When it comes to finding the right career path for you, it can be easy to get bogged down in the different career paths that you might pursue.
Sterile processing technician is a great career that is interesting, pays well, and has plenty of options for growth and upward movement.
There are specific guidelines for each state if you want to become a sterile processing tech, and we want to help you find out how to follow this career path if you live in Michigan.
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Steps to Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Michigan
The main thing that you need to do in order to become a paid sterile processing technician in the state of Michigan is to make sure that you have completed the courses that are approved by the state.
The state requirements for a sterile processing technician are as follows:
- Completion of an approved program
- Sitting for the national exam to get your preliminary certification
- 400 hours of work, for pay or as a volunteer, with the Central Service Department
The coursework for this program includes things like, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, infection control, HIPPA privacy, sterilization, medical terminology and more.
The idea is that this program is going to prepare you for nearly anything that you might need to do in order to be able to be a sterile processing tech.
It is helpful to know a bit about what a sterile processing tech does in order to understand what these requirements are.
A sterile processing tech is a professional that sterilizes, cleans, processes, assembles, stores, and distributes medical supplies.
These professionals can work in hospitals, doctors offices, clinics, and even in veterinary offices.
The main goal of this type of work is to help prevent infection and prevent the spread of infection.
These professionals might also be referred to as central service technicians and they are a crucial part of any medical environment.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Michigan
There are a few schools for this type of certification that you might be interested in attending:
Michigan Healthcare Academy
This school offers the program for a cost of $3800 total with a downpayment of $2,500 at the start.
You are also going to be required to pay for your text books and for your final exam cost for certification.
You need to be able to speak and read English fluently, you need a high school diploma, need to be at least 18 years of age, and you also need to be able to attend all classes.
Oakland Community College
Another great option is Oakland Community College.
This course does vary in price but since it is a community college, you can get some financial aid for the program.
The requirements for this program are that you are a US citizen, that you are 18 years or older, that you are not registered at any other school, and that you are able to speak and read English fluently.
They will help you get all your courses in order to take your exam.
Dorsey College
This is a private college that also offers the program.
They will help you to get all your classes in order to be able to qualify and sit for your certification exam.
There is financial aid available and you can also take part in a hybrid learning model so that you can learn in person and virtually as well.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Michigan – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in Michigan
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Michigan Healthcare Academy | 33 N River Rd, Mt Clemens, MI 48043, USA |
| Oakland Community College | 2900 Featherstone Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA |
| Dorsey College | 31739 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, USA |
Salary for a Sterile Processing Technician in the State of Michigan
The average salary of a sterile processing technician in Michigan is going to vary based on a few different factors.
The first is going to be years of experience.
If you have been a tech for a while you are going to make more than an entry-level position.
The average salary for a sterile processing technician in Michigan is about $33,500 a year.
You can make anywhere from $18,500 all the way up to $47,000.
Another factor that does affect how much you can make is where you are employed.
You are going to make more working in a hospital than you might make working in a clinic or a doctor’s office.
You can also make bonuses if your employer offers them and more.
Salary is going to vary depending on how long you have been in the business, how much experience you have, and also to what school you went to and any other certifications that you might have that might make you a bit more desirable to employers.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in Michigan
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $38,590 |
| Grand Rapids | $37,010 |
| Warren | $38,590 |
| Flint | $35,580 |
| Sterling Heights | $38,470 |
| Lansing | $36,950 |
| Ann Arbor | $39,380 |
| Livonia | $38,470 |
| Dearborn | $38,590 |
| Westland | $38,840 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 250 | $41,930 | $20.16 | $46,600 | $35,470 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,080 | $42,040 | $20.21 | $51,720 | $34,950 |
| Flint, MI | 80 | $40,960 | $19.69 | $49,350 | $28,380 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 270 | $39,710 | $19.09 | $48,070 | $32,130 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 70 | $39,230 | $18.86 | $50,180 | $33,030 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 110 | $41,140 | $19.78 | $50,390 | $30,930 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 40 | $37,350 | $17.96 | $47,220 | $28,920 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get your sterile processing technician certification in Michigan?
Depending on the program that you take, it can take anywhere from 10 weeks to two years to complete the program.
Most programs run for about five months.
You can find some programs that are accelerated that are a bit shorter.
Your main issue is that you do need to find a program that is accredited.
How do you keep up your certification as a sterile processing technician?
In order to keep up your certification and to ensure that you are able to practice, you do need to make sure that you are renewing your certification each year.
This will require that you do have continuing education credits to help ensure that you are up to date on new laws and regulations.
You also need to make sure you are paying your annual fees as well.
Where can sterile processing techs work?
A sterile processing technician can work in a huge range of places.
You can find work in hospitals, dentist offices, outpatient clinics, private doctors’ offices, and more.
You can also find both part-time and full-time work depending on where you are working and what your overall qualifications are.
What is the demand for sterile processing technicians?
The industry and the demand for sterile processing technicians have grown over the past few years and are expected to grow by 15% in the next few years.
