In a busy hospital, it is essential to equip doctors, nurses and other caregivers with sterile, organized tools. A team of sterile processing technicians work together to make sure all the equipment is ready to go—from the medical instruments used during surgery to first aid supplies to equipment like beds and wheelchairs. Sterile processing technicians are the first line of defense against infections associated with health care.
As a sterile processing technician, you will play an essential role in ensuring that patient safety comes first. You’ll learn how to clean, organize, package, transport and store these tools using special procedures. Sterile processing technicians do not interact directly with patients, but do regularly interact with professional teams in health care settings like hospitals, surgical centers, specialty clinics, and dental clinics.
In one semester, you will get the training you need for an entry-level job as a sterile processing technician (also known as a medical equipment preparer or instrument technician). You will learn to use sterilizing equipment in our on-site lab. You will also get hands-on experience in a hospital setting through clinical training. And, you will be ready to get the work experience necessary to take the national certification exam.
You will learn from technicians who bring years of experience to the classroom and know exactly what you need to know to succeed on the job.
This is a limited enrollment health care program. For additional information, contact a health career advisor at healthcareeradvising@oakton.edu.
Certificate
Students will learn skills in accordance with the standards and guidelines recommended by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM). Upon successful completion of the program and the required work experience the graduate is eligible to take a national certification exam.
Submit admission documents, including transcripts (high school, college, AP, military) and proof of residency.
Complete the minimum requirements for admission.
Complete an interview. The application process must be completed prior to an interview.
Clinical placements require a health assessment, certain immunizations, yearly flu vaccine, criminal background check, specific skill certification (i.e., CPR). Clinical placements may require substance abuse testing and health insurance. These requirements represent an additional cost to the student.
What's Next?
We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.
The sterile processing technician field is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical equipment preparers (also known as sterile processing technicians) prepare, sterilize, install or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment and may perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
The national median annual wage is $41,480 per year.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
As your community college, we serve students from various backgrounds. We aim to make the application process as easy and as clear as possible for everyone.
We can help you get started on a degree or certificate. Applying to Oakton is fast and easy.
Your first step before you begin your studies is filling out an admission application and completing your enrollment process.
Embry Alvarez Sterile Processing Supervisor Northshore University Health System
Gus Granchalek VP of Perioperative Services and Anesthesia Northshore University Health System
Donielle Horn Sterile Processing Manager Northshore University Health System
Courtney Mace Davis Director of Sterile Processing Northshore University Health System
Caryn Moore Manager of High Level & Sterilization Operations Northshore University Health Systems
Shary Williams Sterile Processing Manager Northshore University Health System
Kathy Zagorscak Recruiter for Sterile Processing Northshore University Health System
Ex-Officio Members:
May Alimboyoguen Assistant Dean of Health Careers Oakton College
Donna Dickson Coordinator of Sterile Processing Oakton College
Davita Webb Adjunct Faculty in Health Information Technology Oakton College
Kristin Whitehead Adjunct Faculty in Sterile Processing Oakton College
Ruth Williams Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Oakton College
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Frequently Asked Questions
Clinical placement requires a health assessment, certain immunizations, flu and COVID vaccination, criminal background check and health insurance. The requirements may represent additional costs to the student. Students who refuse a criminal background check will not be considered "clear" and will not be authorized to participate in the clinical component of the program, necessitating withdrawal from the program at that time. Individual results of student background check are considered confidential.
Yes. Our program is designed to meet the guidelines recommended by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Upon successful completion of the program and the required work experience the graduate is eligible to take a national certification exam.