Occupation

Medical Equipment Preparers

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.3 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

Also Known As: Aseptic Technician (Aseptic Tech), Bandage Maker, Central Processing Technician (CPT), Central Service Technician (CST), Central Sterile Processing Technician (Central Sterile Processing Tech), Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician), Central Sterile Technician (Central Sterile Tech), Central Sterilization Technician +33 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
  2. Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
  3. Record sterilizer test results.
  4. Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
  5. Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
  6. Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
  7. Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
  8. Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.
  9. Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
  10. Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
  11. Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Disinfect and sterilize equipment, such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment, using sterilizers, aerators, or washers.
  2. Purge wastes from equipment by connecting equipment to water sources and flushing water through systems.
  3. Deliver equipment to specified hospital locations or to patients' residences.
  4. Assist hospital staff with patient care duties, such as providing transportation or setting up traction.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Order medical supplies for healthcare facilities or laboratories.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
44%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
31%
Bachelor's Degree
15%
Some College Courses
4%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4%
Master's Degree
2%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software

Software (19)

  • Calendar software
  • Database software
  • Email software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • MEDITECH Supply Chain Management
  • McKesson ANSOS One-Staff
  • Microsoft SharePoint Server
  • Pyxis MedStation software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (35)

  • Aerators
  • Automatic dryers
  • Bar code scanners
  • Bowie Dick test packs
  • Chemical sterilization indicators
  • Cleaning or sterilizing scrubbing brushes
  • Computerized scope washers
  • Desktop computers
  • Equipment bar code readers
  • Ethylene oxide gas sterilizers
  • Gas sterilizers
  • Heat-sealer machines
  • Hot air sterilizers
  • Laboratory glass flasks
  • Medical examination protective gloves
  • Ozone sterilizers
  • Padded gloves
  • Paracetic acid sterilizers
  • Plasma gas sterilizers
  • Pressure regulation monitors
  • Pressure steam autoclaves
  • Prevacuum sterilizers
  • Protective caps
  • Protective ear plugs
  • Protective gowns
  • Protective masks
  • Protective medical aprons
  • Spore strips
  • Steam gravity sterilizers
  • Steam high vacuum sterilizers
  • Sterilizers
  • Temperature monitors
  • Temperature tracing and recording thermometers
  • Ultrasonic cleaners
  • Washer sterilizers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
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