Career Overview
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
Also Known As
- Central Service Technician (CST)
- Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician)
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Sterile Processing Technician (Sterile Processing Tech)
Alternate Job Titles
- Aseptic Technician (Aseptic Tech)
- Bandage Maker
- Central Processing Technician (CPT)
- Central Service Technician (CST)
- Central Sterile Processing Technician (Central Sterile Processing Tech)
- Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician)
- Central Sterile Technician (Central Sterile Tech)
- Central Sterilization Technician
- Central Supply Processing Department Technician (CSPDT)
- Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- Certified Registered Central Services Technician (CRCST)
- Equipment Coordinator
- Equipment Technician
- Health Equipment Servicer
- Hot Packer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
- Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
- Record sterilizer test results.
- Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
- Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
- Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
- Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Order medical supplies for healthcare facilities or laboratories.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Perceptual Speed
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Cooperation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Aerators
- Automatic dryers
- Bar code scanners
- Bowie Dick test packs
- Chemical sterilization indicators
- Cleaning or sterilizing scrubbing brushes
- Computerized scope washers
- Desktop computers
- Equipment bar code readers
- Ethylene oxide gas sterilizers
- Gas sterilizers
- Heat-sealer machines
- Hot air sterilizers
- Laboratory glass flasks
- Medical examination protective gloves
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $35,400 |
| Median | $46,490 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $67,070 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 72,760
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Surgical Technologists
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $62,830
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Endoscopy Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,050
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $67,260
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.