Also called:
Central Service Technician (CST), Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician), Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), Sterile Processing Technician (Sterile Processing Tech)
Medical equipment preparers sterilize laboratory and healthcare equipment. They use a machine called a steam autoclave to clean equipment to medical standards, and keep detailed records to ensure procedures are followed to the letter. These workers inspect equipment condition, organize surgical instrument trays, and keep sterile supplies in stock. They also disinfect equipment such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment. Medical equipment preparers wear protective equipment every day, as they are frequently exposed to contaminants, disease, or infection. Accuracy is extremely important in this field. Most positions require a high school diploma, though many in the field have a technical certificate.
What they do:
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
On the job, you would:
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.
Business
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
biology
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
keep your arm or hand steady
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Independence
Stress Tolerance
Integrity
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Data base user interface and query software
Database software
Microsoft SharePoint Server
Calendar and scheduling software
Calendar software
McKesson ANSOS One-Staff
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed