As many healthcare employers are well aware, there’s a nationwide shortage of Sterile Processing Technicians, which is only expected to become a bigger challenge.
Due to baby boomers’ aging, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that, through 2034, overall employment in healthcare occupations is going to increase at a much faster rate than all occupations on average. As the number of patients increases, it only makes sense that surgical sterilization needs are going to increase as well.
For example, the 2025 SPD State of the Industry survey found 65.84% of sterile processing professionals saw Staffing & Retention as a challenge they expect to emerge or escalate in importance, making it the top issue. Further speaking to the retention challenge, 71.11% of respondents said Pay & Benefits is a problem in sterile processing.
To meet staffing demands, healthcare employers need a new staffing pipeline for Sterile Processing Technicians. By providing online, on-demand certification training, MedCerts offers a cost-efficient, sustainable way to upskill existing employees into qualified Sterile Processing Technicians.
Student Uses MedCerts To Become a Sterile Processing Technician
Shandre’a, who goes by Dre’a, is a 22-year-old clinical lab assistant at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge, VA. Looking for career advancement opportunities, Dre’a became interested in sterile processing from watching TikTok videos. Through Sentara’s tuition assistance program, which supports employees pursuing continued education in healthcare, through Guild Education, she enrolled in the MedCerts Sterile Processing Technician program.
Opening Training Up To A Wider Pool Of Potential Applicants
One advantage for Dre’a in using MedCerts for certification training was the asynchronous training. She explains, “It was online, so I could do it at my own pace. There wasn’t really anyone rushing me to get it done.”
“I would just have to designate at least a certain amount of time throughout the day to just sit down and finish one lesson at least,” Dre’a said. “I would just section it up as much as you can so you don’t overwhelm yourself with everything else you have going on in your life.”
Dre’a is representative of many MedCerts students in that they’re studying for the job they want, while still performing the job they have. Factoring in family obligations and other life considerations, many students would be unable to commit to a Sterile Processing Technicians program without the flexibility to set their own learning schedule.
A Curriculum Emphasizing Professionalism
One thing that stood out to Dre’a as a pleasant surprise was the emphasis the MedCerts program put on teaching soft skills such as professionalism and expectation setting for proper workplace behavior.
“This first section that they had before they even taught you sterile processing or anything — was professionalism and being an allied healthcare person,” explains Dre’a. “I didn’t really expect that, because I’ve never seen something like that before in schooling. It’s really helpful for anyone who hasn’t been in healthcare before.”
MedCerts programs are designed to get learners job-ready, and understanding how to act in a healthcare workplace is an essential part of that process.
Successfully Training Sterile Processing Technicians
The additional components of the Sterile Processing Technician Program are an Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology course and a Sterile Processing course that, while it is learned at your own pace, takes on average 12 weeks combined to complete.
The curriculum familiarizes students with the language of medicine and medical terminology, including the integumentary, musculoskeletal, hematic, lymphatic and immune, and cardiovascular systems in the human body. Through video instruction, students also learn the necessary skills for sterile processing, including infection control and related cleaning techniques, decontamination, disinfection, inspection, packaging, and sterilization tasks for reusable basic and complex surgical instruments.
Once students complete their coursework, they’re ready to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam issued by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.
After graduating from the program, students speak to the role MedCerts played in getting them job-ready. For example, Kristee, who completed the MedCerts program, is now a sterile processing technician in Richmond, Virginia.
Of her experience, Kristee recalls, “I joined the MedCerts program not too long after being employed by Henrico Doctors’ Parham Hospital. Coming into Sterile Processing not really knowing much, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the knowledge I’ve gained. The program prepared me for the CRCST exam, and I passed my first try. I’m so excited to say I’m officially a sterile processing technician. The program has made me comfortable in my abilities to perform my job. I’m so glad I took the leap of faith because it helped move me to the next level of my career.”
Yamina, a sterile process technician in UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, added, “MedCerts helped me choose a career and prepared me for my future. They were very helpful and attentive. They got me right where I needed to be and guided me all the way to the finish line.”
Meanwhile, Caleb, a sterile processing technician at UF Health, Jacksonville, Florida, remembers MedCerts, “helped me with studying and understanding the process and knowledge of sterile processing.’
Flexibility Around On-Site Clinical Requirements
As a condition of CRCST certification, learners must complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a CS (Central Services) department within 6 months/180 days of passing their certification test.
Connecticut, Delaware, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee are states where Sterile Processing certification is a requirement, and any additional state-level requirements around hands-on experience are documented here.
The fact that passing CRCST certification and completion of 400 hours of hands-on experience don’t have to be completed in a specific order means healthcare employers can staff quality Sterile Processing Technicians even sooner. For example, Dre’a has been working as a Sterile Processing Technician for a few months now and is currently preparing to sit for her CRCST. The certification is important and mutually beneficial to workers and employers, but learners can provide coverage while completing their requirements.
Conclusion
Sterile Processing Technician certification is a win-win for employers and employees. For employees, upskilling provides them with an education pathway to a better career. For employers, certification leads to improved performance. For example, a MedCerts survey found 69.09% of healthcare employers said employees who received their certification through an online course perform at the same or higher level than healthcare professionals who didn’t learn online.
Working with MedCerts Partner Solutions on certification training provides a sustainable path forward for employers to address the Sterile Processing Technician shortage.
Want more information about how MedCerts Partner Solutions can help address the shortage of Sterile Processing Technicians? Contact us at [email protected].
