Have you ever considered working in a healthcare position but may be concerned with interacting will patients constantly?
Luckily, many healthcare supporting functions exist for those who want to help without direct interaction.
One such position is a sterile processing technician, which sterilizes and maintains surgical equipment between use.
Sterile equipment prevents and controls infection that helps treat patients back to good health.
There are several steps to follow, including training as a sterile processing technician.
Keep reading to learn more about becoming a sterile processing technician in Maine!
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Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Maine
One: Earn a High School Diploma
Although the State of Maine doesn’t require a high school diploma to become a sterile processing technician, this is a requirement for all training programs and employers.
If this is the career path you wish to take, start researching programs during the last year of high school so you can begin training immediately after graduation.
Two: Speak to an Adviser
Part of your research should be talking to an adviser about the program, requirements, and the school.
The timing commitment, accreditation, career services offerings, and internships are common questions to ask during your session.
Three: Enroll in a Program
Once set up at school, enroll in a sterile processing technician certificate program.
In addition to holding a high school diploma, most programs require a background check and drug test and meet a specific age limit.
Four: Become Certified
Once the program is complete, certification is the best next step.
While the State of Maine doesn’t require certification, it helps make you more marketable amongst potential employers.
The two largest national certification organizations include CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution) and IAHCSMM (International Association of Healthcare Central Service Management.
Both organizations offer certification testing, which, upon completion, shows potential employers that you possess the skills and knowledge required for the profession.
Five: Find a Job
After certification, you must find a job at a local hospital, dentist’s office, cosmetic surgery facility, or other surgical location.
More positions will be available for graduates if you’re in a larger city like Portland or Bangor.
Also, check with your school to see if they offer a job placement department.
Six: Continue Education
The sterile processing technician position is a stepping stone for many candidates seeking to advance within the medical community.
Many employees take advantage of the employer’s tuition reimbursement program and continue their education to become nurses, surgical assistants, dental assistants, and other medical roles.
While this is not a requirement, it helps to advance your career and salary.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Maine
Maine is a rural state in the northeast, with only a few cities with larger populations, so the number of schools offering sterile processing technician programs is limited compared to nearby major cities like Boston.
However, several schools that offer this training type include the following:
Eastern Maine Community College
About
Located in Bangor, students can enroll in a surgical technology program that earns them an associate science degree.
The training prepares students for the workforce with classroom lectures and an internship for firsthand experience.
Also, graduates will be knowledgeable enough to sit for one of the certification exams.
Programs/Courses
Students learn essential sterile processing technician topics, including aseptic techniques, medical terminology, surgical instruments, infection prevention, control, anatomy, and physiology.
Contact Info
For more admissions information, call 207-974-4680 or email admissions@emcc.edu.
Maine Medical Center
About
The Maine Medical Center surgical technology program in Portland requires a one-year time commitment and is divided into two semesters.
The school only offers full-time day classes, so those looking to go part-time or take some classes online should consider something other than this program.
Programs/Courses
The first semester consists of classroom lectures and laboratory training.
Lecture topics include medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, proper equipment storage and distribution, sterilization and decontamination techniques, infection control, and workplace skills.
The entire second semester is spent shadowing a professional at a medical facility in the operating room.
Contact Info
Students interested in the surgical technology program should contact the Department of Medical Education at 207-662-7060.
Southern Maine Community College
About
With locations in South Portland and Brunswick, Southern Maine Community College offers a 67-credit hour associate degree in surgical technology.
Since this program is an associate degree, the curriculum goes into greater detail beyond sterile processing technician topics.
Programs/Courses
This associate program’s sterile processing technician topics include infection control and prevention, proper equipment storage and sterilization, decontamination techniques, medical terminology, general workplace skills, and basic life support skills.
Contact Info
The admissions personnel at Southern Maine Community College can be reached by phone at 207-741-5800 or by emailing admissions@smccme.edu.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Maine – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in Maine
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Eastern Maine Community College | 354 Hogan Rd, Bangor, ME 04401, USA |
| Maine Medical Center | 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102, United States |
| Southern Maine Community College | 2 Fort Rd, South Portland, ME 04106, USA |
Salary
The median annual income of a sterile processing technician in the U.S. is $46,000, ranging from $36,000 to $60,000.
Comparatively, the median yearly income is $44,000, ranging from $35,000 to $58,000.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Maine
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $37,640 |
| Lewiston | $37,260 |
| Bangor | $34,880 |
| South Portland | $37,640 |
| Auburn | $37,260 |
| Brunswick | $37,310 |
| Biddeford | $37,470 |
| Sanford | $38,420 |
| Augusta | $35,880 |
| Scarborough | $37,640 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical time to earn a sterile processing technician degree in Maine?
Sterile processing technician degrees range from 42 weeks, in an accelerated program, to two years, in an associate degree program.
Sterile processing technician is a popular role because it’s a great entrance into the medical field with little education.
Is there a high demand for sterile processing technicians in Maine?
This program is in demand, with an expected growth of over 15% in the next five years.
In addition, as the massive Baby Boomer population ages, the medical industry continues growing rapidly to serve their needs.
Is there room for advancement in Maine's sterile processing technician profession?
Most sterile processing technicians begin in an entry-level role, but those with ambition can move into management within the department, work at specialized facilities with different medical equipment and instrumentation, or return to school and earn a different medical degree.
Is being a sterile processing technician in Maine a stressful job?
No, sterile processing technicians generally don’t have stressful jobs.
Although the position requires meeting high standards and managing a heavy workload, it’s less stressful than most other healthcare roles since patient interaction is minimal.
Some days equipment allocation decisions must be made, but most days have low stress.
