Are you looking to become a Sterile Processing Technician but worried about the time and cost involved? You’re in the right place! With Preppy’s revolutionary approach, it’s possible to become a sterile processing technician in under six months, without breaking the bank, accumulating student debt, or enrolling in traditional college programs. So here’s how you can fast-track your career and get job-ready in the medical field in no time.
Why Become a Sterile Processing Technician?
Sterile processing technicians play a vital role in healthcare by ensuring that surgical instruments and medical equipment are sterilized and ready for use. Their work is essential in maintaining a sterile environment, preventing infections, and ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare professionals. With the growing demand for skilled technicians, this career path offers job security and numerous opportunities for advancement.
Key Requirements for a Sterile Processing Technician Career
Before we dive into how you could achieve certification in under six months, let’s outline the three essential requirements most employers look for when hiring sterile processing technicians.
1. Formal Education
Having formal training sets the foundation for your career. Employers seek professionals who have undergone accredited sterile processing education. SO training from a recognized institution shows that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the role. A sterile processing certificate from a reputable program can tip the scales in your favor during job applications.
2. Certification
Certification is critical to establishing your credibility as a sterile processing technician. In fact, the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification, issued by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), is the most widely accepted credential in the United States. Additionally, passing the CRCST exam is often a requirement for starting towards your career, and your training should ideally prepare you for this exam.
3. Hands-On Clinical Experience
Clinical experience is crucial in healthcare roles. Hospitals and healthcare facilities tend to prefer sterile processing techs who have hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Having this on your resume can be a significant advantage when seeking employment.
The Challenges of Traditional Education Pathways
Traditional pathways to becoming a sterile processing technician typically involve enrolling in a college program, which can present a number of challenges:
- High Tuition Costs: Tuition fees for college programs can go as high as $25,000, leading many students to take on substantial debt.
- Time Commitment: College programs can take up to two years to complete, which might not be ideal if you want to fast-track your entry into the workforce.
- Rigid Schedules: Juggling family, work, and other responsibilities can make it difficult for busy adults to attend classes on a fixed schedule.
- Limited Availability: Despite the rising demand for sterile processing techs, very few colleges offer formal training in this field (According to recent data from the BLS http://bls.gov).
The Preppy Approach: Fast-Track Your Career
Recognizing the challenges of traditional education, Preppy has developed a revolutionary training approach designed to help you start towards your career as a sterile processing technician quickly and affordably. So here’s how the Preppy approach stands out:
100% Online and Self-Paced
With Preppy, there’s no need to attend in-person classes or follow a rigid schedule. The program is entirely online, allowing you to complete your training from the comfort of your home. Whether you prefer learning at night on the couch or during your coffee break at work, Preppy’s flexible format allows you to learn at your own pace.
The sterile processing online training is beginner-friendly and includes interactive slides, presentations, videos, and quizzes to make learning engaging and effective.
Accredited University Partnership
Upon completing Preppy’s sterile processing technician certification program, you will receive a certificate of completion from a top-ranked, nonprofit accredited university. Having a university certificate can be a significant boost to your resume and help you stand out when applying for jobs.
Self-Paced Training That Could Be Completed in Under 6 Months
Traditional programs take years, but with Preppy’s self-paced curriculum, you could complete the course in as little as four months. You also have full access to the program for a year, which means you can revisit lessons as needed and take the time to truly master the material. If life happens and you need to take a break from studying, you can easily pick up where you left off.
CRCST Certification Preparation
The Preppy course prepares you for the CRCST certification exam, the gold standard for sterile processing technicians. In fact, passing this exam certifies that you meet industry standards and are equipped to handle the responsibilities of a sterile processing tech. So, having the CRCST certification gives you a competitive edge in the job market, demonstrating that you’ve met rigorous national standards.
Hands-On Clinical Externship Opportunities
One of the unique benefits of Preppy’s program is the inclusion of an externship opportunity. Through Preppy, you’ll be placed at a local hospital or healthcare facility where you can gain valuable hands-on experience. Also, this clinical experience is a crucial part of your training, helping you become familiar with a real healthcare environment and giving you practical skills to complement your formal education.
Preppy offers externship opportunities nationwide and assists in coordinating placements regardless of where you live in the U.S.
Job Placement Assistance
Once you’ve completed the Preppy program, you’ll be eligible for job placement assistance. Preppy’s partners actively seek candidates to fill sterile processing technician roles, and with the job placement assistance, you’ll have direct access to these opportunities. Preppy helps connect qualified graduates with employers, reducing the time it takes to land your first job.
Insanely Affordable Training Without Hidden Costs
One of the most compelling aspects of Preppy’s sterile processing technician program is its affordability. You’ll gain access to all the program’s features—including certification preparation, externship opportunities, and job placement assistance—at a fraction of the cost of traditional college programs. Plus, there are no hidden fees or additional costs. So you can even enroll with a payment plan, making it accessible to virtually anyone.
Bonus: Free Laptop
For a limited time, Preppy is offering a free laptop to students who enroll in the program. This laptop is yours to keep once you complete the program, further reducing the need for upfront expenses.
Take the First Step Toward Your Dream Career
Preppy has removed the barriers associated with traditional education, offering a faster, more affordable, and more flexible pathway to becoming a sterile processing technician. Also with 100% online training, a university certificate, preparation for the CRCST certification exam, externship opportunities, and job placement assistance, Preppy equips you with everything you need to succeed in your new career.
Also read: 4-Week Medical Assistant Program Online
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, whose work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
Time is money. Instead of programs that could take 2 years, Preppy provides you with education in a few months through immersive online training.
Healthcare, IT, Business, Trades…Preppy gets you ready for the trending careers in our modern economy.
Our team of higher education and startup veterans has created the best solution so everyone can obtain the emerging careers of today and tomorrow.
We look forward to speaking with you. You may also call 800-729-1317.
