As a sterile processing technician, you will play a crucial role within hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
This training will help you learn how to properly sterilize and prepare medical instruments.
You will have to do some research to understand the expectations and responsibilities that go along with being this kind of technician.
This guide should help you get started.
Page Navigation
- Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in North Carolina
- Sterile Processing Technician Schools in North Carolina
- Sterile Processing Technician Schools in North Carolina – Summary Table
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there certain requirements to work as a sterile processing tech in North Carolina?
- Are there a lot of jobs in the sterile processing technician field?
- Where can you work in the state of North Carolina as a sterile processing tech?
- How can I maintain certification as a sterile processing tech in North Carolina?
Steps to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in North Carolina
- It’s necessary that you get your high school diploma or that you pass a GED program before you’re able to apply to become a sterile processing technician in North Carolina.
- Register to attend a school or training program for a certificate in sterile processing technician. There are several places that offer these programs that will prepare you for certification.
- It’s helpful to receive certification in the field from a professionally recognized association/organization, even though it’s not required in the state of North Carolina.
- Seek gainful employment in the field, whether it’s as a sterile processing technician or a related career for which you have received training.
- Maintain your certification or advance your career through continuing education programs. The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution is in place to make sure training programs meet requirements across the United States, including North Carolina.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in North Carolina
Durham Tech
This non-credit program is short term and it prepares you to take the Certification for Health Care Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician exam.
You’ll learn about the distribution of supplies, instruments, and equipment.
You’ll also learn about sterilization and disinfection techniques used in the workplace.
You’ll be required to take part in a daytime clinical session.
The cost for this program at this time is $477.
Contact Information
- Address: Main Campus – 1637 East Lawson Street Durham, NC 27703
- Phone: 919-536-7200
- Website: Central Sterile Processing (Non-credit) | Durham Technical Community College
Davidson-Davie Community College
The Central Sterile Processing Technician program must be taken in person and it takes one semester to complete.
You’ll take courses adding up to a total of 16 credit hours in the Fall or Spring semester at the Davie campus.
The courses prepare you to properly disinfect, process, prepare, store, and distribute medical tools and equipment.
The whole program costs $1,216 for tuition and the fees are about $386 at this time.
Contact Information
- Address: 1205 Salisbury Road Mocksville, NC
- Phone: 336-751-2885
- Website: Central Sterile Processing – Davidson-Davie Community College (davidsondavie.edu)
Wake Tech Community College
The Central Sterile Processing Technician course combines in-person and online instruction over 112 credit hours that you can complete in three months or less.
After you are done with the program, you can take an exam from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution.
In this course, you’ll learn Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Sterilization, Decontamination, and Infection Control, among other things.
The price for the course is $198.
Contact Information
- Address: Perry Health Sciences Campus – 2901 Holston Lane Raleigh, North Carolina
- Phone: 919-747-0400
- Website: Central Sterile Processing Technician | Wake Tech
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in North Carolina – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in North Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Durham Tech | 1637 East Lawson Street Durham, NC 27703 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | 1205 Salisbury Road Mocksville, NC |
| Wake Tech Community College | 2901 Holston Lane Raleigh, North Carolina |
Salary
The annual salary for the average person working as a sterile processing technician in North Carolina at this time is $43,780.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians in North Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $37,290 |
| Raleigh | $37,200 |
| Greensboro | $36,480 |
| Durham | $36,980 |
| Winston-Salem | $36,600 |
| Fayetteville | $35,020 |
| Cary | $37,200 |
| High Point | $36,690 |
| Wilmington | $35,160 |
| Asheville | $35,090 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 100 | $38,940 | $18.72 | $45,620 | $32,850 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 440 | $41,070 | $19.75 | $49,740 | $33,520 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 40 | $36,270 | $17.44 | $47,230 | $26,930 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 120 | $39,600 | $19.04 | $47,690 | $35,580 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 40 | $35,510 | $17.07 | $50,800 | $28,580 |
| Raleigh, NC | 330 | $40,740 | $19.59 | $47,570 | $33,570 |
| Wilmington, NC | 90 | $36,560 | $17.58 | $45,430 | $29,840 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 270 | $40,400 | $19.42 | $50,440 | $33,800 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there certain requirements to work as a sterile processing tech in North Carolina?
Sterile processing technicians don’t have to get a license to work in North Carolina.
There’s also no state-wide board for the oversight of this profession in the state.
However, you’ll almost certainly be supervised by a licensed professional.
Are there a lot of jobs in the sterile processing technician field?
There are plenty of job opportunities as a sterile processing tech in North Carolina.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mountain region of North Carolina is the non-metropolitan area with the highest employment rates for Medical Equipment Preparers.
Where can you work in the state of North Carolina as a sterile processing tech?
There are many places that hire sterile processing technicians in North Carolina, such as Mission Health, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and the Clorox Company.
Sterile processing techs often work in dentist’s offices, surgical centers, hospitals, and outpatient care centers.
How can I maintain certification as a sterile processing tech in North Carolina?
In order to maintain certification in this career field, you’ll need to meet requirements set forth by the North Carolina Association for Hospital Central Service Professionals.
You likely will need to take continuing education courses or training.
Be sure to talk to your employer or a representative from a professional organization to find out the best action to take.
