Sterile Processing

Sterile Processing

Sterile Processing students at MCC practice identifying, handling, and caring for surgical instruments—essential skills for hospital safety and infection control. Photo: MCC Team

Skilled Sterile Processing Technicians play a vital role in every successful surgery—ensuring surgical tools are sterile, safe, and ready. At MCC, you can train for this essential healthcare career in just 40 weeks. Our comprehensive Sterile Processing program combines hybrid online lectures with hands-on lab experience in instrument sterilization, infection control, and more—preparing you to enter the field in under a year.

Watch MCC Sterile Processing Technician students in action as they train with real equipment and instruments in our on-campus lab. Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more behind-the-scenes training moments and program updates.

What Does a Sterile Processing Technician Do?

Sterile Processing Technicians are responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, assembling, and distributing surgical instruments and medical equipment used in patient care. Their role is essential for infection control and operating room safety.

These technicians follow rigorous protocols to ensure that all instruments are properly decontaminated, inspected for defects, and wrapped for safe use in medical procedures. They also maintain sterilization records, monitor supply inventory, and deliver prepared instrument trays to hospital departments.

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitoring and operating autoclaves and other sterilization equipment
• Sterilizing, preparing, and organizing equipment into instrument trays for surgical and medical use
• Delivering sterile equipment to surgical teams, exam rooms, and procedure areas
• Documenting sterilization cycles, equipment maintenance, and supply usage

Program Objectives

MCC’s Sterile Processing Technician program presents advanced concepts and principles for developing the skills and competencies required for infection prevention and control in sterile processing departments within healthcare facilities.

The program covers essential knowledge in cleaning, disinfecting, decontamination, sterilization, standard precautions, and universal precautions. It also introduces students to hemostasis, packaging, distribution, storage, and inventory control of sterile goods, surgical instruments, trays, and equipment.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam offered by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).

Career Outlook

Sterile Processing Technician is designated a “Bright Outlook” career by
My Next Move, a resource powered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

According to projections from
O*NET Online, employment in this field is expected to grow 6–8% between 2023 and 2033, making it a stable, in-demand career path in the healthcare industry.

Disclosures

• Consumer Information – Midwestern Career College
  
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Equipment Preparers (31-9093)
  
• O*NET Online – Occupational Data and Career Outlook
  
• Tuition and Fees – Midwestern Career College
  

More on sterile processing

• Sterile Processing
  • Become a Sterile Processing Technician
  • About the Sterile Processing Career

About Midwestern Career College

Midwestern Career College (MCC) is a career-focused institution of higher education offering degree and certificate-level programs in Allied Health, Business, and Information Technology. Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE), MCC prepares students for in-demand fields through hands-on, skills-based training. Established in 2004, MCC has six campuses across Illinois and Ohio, including two locations in Downtown Chicago (LaSalle Campus and Wacker Drive Campus), and campus locations in Evergreen Park, Naperville, Cleveland, and Columbus.

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