Celebrating Sterile Processing Week

As Sterile Processing Week falls Oct. 11-17 this year, Covelo Group would like to express appreciation for the thousands of sterile processing technicians (SPTs) across the U.S. who are protecting healthcare providers and patients from the spread of infection during the pandemic.

Properly-sterilized medical instruments are always crucially important in a healthcare setting. The SPTs who decontaminate this equipment are absolutely indispensable, especially when there’s an elevated risk of contagion.

SPTs possess a unique attention to detail that allows them to adhere to stringent sterilization procedures, day-in, and day-out. They are hard at work in every hospital, protecting patients and caregivers by following proper decontamination protocols with precision.

Thank you for your hard work to keep hospitals and patients safe!

Path to Sterile Processing Career

So, how do you become a sterile processing tech? Sterile processing is an ideal career choice for someone who is interested in healthcare, and is comfortable working behind the scenes, without patient interaction. SPTs enjoy a high level of independence in a predictable work environment, as well as the potential for evening or overnight shifts.

It’s also a career with room for advancement to supervisory roles within sterile processing, or growth to becoming a surgical tech or registered nurse. In fact, many SPTs attend nursing school to transition into a nursing career. Flexible shifts make balancing full-time sterile processing jobs with higher education a realistic and manageable goal.

Before applying for a position in sterile processing, you should obtain a license. To prepare for the licensure exam, seek out an accredited sterile processing education program in your area. Coursework will include sterilization methods, surgical terminology, infection control, anatomy microbiology, safety and risk control. These programs can often be completed in eight months or less.

Once you’ve completed your education program, you can sit for a sterile processing exam through either the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), or the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).[ii]

Join Covelo’s Sterile Processing Team

Covelo Group specializes in placing sterile processing techs, and other allied health professionals, in full-time positions at reputable healthcare facilities nationwide. From San Francisco to Washington, D.C., our hospital partners are seeking qualified SPTs to keep their facilities running smoothly and safely.

Whether you’re just starting out in the healthcare industry, or you’re looking for fresh opportunities to take your sterile processing career to the next level, Covelo can give you a foot in the door at some of the nation’s top hospitals.

Covelo employees enjoy competitive, weekly pay, and are eligible for health insurance benefits starting at 30 days of full-time employment. Visit our Jobs page to browse open sterile processing positions, and submit a brief application for immediate review.

You can reach our recruiting team by phone at (916) 646-3800. We’d love to hear from you today!