How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Michigan (Certification Programs & Salary Guide)

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Completing a Michigan sterile processing technician program allows students who have an interest in healthcare but who do not want to spend several years in school to start working in a short time.

Obtaining a certification provides additional opportunities for sterile processing program graduates.

Sterile processing technicians work in hospitals, outpatient care facilities, and surgical centers.

They also work in physician’s and dentist’s offices.

Michigan sterile processing technicians learn the principles of sterile processing, sterilization, and decontamination.

Steps to Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Michigan

Follow the steps to become a sterile processing technician in Michigan, to stand out among peers, and to have advancement opportunities.

Completing the steps demonstrates the commitment that applicants have to their careers.

Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma

Earning a high school diploma or a GED is the first step for people who want to work as a Michigan sterile processing technician.

Employers require job applicants to have a high school education.

Step 2: Develop the Traits and Characteristics of a Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile processing technicians need to have traits beyond technical skills.

They must have excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Michigan sterile processing technicians need organizational skills, problem-solving skills, and multitasking skills.

They often stand for long periods or walk a lot during their workday.

Step 3: Complete a Michigan Sterile Processing Technician Program

Completing a Michigan sterile processing technician program is an important step for people who want to work in the profession.

Employers want job applicants to have the knowledge and skills to perform their duties.

Michigan sterile processing technician programs prepare students to perform duties that include cleaning, decontaminating, and sterilizing medical and surgical instruments and equipment.

They learn about inventory management, and organizing and maintaining surgical instruments and equipment.

Step 4: Obtain Certification as a Sterile Processing Technician

The sterile processing technician programs at some schools meet the requirements for students to sit for a certification exam.

Some schools cover the cost of the exam.

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) explains that the Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) exam is for sterile processing technicians who have the knowledge, skills, and experience to provide advanced instrument specialist services.

Earning the additional certification will likely lead to a higher salary.

Step 5: Gain Experience

Gaining experience gives Michigan sterile processing technicians, sometimes called central service technicians, the opportunity for career advancement.

The experience can lead to getting a supervisory position or training new sterile processing technicians.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Michigan

The state of Michigan does not have licensing requirements for sterile processing technicians.

Employers establish their requirements for their sterile processing technicians.

Applicants who want to work as a sterile processing technician in Michigan need to read the requirements for each employer where they plan to apply for a job.

Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Michigan

Michigan offers several sterile processing technician programs that prepare students for entry-level jobs.

Reviewing the program requirements helps students to pick the program that best meets their educational and career goals.

Delta College

The Delta College Sterile Processing Technician program is an advanced certificate program.

The school prepares students to work as sterile processing technicians through coursework and hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art health professions lab.

Students take courses that include Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Fundamentals of Sterile Processing, and Basic Medical Emergencies during their first term. They take the 13-credit Sterile Processing Externship during their second term.

Completing the program qualifies students to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam.

Washtenaw Community College

Washtenaw Community College indicates that seats fill very fast for their Sterile Processing Certificate program.

The school accepts students into the program on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Students attend an orientation before taking courses.

Some courses in the 16-credit program include Critical Thinking and Reading, Introduction to Sterile Processing, and Introduction to Sterile Processing Equipment.

Students also complete the Sterile Processing Clinical.

The school bases tuition on residency.

The in-district tuition is $99 per credit hour.

The out-of-district tuition is $181 per credit hour.

Lansing Community College

The Lansing Community College Sterile Processing Technician Certificate program is a one-semester program.

Students complete the requirements in an in-person format.

Students complete the Foundations of Sterile Processing course.

They also complete an eight-week externship.

The program prepares students to take the National Certification Exam for Sterile Processing and Distribution.

Tuition for the Sterile Processing Technician Certificate program for the January 2025 term is $120 per billable hour.

Dorsey College

Dorsey College offers its Sterile Processing Technician program at four Dorsey College locations.

The locations that offer the program include the Madison Heights campus, the Roseville campus, the Wood Haven campus, and the Grand Rapids campus.

The program focuses on giving students the knowledge and skills needed to learn decontamination, cleaning, and sterilization techniques.

Students learn the assembly and packaging of instruments and equipment.

They learn about the storage and distribution of medical and surgical instruments and supplies.

Some courses include Anatomy and Physiology with Medical Terminology, Introduction to Central Processes, and Surgical Instrumentation.

Dorsey College provides students who complete the program with a one-time payment that covers the cost of taking a certification exam.

The $12,420 tuition includes the cost of 24 weeks of contact time, e-textbooks, one medical scrub uniform, and an electronic device.

It also includes the graduate’s cap and gown.

The cost of each course is $75.

Oakland Community College

Oakland Community College offers a Sterile Processing Technician program that gives students the knowledge, skills, and experience that is needed to obtain an entry-level job as a sterile processing technician.

The program, offered at the Southfield campus, includes coursework and 96 clinical hours of onsite experience.

The program prepares students to sit for the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) exam.

The tuition for the program is $2,000.

Michigan Healthcare Academy

The Central Sterile Processing Technician program at Michigan Healthcare Academy is a 12-week program.

Students attend classes two days per week.

The school also offers a five-week Accelerated Sterile Processing Technician program.

Students attend classes four days per week.

Students complete courses that include Infection Control, Surgical Instrumentation Processing, Sterilization, and Complex Surgical Instruments.

Completing the program prepares students to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam.

The school has a 99 percent first-time exam pass rate for students taking the exam.

The tuition is $2,000.

6 Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Michigan

School NameAddress
The Delta College1961 Delta Road University Center, MI 48710
Washtenaw Community College4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States
Lansing Community College600 N Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, United States
Dorsey College31739 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, United States
Oakland Community College739 S Washington Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48067, United States
Michigan Healthcare Academy33 N River Rd, Mt Clemens, MI 48043, USA

Salary

Salary.com indicates that the salary for Michigan sterile processing technicians is $39,125.

Some sterile processing technicians earn as much as $48,628.

The salary earned by Michigan sterile processing technicians depends on things like their experience.

The location where sterile processing technicians work affects their salary.

Sterile processing technicians who work in Ann Arbor earn an average salary of $40,671.

Sterile processing technicians who work in Lansing earn an average salary of $38,372.

Annual Salary Range:
$34K
$39K
$44K

Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Michigan

City NameSalary
Akron$36,866
Cedar Springs$38,293
Auburn$37,064
Augusta$39,125
Concord$38,649
Farmington$39,799
Fremont$37,222
Portland$38,174
Newport$39,323
Riverside$38,332
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Ann Arbor, MI240$44,810$21.54$49,170$37,830
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI1,100$45,070$21.67$54,430$36,850
Flint, MI80$46,270$22.25$53,600$37,370
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI270$43,210$20.78$49,310$37,210
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI100- NA -- NA -- NA -- NA -
Lansing-East Lansing, MI110$43,920$21.12$56,850$32,440
Niles-Benton Harbor, MI50$39,590$19.04$45,120$31,390
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical Equipment Preparers, OCC 31-9093, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some admission requirements for Michigan sterile processing technician programs?

Schools have their requirements.

Students may need to get some vaccines.

Schools often require students to get a criminal background check.

How do I earn a higher-than-average sterile processing technician salary?

Sit for a certification exam.

Compare the salary offered by employers.

Gain experience and become a supervisor.

What Michigan cities offer the highest average salary for sterile processing technicians?

Some cities that offer the highest average salary include Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Saline, and Salem.

Search Sterile Processing Technician Programs

Get information on Sterile Processing Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings