What You'll Do

  • Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
  • Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
  • Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
  • Record sterilizer test results.
  • Disinfect and sterilize equipment, such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment, using sterilizers, aerators, or washers.
  • Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
  • Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
  • Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
  • Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
  • Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.

Essential Skills

Critical Thinking 3.5/5
Monitoring 3.38/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.38/5
Active Listening 3.25/5
Operations Monitoring 3.25/5
Reading Comprehension 3.12/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Troubleshooting 3.12/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cooperation, Independence, Stress Tolerance

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.75/5
Oral Comprehension 3.62/5
Oral Expression 3.25/5
Written Expression 3.25/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.25/5
Information Ordering 3.25/5
Perceptual Speed 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

Calendar software Database software eClinicalWorks EHR software Email software Inventory tracking software Kronos Workforce Timekeeper McKesson ANSOS One-Staff MEDITECH software MEDITECH Supply Chain Management Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft SharePoint Server Microsoft Word Pyxis MedStation software Spreadsheet software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.71/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.59/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.46/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.43/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.37/5)

Want to see how YOUR work style matches this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

Similar Careers to Explore

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

99.4% similar profile

Geothermal Technicians

99.4% similar profile

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

99.3% similar profile

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

99.3% similar profile

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

99.3% similar profile

Chemical Plant and System Operators

99.3% similar profile

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

99.2% similar profile

Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers

99.2% similar profile

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

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 Instrument Technician Instrumentation Technician (Instrumentation Tech) Laboratory Equipment Cleaner Material Reprocessing Associate (MRA) Medical Equipment Preparer Medical Supply Technician Oxygen Equipment Preparer Process Technician (Process Tech) Processing Technician Reuse Technician Sterile Preparation Technician Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (SPD Tech) Sterile Processing Department Technician (SPD Technician) Sterile Processing Technician (Sterile Processing Tech) Sterile Processing Technologist Sterile Processor Sterile Technician Sterilization Specialist Sterilization Technician Sterilizer Supply Technician Surgery Technician (Surgery Tech) Surgical Instrument Technician (Surgical Instrument Tech) Surgical Sterile Processing Technician (Surgical Sterile Processing Tech) Surgical Technician Travel Sterile Processing Technician (Travel Sterile Processing Tech)