Sterile processing technicians are a crucial part of the overall healthcare team.
They are responsible for ensuring that medical equipment and surgical tools are clean and sterilized.
If you are interested in a healthcare career that doesn’t require years of school, you should consider becoming a sterile processing technician.
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Wisconsin
There are no official requirements to become a sterile processing technician, which means you have some choices when beginning this career.
Generally, you’ll want to consider what potential employers are looking for when deciding how to get started as a sterile processing technician.
Complete a Training Program
Most sterile processing technicians begin by completing a training program.
You can find programs in person or online, and they typically range from 2 to 12 months in length.
Hands-on Experience
Some training programs will provide you with an externship so you can gain hands-on experience.
However, others do not.
Like other healthcare careers, real-life experience is essential to do your job correctly.
Some employers are willing to train you on the job without previous education or experience, but these positions can be tough to find.
However, if you’ve already completed a training program, you are more likely to find a willing employer.
Certification
There are two certifications you can get as a sterile processing technician, with the most common being provided by the HSPA.
To become certified, you’ll need hands-on experience or a completed sterile processing training program.
Certification can help show a potential employer that you have the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a sterile processing technician.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Wisconsin
Licensing or certification isn’t required to be a sterile processing technician in Wisconsin, but it can be very beneficial.
Let’s take a look at the two common certifications for sterile processing techniques.
HSPA Certification
The HSPA, or Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, offers a CRCST, or Certified Registered Central Services Technician, certification.
You’ll need to pass a certification exam.
The exam has seven sections, including Departmental Considerations, Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Decontamination, Preparation and Packaging, and the Sterilization Process.
To become fully certified, you’ll also need 400 hours of hands-on experience as a sterile processing technician.
You can get this experience before taking the exam.
You may also choose to take the exam first.
If you pass the exam, you are given a provisional certification.
Then, you’ll have six months to get the 400 hours of required experience to become fully certified.
CBSPD
CBSPD also offers a sterile processing technician certification.
This is known as C.S.P.D.T, or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician.
To qualify for this exam, you’ll need to meet one of four requirements.
These requirements are:
- 12 months experience as a sterile processing technician
- 6 months as a sterile processing technician, and 6 months in a related allied health field
- 12 months of healthcare product sales related to sterile processing
- Completion of a sterile processing technician training program
Once you meet one of these requirements, you can take the certification exam.
The exam costs $128. The exam has 150 questions, with 125 being scored and 25 being unscored practice questions.
You’ll have 3 hours to take the exam and must get a score of 70 or better to pass.
Sterile Processing Technician Training Programs in Wisconsin
Waukesha County Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College, WCTC, offers a sterile processing technician certificate program.
You’ll earn 6 credits during this program.
You’ll take Digital Literacy Healthcare, which is 2 credits.
Then, you’ll take Principles of Sterile Processing, for 4 credits.
The program is hybrid which means you’ll take classes on campus and online.
The program takes just one semester to complete.
After you complete the program, you are eligible to take the CPCST exam after gaining the required 400 hours of experience.
Blackhawk Technical College
Blackhawk Technical College offers a technical diploma in sterile processing technician.
The program is 8 credits and takes two semesters to complete.
Many courses are offered both in person and online.
Some courses allow you to switch between online and in-person learning for each class you attend.
During the first semester, you’ll study Medical Terminology and Central Service Fundamentals.
The second semester consists of Central Services Clinical Practices, which gives you the hands-on experience you’ll need to get your CPCST certification.
You can also choose to continue your education and earn your associate’s degree in Surgical Technology.
Tuition is $1,315.
MedCerts
MedCerts offers an online sterile processing technician program.
The program lasts for 14 weeks.
You’ll spend 2 weeks studying Professionalism in Allied Health.
Then, you’ll study Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology and Sterile Processing for 6 weeks each.
The program costs $4,000 if paid in full upfront, but payment plans are also available.
Once you have completed the program, you’ll be ready to take the CPCST exam.
However, you’ll need 400 hours of hands-on experience to get your full certification.
University of Wisconsin Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin Whitewater offers an online self-paced sterile processing technician training program.
Once you begin the program, you’ll have 12 months to complete it.
The program has two courses, Medical Terminology and Sterile Processing Technician.
You’ll learn the medical terminology associated with different systems of the body, and terminology of Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Pharmacology.
You’ll also learn Decontamination and Workplace Safety, Tray Assembly, Prep and Pack, and Sterile Storage.
Once you complete the program, you’ll be prepared to take the HSPA CRCST exam.
However, you’ll need 400 hours of hands-on experience for full certification.
4 Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Wisconsin
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Waukesha County Technical College | 800 Main St, Pewaukee, WI 53072, United States |
| Blackhawk Technical College | 6004 S County Rd G, Janesville, WI 53546, USA |
| MedCerts | 13955 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48154, US |
| University of Wisconsin Whitewater | 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190, United States |
Salary
The average salary for a sterile processing technician in Wisconsin is $39,165.
Most salaries range from $35,022 to $44,144.
However, salaries can be as low as $31,251 or as high as $48,677.
How much you can earn will depend on your experience, education, certification, and location.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Allenton | $39,085 |
| Albany | $38,610 |
| Belleville | $38,887 |
| Cedar Grove | $39,085 |
| Burlington | $38,649 |
| Dorchester | $36,985 |
| Florence | $37,500 |
| Columbus | $38,729 |
| Green Bay | $37,817 |
| Hillsboro | $36,985 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WI | 60 | $43,810 | $21.06 | $56,450 | $36,070 |
| Green Bay, WI | 90 | $42,520 | $20.44 | $48,280 | $35,810 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 30 | $41,150 | $19.79 | $51,770 | $34,100 |
| Madison, WI | 220 | $50,400 | $24.23 | $64,090 | $37,450 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 400 | $44,860 | $21.57 | $51,320 | $36,100 |
| Wausau, WI | 30 | $43,110 | $20.73 | $54,540 | $37,250 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills do I need to be a sterile processing technician in Wisconsin?
To be a sterile processing technician in Wisconsin, you’ll need strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
It’s also important to have good communication and computer literacy skills.
Physically, you’ll need to be able to stand for long periods and lift heavy objects.
Are sterile processing technicians in demand in Wisconsin?
Yes.
Sterile processing technician positions are expected to grow by 6% over the next several years, which is about average.
As the population continues to age, you can expect the demand for sterile processing technicians to continue to grow.
Is it worth it to become a sterile processing technician in Wisconsin?
Yes.
If you are interested in a job within the healthcare field that doesn’t require you to interact directly with patients, you should consider being a sterile processing technician.
You can begin your career within one year, and the job outlook provides good job security.
