Keeping medical instruments sterile is paramount in healthcare. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that surgical site infections, which represent 20% of all healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), are a significant cause of mortality, morbidity, and prolonged hospitalization; they also increase healthcare costs by $3.3 billion each year.
Sterile processing technicians are on the front line of infection control in healthcare. They specialize in keeping medical instruments free of contaminants and work each day to minimize infection. What they do is critical to both protecting patients and enabling patients to achieve positive health outcomes.
If you’ve been considering enrolling in a sterile processing technician training program and joining this important field, Texas is a great place to launch your career. Learning how to become a sterile processing technician in Texas is the first step on the path to a fulfilling position in healthcare.
What Does an Sterile Processing Technician Do?
Sterile processing technicians keep instruments, supplies, and equipment sterile for all aspects of patient care and surgical interventions. They can work in various settings, such as hospitals, inpatient and outpatient facilities, physicians’ practices, and diagnostic centers.
Key Sterile Processing Technician Duties
On any given day, sterile processing technicians can be responsible for:
Conducting manual cleaning processes on instruments before sterilizing them
Sterilizing instruments using equipment such as autoclaves
Inspecting instruments for any defects
Preparing instrument trays
Ordering and distributing supplies for instrument cleaning and sterilization
Testing the performance of sterilization equipment and documenting the results of testing
Reporting issues related to instrument sterilization to appropriate medical staff
Important Sterile Processing Technician Skills
Becoming a sterile processing technician in Texas or any other state requires cultivating certain skills that can help you excel in the profession. For example, sterile processing technicians benefit from having strong skills in areas such as:
Instrument Sterilization Techniques: Good sterile processing technicians are proficient in various sterilization techniques, for example, methods that use steam or chemicals, to clean medical instruments.
Operation and Maintenance of Sterilization Equipment: Keeping sterilization equipment running properly and knowing how to clean and calibrate equipment are critical functions of a sterile processing technician.
Attention to Detail: Sterile processing technicians need to be able to detect small issues before they grow into larger issues. They need to constantly pay attention to details and ensure that they follow all steps in sterilization and infection control.
Communication and Teamwork: Because they interact with a wide variety of other healthcare professionals, sterile processing technicians benefit from having the ability to communicate clearly and collaborate with other members of a healthcare team.
Steps to Become an Sterile Processing Technician in Houston
To begin working as a sterile processing technician in Texas, an individual needs to satisfy certain requirements. The steps for becoming a sterile processing technician in Houston are outlined below.
1. Earn a High School Diploma or the Equivalent
Potential employers and sterile processing technician training programs typically require that aspiring sterile processing technicians have either a high school or a GED diploma.
2. Complete a Sterile Processing Technician Training Program
Sterile processing technician training programs offer students the opportunity to acquire the expertise and skills to work in the field. These programs span about 36 instructional weeks.
The courses that students in sterile processing technician training programs take are all relevant to working in the profession. For example, sterile processing technician courses at Fortis College Houston South and Fortis Institute Houston North cover topics such as:
Medical terminology
Anatomy and physiology
Surgical technology
Surgical applications and instrumentation
Disinfection and decontamination
Techniques for sterilization
Inventory management
In addition to coursework, students complete an externship during which they have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in applying their skills and expertise.
3. Obtain Certification
After completing a sterile processing technician training program, individuals can take a certification exam and obtain certification in their field. For example, students can earn Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). The state of Texas does not require sterile processing technicians to obtain a state license.
4. Start Working in an Entry-Level Position
When individuals are ready to begin working as sterile processing technicians, the training programs they attend typically offer career services in areas such as resume preparation, job interview preparation, and job placement assistance.
5. Consider Earning Additional Certifications
As sterile processing technicians continue to work in their profession, they have the option to earn additional certifications to enhance their credentials and qualify for more specific positions. For example, HSPA offers:
Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification, which demonstrates advanced expertise in medical instruments and instrument support services
Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) certification, which demonstrates expertise specifically related to sterilization and handling of endoscopes
Job Outlook for Sterile Processing Technicians in Houston
Several aspects of the Lone Star State can make choosing to become a sterile processing technician in Texas a good career move.
Texas employs a relatively high number of medical equipment preparers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas was the third-largest employer of medical equipment preparers among all U.S. states as of May 2023.
The number of healthcare jobs in Texas is growing. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has projected that jobs in the healthcare and social services sector in Texas will grow 23% by 2030.
The demand for healthcare in Texas is growing. As the Texas Hospital Association (THA) has noted, a growing Texas population, combined with increases in chronic illness and an aging population, will spur greater demand for healthcare in Texas.
Texas has the most hospitals in the country. In 2024, healthcare data analytics and intelligence firm Definitive Healthcare reported that Texas had 757 hospitals, more than any other state. Definitive Healthcare also reported that Texas had 760 ambulatory surgery centers, ranking it the second highest among U.S. states in that category.
Hospitals in Houston are particularly strong. Three hospitals in Houston were among the top 100 hospitals in the entire country, according to a 2024 study by Newsweek and Statista. The study ranked U.S. hospitals based on factors such as patient surveys, patient-to-doctor ratio, and hygiene.
Develop the Skills to Work as a Sterile Processing Technician in Houston
Becoming a sterile processing technician in Houston can be a great option for individuals who are looking for a healthcare career in which they have an opportunity to make a difference. Every day in Texas, sterile processing technicians keep patients safe and help ensure that patients can improve their health.
People who have an interest in working in this critical field can explore the sterile processing technician training programs at the Fortis College Houston South and Fortis Institute Houston North campuses. Encompassing classroom instruction, the chance to practice skills in lab environments, and real-world experience, the programs can put you on the track to an entry-level position. Start your journey toward a rewarding career in healthcare today.
Recommended Readings
7 Essential Sterile Processing Technician Skills
How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician
The Role of a Sterile Processing Technician