What does a central sterilization technician do?
A central sterilization technician is responsible for the cleanliness and sterilization of medical tools and equipment, including proper segregation of disposable items to prevent contamination and possible transmission of infections. Central sterilization technicians assist in providing high-quality patient services by ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory equipment and maintaining the adequacy of medical supplies. They also categorize medical equipment and keep them in safe and secure storage. Since central sterilization technicians often work inside a laboratory, they must follow strict safety protocols at all times, especially since they are exposed to chemicals and other fluids.
Central sterilization technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real central sterilization technician resumes:
- Initiate tests and activate steam autoclaves, Sterrad sterilizer, ETO, gas plasma sterilizer, package sealer and cart washer.
- Operate all sterilizers and sterilization equipment.
- Maintain compliance with various standardization agencies such as AAMI and AORN.
- Maintain all statewide OSHA guidelines and all internal policies and procedures of the hospital.
- Operate steam, gas (ETO), and other methods of sterilization according to each hospital.
- Maintain the cleanliness of work areas as required by completing daily logs and shift duties according to departmental policy.
- Assemble individual instruments and equipment as well as trays of instruments according to specify lists and in accordance with OSHA standards.
- Check equipment for cleanliness and functionality.
- Perform all necessary biological tests on sterilizers.
- Maintain and operate autoclave and sterrad machines.
- Operate various autoclaves to sterilize medical instruments.
- Review surgery schedule to determine proper processing.
- Operate semiautomatic/automatic sterilizing equipment, such as autoclaves.
- Wash and sterilize surgical instruments for general surgery, optical surgery, orthopedic surgery and cardiac surgery.
- Process all chemistry specimens and deliver to appropriate stations.
Central sterilization technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Central Sterilization Technicians are proficient in Sterile Processing, Patients, and Sterilizers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Mechanical skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Central Sterilization Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sterile Processing, 21%
Obtained sterile processing certification, successfully lead dept.
- Patients, 21%
Answered phones and made appointments for new and returning patients.
- Sterilizers, 9%
Performed all necessary biological tests on sterilizers.
- Customer Service, 6%
Developed customer services training and departmental reports and the implementation of all in-service programs to meet employee and department requirements.
- Sterrad, 4%
Maintained and operated autoclave and sterrad machines.
- Data Entry, 4%
Sterilize instruments, ordering and clerical including data entry
Common skills that a central sterilization technician uses to do their job include "sterile processing," "patients," and "sterilizers." You can find details on the most important central sterilization technician responsibilities below.
Dexterity. The most essential soft skill for a central sterilization technician to carry out their responsibilities is dexterity. This skill is important for the role because "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." Additionally, a central sterilization technician resume shows how their duties depend on dexterity: "charted and logged patients vitals, turn and reposition patients who are bedridden, use hoyer-lift and sit-to-stand lifts. "
Mechanical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling central sterilization technician duties is mechanical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." According to a central sterilization technician resume, here's how central sterilization technicians can utilize mechanical skills in their job responsibilities: "operated sonic-cavitation and mechanical disinfectant washers in decontamination room. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for central sterilization technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how central sterilization technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must maintain accurate service records and parts inventories." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a central sterilization technician: "know the organizational structure, objectives, responsibilities, and functions of a sterile processing & distribution department. ".
Physical strength. A big part of what central sterilization technicians do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to central sterilization technician responsibilities because "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be able to lift and move heavy equipment, tools, and parts without risking injury." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical central sterilization technician tasks: "collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs. "
Troubleshooting skills. A commonly-found skill in central sterilization technician job descriptions, "troubleshooting skills" is essential to what central sterilization technicians do. Central sterilization technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with diagnostic equipment to find the source of malfunctions." You can also see how central sterilization technician duties rely on troubleshooting skills in this resume example: "handled troubleshooting over the phone for sterilization products worked on steris steam sterilizers - low temperature sterilizers - endoscope processers. "
See the full list of central sterilization technician skills
The three companies that hire the most central sterilization technicians are:
- HealthTrust130 central sterilization technicians jobs
- Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego
58 central sterilization technicians jobs
- Legacy Health36 central sterilization technicians jobs
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Compare different central sterilization technicians
Central sterilization technician vs. Oxygen equipment aide
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, central sterilization technician responsibilities require skills like "sterile processing," "patients," "sterrad," and "patient care equipment." Meanwhile a typical oxygen equipment aide has skills in areas such as "medical gases," "dirty equipment," "infection control procedures," and "iv poles." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, oxygen equipment aides reach similar levels of education than central sterilization technicians. Oxygen equipment aides are 1.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Central sterilization technician vs. Oxygen equipment preparer
Each career also uses different skills, according to real central sterilization technician resumes. While central sterilization technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "sterile processing," "patients," "customer service," and "sterrad," oxygen equipment preparers use skills like "patient care," "hospital locations," "kitchen prep," and "respirators."
Oxygen equipment preparers earn higher levels of education than central sterilization technicians in general. They're 8.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Central sterilization technician vs. Durable medical equipment technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from central sterilization technician resumes include skills like "sterile processing," "sterilizers," "customer service," and "sterrad," whereas a durable medical equipment technician is more likely to list skills in "durable medical equipment," "equipment delivery," "dot," and "wheel chair. "
Durable medical equipment technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to central sterilization technicians. Specifically, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Central sterilization technician vs. Sterilizer operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between central sterilization technicians and sterilizer operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a central sterilization technician might have more use for skills like "sterile processing," "patients," "customer service," and "sterrad." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of sterilizer operators require skills like "sops," "gmp," "cip," and "apa. "
In general, sterilizer operators hold similar degree levels compared to central sterilization technicians. Sterilizer operators are 0.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of central sterilization technician
Updated January 8, 2025
