There are many jobs in the medical field and sterile processing is one of the jobs that are in high demand. A person will work behind the scenes and they will sterilize the medical equipment to reduce the spread of disease. A person will specialize in training in this field. Once they have completed the course requirement they can take the SPD Tech Exam to begin their career.
The SEPD Tech Exam will cover many technical and safety-related issues when it comes to sterilization. The exam will cover these and other topics that are learned in school. A person will learn how to properly clean and disinfect medical equipment that is used in surgeries and other medical procedures. A person will get the training they need to work in a hospital or other outpatient facility.
There are several duties that this technology will have. They include:
Decontamination
They will sterilize any medical devices that have been used in surgery or anything else that has been used to treat a patient. They will operate the equipment that is needed including automatic washers and inspect the quality of the equipment after it is cleaned.
Assembly
The technician will organize the items that have been cleaned and make sure they are placed in the correct area for the other medical professionals to access.
Storage
All of the trays that the instruments were placed on will need to be sanitized too. There is some record-keeping involved in this job. All of these items will need to be documented and accounted for.
Inspection
The technician will need to keep a record of the maintenance performed on the equipment. They will need to make sure it is running effectively and if not they will need to inform the administration. They will also need to safely remove waste including medical waste from this equipment.
Proper Distribution
A person will need to make sure the supplies do not go past any expiration dates and are not showing signs of wear. They will need to follow the schedule to pick up used equipment and make sure every department has clean equipment to use.
Essential Skills
A person will learn how to use special tools including gas and chemical sterilizers to make sure the equipment gets clean. They will need to wear safety gear as well. A person will be taught the computer software and tracking system to keep an accurate record of the medical equipment they are working with.
Medical Training
A person will need to learn some medical aspects of the job as well. They will need to learn the names of the equipment as well as medical terminology that is used. They will need to study anatomy as well as take courses in microbiology. All technicians will need to complete training in infection control and be aware of any signs of an infection. They will need to learn how different medical tools work and how to handle them with care.
Length of Training
Most programs can be completed within nine months. Some programs that are done in house by a healthcare center may last as little as three months. After this time they will be ready for the SPD tech exam.
When a person can complete their schooling including a hands-on portion to this job, they will need to take the exam. The exam will make sure a person has the knowledge need to complete this job safely. Once a person has passed the exam they can find employment in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.