Sterile Processing students at MCC practice identifying, handling, and caring for surgical instruments. Photo: MCC
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.
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).
Sterile Processing in Practice: Instrument Handling and Sterilization
Sterile processing technicians are responsible for preparing, handling, and sterilizing surgical instruments used in clinical environments. This short clip shows MCC students practicing core techniques in instrument handling and sterilization—skills that directly support patient safety and surgical readiness.
Career Outlook
Sterile Processing Technician is designated a “Bright Outlook” career by My Next Move, a resource provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
According to projections from O*NET Online, employment in this field is expected to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, making it a stable, in-demand career path in the healthcare industry.
Projected Job Growth for Sterile Processing Technicians (2024–2034)
All Occupations
~3%
Sterile Processing
7%
Source: O*NET Online (31-9093.00) – U.S. Department of Labor data, 2024–2034.
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