How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Maine

Have you always wanted to work in the healthcare industry but didn’t know where to start?

In that case, you may consider becoming a sterile processing technician.

At a glance, sterile processing technicians sterilize, decontaminate, and store medical equipment.

Of course, there are other tasks you will need to complete.

As part of your job, you will get to help nurses and doctors and ease their workload.

But, how can you get work as a sterile processing technician in Maine?

Sterile Processing Technician Job Duties and Skills in Maine

Maine, like any other state, has some rules and regulations you have to learn about.

Additionally, you need to develop some skills that will help you on the job.

So, what are the tasks you need to finish on a daily basis?

These include:

• Performing inventory checks
• Managing and keeping track of the spread of illness and infection
• Cleaning, sterilizing, packaging, and storing medical tools
• Maintaining and fixing medical equipment
• Following protocol and specific methods for suitable disinfection and sterilization of medical tools and equipment

You should also have some additional skills, such as:

• Good organizational skills
• An ability to find and solve common problems related to the position
• Knowledge of the medical terminology
• A good understanding of aseptic techniques

There are some employers who might adjust the job duties, but not by much.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Maine

While in some jurisdictions getting a certification is a requirement, this is not the case in Maine.

Technically, you can start working without a certification.

In practice, however, employers strongly prefer candidates who do have a certification.

This is because you will already have the experience and training needed to do your job.

So, the best thing you can do is get a certification which is achieved by passing an exam.

The exam lasts for 3 hours.

You can take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) test provided through the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Management (IAHCSMM).

Passing the exam in Maine gives you the chance to become a CRCST.

To become a CRCST, you also need:

• Lab experience of about 400 hours
• Submit a fee
• Obtain a high school diploma or a GED
• Pass a background check and pass some drug tests
• Pass the licensing exam

The sterile processing technician assistant certification should be renewed once a year.

For that, you might also need to update your training.

Another choice is to become a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT).

You can do that by passing the Sterile Processing Department Technician Certification (SPDTC) test through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).

Training Programs for Sterile Processing Technicians in Maine

Training to become a certified sterile processing tech is easiest completed in a school.

The school should have a reliable sterile processing tech program that prepares you for the licensing exam.

In Maine, there aren’t any schools that focus on sterile processing techs in particular.

Southern Maine Community College

However, you can still attend a technology program offered by Southern Maine Community College.

This college also provides hands-on training at Maine Medical Center.

An alternative could be attending an online college.

This could be a good idea for students who already have a job and need flexibility.

The available online schools that provide programs are:

Purdue University

While located in Indiana, this school is a great option for students from Maine too.

This university received accreditation from Higher Learning Commission and offers an online sterile processing tech program.

The program is affordable and will prepare you for the national certification exam.

Some of the topics you will learn in class are:

• Medical terminology
• Sterilization processes
• Packaging and storing of sterile medical tools
• Disinfection
• Surgical instrumentation
• Patient care equipment management

Penn Foster College

This college provides a sterile processing tech program with flexible hours and that will cover all the needed topics.

These topics include:

• Principles of the aseptic technique
• Medical terminology
• Blood-borne pathogens
• HIPPA requirements

Once you complete the program, you will get a diploma.

Sterile Processing Technician Salaries in Maine

So now that you got your certification, all that is left to do is start applying for a job.

You can easily work for healthcare facilities like:

• Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Doctors’ offices
• Clinics
• Dentist practices

Salaries for sterile processing techs in Main have a median of $44,000 a year and $22 an hour.

You can also advance in your career once you have some experience as an entry-level.

This will help you earn more and even branch out into other areas of the medical industry.

Furthermore, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, sterile processing technician jobs are expected to grow by 6 percent in the following years.

The most important thing is attending a course and getting certified, after which you can start a successful career.

Sterile Processing Technician by State