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Sterile processing technician vs durable medical equipment technician

The differences between sterile processing technicians and durable medical equipment technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a sterile processing technician and a durable medical equipment technician. Additionally, a sterile processing technician has an average salary of $38,299, which is higher than the $37,465 average annual salary of a durable medical equipment technician.

The top three skills for a sterile processing technician include patients, sterilizers and IAHCSMM. The most important skills for a durable medical equipment technician are durable medical equipment, patients, and DOT.

Sterile processing technician vs durable medical equipment technician overview

Sterile Processing TechnicianDurable Medical Equipment Technician
Yearly salary$38,299$37,465
Hourly rate$18.41$18.01
Growth rate8%16%
Number of jobs21,59279,196
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Sterile processing technician vs durable medical equipment technician salary

Sterile processing technicians and durable medical equipment technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sterile Processing TechnicianDurable Medical Equipment Technician
Average salary$38,299$37,465
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $50,000Between $28,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyBlessing Hospital Emergency Room-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between sterile processing technician and durable medical equipment technician education

There are a few differences between a sterile processing technician and a durable medical equipment technician in terms of educational background:

Sterile Processing TechnicianDurable Medical Equipment Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 30%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillSUNY Farmingdale

Sterile processing technician vs durable medical equipment technician demographics

Here are the differences between sterile processing technicians' and durable medical equipment technicians' demographics:

Sterile Processing TechnicianDurable Medical Equipment Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.3% Female, 61.7%Male, 72.5% Female, 27.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 9.5% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 9.5% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between sterile processing technician and durable medical equipment technician duties and responsibilities

Sterile processing technician example responsibilities.

  • Connect the patients to monitors such as EKG leads and pulse ox monitor.
  • Train Honduras hospital personnel on AAMI and IAHCSMM standards.
  • Position or transport patients to and from the Endo suite.
  • Experience with portable procedures in ER, IR and ICU.
  • Assist doctor's with ERCP procedures RX system (short wire).
  • Blood draw's, EKG'S, splinting and assisting doctor with sutures.
  • Show more

Durable medical equipment technician example responsibilities.

  • Ensure proper transfer and disposition of medical record to the VA in CHCS are accomplished according to establish policies and procedures.
  • Provide product training with patients and caretaker staff utilizing manufacturers recommendations.
  • Provide exceptional customer service to patients, physicians and insurance representatives.
  • Direct personnel in the implementation of OSHA regulations and inform them of any changes in microbiological control processes for effective sterilization.
  • Update inventory and customer database information.

Sterile processing technician vs durable medical equipment technician skills

Common sterile processing technician skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Sterilizers, 10%
  • IAHCSMM, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
Common durable medical equipment technician skills
  • Durable Medical Equipment, 34%
  • Patients, 28%
  • DOT, 6%
  • Wheel Chair, 3%
  • Scooters, 3%
  • Walkers, 2%

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