18 Pros and Cons of Being a Sterile Processing Technician

The healthcare industry relies heavily on sterile processing technicians, who are essential in ensuring the streamlined operation of medical facilities and patient safety.

The primary responsibilities of a sterile processing technician include the maintenance, sterilization, and cleaning of medical instruments in surgical centers, clinics, and hospitals.

Understanding the extensive responsibilities of this career path, including the pros and cons, can help you make an informed career decision.

Keep reading to learn more about being a sterile processing technician!

Pros of Being a Sterile Processing Technician

There are countless advantages to becoming a sterile processing technician, including:

1. Accommodating Working Hours

Hospitals, dentists’ offices, and medical centers require all equipment to be sanitized for immediate use at any time.

Larger medical centers have morning, evening, and overnight shifts to accommodate patient and employee schedules.

Whether you are a night owl or a morning bird, you can find a shift that matches your lifestyle and preferences.

If you become a contract sterile processing technician, the hours can be even more flexible.

2. Constantly Being Challenged

This position is not stationary as you will need to move around the building or campus to gather, sterilize, clean, and deliver required equipment to different locations.

If you enjoy walking and exercising, then this is a great way to reach your fitness goals.

As a result of constantly moving, the days fly by quickly, and no two days are ever the same.

3. Earn a Cost-Effective Certification

Sterile processing technicians have the option to become certified, which is inexpensive.

Certified offers a wealth of benefits, such as advancing your career, expanding your knowledge in the field, and differentiating you when searching for a job.

The certification is a single fee, with re-certification required every five years.

Many other certifications require a yearly renewal, which can be an expensive endeavor.

4. Endless Career Opportunities

When entering this field, the sky is the limit regarding your career opportunities.

With the right attitude and career aspirations, you can quickly advance into a management or supervisory role.

In addition to more responsibility and pay, advancing within the field delivers an in-depth view of other opportunities within the healthcare community.

For instance, many sterile processing technicians move into endoscope technicians, surgical technicians, or more advanced roles with additional education.

5. Fantastic Entry-Level Position

If you’ve always wanted to enter the medical field without the medical school cost and time commitment, then becoming a sterilization technician is a great option.

Educational programs in the field only require a high school diploma, so being accepted is a lot more straightforward compared to a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.

Also, many certification organizations exist to expand your knowledge before and after finding a job.

6. Find Solutions to Different Problems

Since each day is entirely different, sterile processing technicians are presented with various challenges throughout the day, which range from equipment shortages to prioritizing sterilization.

Within this role, you will quickly develop problem-solving skills that will make you a more effective employee and allow you to think on your feet.

Excellent problem-solving skills are a helpful trait for mastering your craft or advancing to the next level within the medical community.

7. Flexible Team Structures

Depending on the healthcare facility size, you may collaborate with a team of other technicians or alone.

In both instances, you must collaborate with multiple other medical personnel which is considered one of the most important roles in the organization.

Without proper sterilization and equipment inventory, no medical professional can successfully perform their role.

8. Highly Rewarding Career

Although sterile processing technicians rarely interact with patients, they play a critical behind-the-scenes role within the medical community.

Ensuring diseases and germs are not spread and tracking all equipment and tools results in excellent patient experiences during and after successful surgery.

Equipment sterilization and inventory are crucial aspects of any medical procedure, ranging from an x-ray to extensive surgery.

9. Robust Workforce

Since the Baby Boomer Generation is aging, there has been a spike in chronic conditions, which has made the medical industry one of the fastest growing in the United States.

The area is expected to grow by 20 percent over the next five years.

Also, since all medical facilities need sterile technicians to ensure instruments are clean and ready to use, continuous work within the field is readily available with a high future demand.

10. Work in Different Medical Facilities

Since the sterile processing technician role is essential to every medical community, these professionals can work in all medical facilities, not just hospitals.

These include specialty clinics, surgical centers, doctors’ offices, and dental offices.

All medical facilities can easily transfer germs, bacteria, and diseases between patients, so having an in-house sterile processing technician can ensure the equipment is sanitized according to procedures and requirements.

Cons of Being a Sterile Processing Technician

Although the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, it’s important to understand the downsides of the position.

1. Burnout Can Occur

Although sterile processing technicians don’t have a stressful position, they do succumb to high workloads, which leads to burnout.

Busy hospitals often require sterile technicians to work overtime due to staff shortages and the volume of equipment that requires maintenance and sterilization.

A high workload also interferes with maintaining a solid work-life balance and personal commitments.

For those starting their career in the role, not having well-developed decision-making or problem-solving skills could add to the burnout by always second-guessing their decisions.

2. Educational Requirement

Although the training required to become a sterile processing technician is minimal, you must put forth engagement and focus for around up to two years, depending on the degree you wish to achieve.

This can be challenging for those with other commitments.

Even in a hybrid learning model, students are required to complete clinical and lab work to fulfill all program requirements.

Entering a training program also costs thousands of dollars depending on the diploma, program, school, and location.

3. Exposure to Disease

One of the greatest disadvantages is you are exposed to disease and bacteria every day.

Even with the proper protective equipment, there is always a risk of contracting diseases or simply catching a cold.

A misstep in the sterilization and maintenance process or a rip in the protective gear can result in exposure to bacteria, which can be taken home and transferred to family and friends.

This is an important point to digest before signing up for the programs.

4. Extensive Pressure

Although the stress level is not high among sterile processing professionals, there is a tremendous amount of pressure to follow strict procedures and processes.

If one step is missed, then a life could be on the line.

For instance, improper sterilization could result in a fatal infection after surgery.

For this reason, it’s crucial to maintain exceptional attention to detail and follow all required guidelines.

While this is the case with most medical positions, it’s especially important in this role.

5. Non-Compliant Storage Systems

Smaller hospital facilities and medical centers may not have the big budget of larger locations.

Therefore, sterile technicians must manage instrument storage with limited resources.

This is one point that could cause anxiety and stress, which could lead to burnout.

Since medical facilities continue to advance, the total number of required tools has increased.

Sterile storage areas are often overlooked, leaving those running the area to work with the resources and space they have.

6. Physically Demanding

Sterile processing technicians must stand for long periods, which can lead to physical exhaustion during and by the end of the shift.

Performing repetitive motions and handling heavy equipment can also contribute to physical strain and require a moderate level of fitness.

These demands are further compounded by attention to detail during lengthy shifts.

These points are exacerbated when working extended overtime hours.

7. Poor Quality Instrument Repair

Similar to lacking storage space, many facilities don’t have the budget to support surgical instrument repair.

Therefore, sterilization experts must repair the instruments with available tools.

This often results in subpar repairs, which could harm the patient or other staff.

Medical instruments must be held to the highest standards, so lacking access to the proper repair tools and inadequate methods can damage the facility’s reputation.

8. Support Profession

Many find not having to work directly with patients to be a major advantage.

For others who like patient interaction, sterile processing technician work is not the right path.

While you work with other medical professionals, you will rarely see the patient you saved by properly maintaining the equipment and ensuring it is sterile for different procedures.

Pros and Cons of Being a Sterile Processing Technician – Summary Table

Should you Become a Sterile Processing Technician?

Sterile processing technicians tend to be happy employees with plenty of work-life balance despite the several cons that come with the position.

Becoming a sterile processing technician is an excellent career choice if you enjoy working behind the scenes within the medical community.

Also, you will find problems with different solutions that arise throughout the day and build your decision-making skills.

These are great traits to have to help make your job more efficient or advance your career within the medical industry.

Becoming a sterile processing technician is an excellent entrance into the medical field with many professionals using the role as a stepping stone to other medical professions like surgical assistants or nurses.

Sources

https://www.exploremedicalcareers.com/sterile-processing-technician/pros-and-cons/

https://www.steriletechprograms.com/license-requirements-by-state/