annual pay of $36,306.Most sterile processing technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to central service technicians. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Central service technician vs. Field technician
Types of central service technician
Updated January 8, 2025
