Medical Equipment Preparers

Career summary

Medical equipment preparers may also be called central service or central processing technicians or sterile processing technicians.

Medical equipment preparers clean and sterilize instruments and equipment such as:

• Dialysis machines
• Oxygen machines
• Hospital beds
• Respirators
• Surgical tools

Medical equipment preparers record when the instrument was used. They run tests to make sure that the sterilization process is complete. They also test equipment to make sure it is running properly.

Medical equipment preparers deliver medical equipment and may install the equipment, using a variety of small hand tools. They prepare surgical trays before a procedure. They organize the tray so that the tools are laid out in the proper order.

Medical equipment preparers must keep their skills up to date. They attend training sessions offered through their employer. They may also help other medical staff with routine patient care.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Dental Assistants
• Dental Laboratory Technicians
• Medical Appliance Technicians
• Medical Assistants
• Medical Equipment Repairers
• Medical Laboratory Technicians
• Medical Laboratory Technologists
• Nursing Assistants
• Surgical Technologists

Military careers

• Medical Care Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to medical equipment preparers.

• Organize surgical instruments, trays, and other supplies. Restock when needed.
• Clean and sterilize surgical instruments. Record when sterilizing is complete.
• Use sterilizers, aerators, and washers to clean and sterilize medical equipment. Equipment includes respirators, hospital beds, and oxygen machines.
• Examine and test equipment to make sure it is running properly. Talk to supervisors if equipment needs repair.
• Flush water through equipment to remove waste materials.
• Deliver equipment to hospital rooms or patients' homes.
• Maintain records of equipment inventory and usage.
• Attend training sessions to keep skills up to date.
• May assist hospital staff with routine patient care.
• May install and set up equipment, using hand tools.
• Report defective equipment to supervisors. May arrange for repair.
• Attend in-service and other training sessions to stay up to date on hospital policies and advancements in equipment.

Common work activities

Medical equipment preparers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Evaluate information against standards
• Document and record information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Process information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Handle and move objects
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Control machines and processes
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Assist and care for others
• Use computers
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Think creatively
• Analyze data or information
• Teach others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Perform for or work with the public
• Schedule work and activities
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, medical equipment preparers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social interaction. They talk with medical staff about equipment problems, but spend time alone making repairs.
• Communicate by telephone and in person on a daily basis.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others. Preparations must be complete and error-free.
• May on occasion be placed in conflict situations with unpleasant or angry people.
• Regularly work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Are exposed to diseases and infections on a daily basis. To protect themselves, they wear safety attire, including surgical masks and gloves.
• Always work indoors.
• Are exposed to contaminants from medical equipment on a weekly basis.
• Are exposed to hazardous conditions.
• Work near others. They often share work space with other medical personnel and patients.
• Sometimes are exposed to loud or distracting sounds.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could cause serious injury to medical staff or patients.
• Make most decisions without consulting a supervisor first. Medical equipment is often set up the same way, every day.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• May sometimes let the pace of work be dictated by the speed of equipment.
• Abide by strict daily and weekly deadlines.
• Must repeat the same physical and mental tasks.

Hours/travel

• Usually work full time.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Medical equipment preparers frequently:

• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for medical equipment preparers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for medical equipment preparers to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

Skills and abilities

Medical equipment preparers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Medical Assisting
• Sterile Processing Technology

Other programs of study to consider

• Medical Laboratory Assisting
• Surgical Technology

Training

To work as a medical equipment preparer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. However, more employers look for applicants with some additional training via coursework or a certificate in an applicable field.

On-the-job training

Almost all medical equipment preparers learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. You begin by observing and helping other workers. On-the-job training usually lasts up to six months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be medical care technicians. Training lasts seven to 52 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Fundamentals
• Introduction to Heath Care
• Equipment Maintenance and Repair

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers may require a high school diploma, equivalent, or experience. Many employers have training programs. Employers prefer to train people who are healthy, patient, and tactful. They want workers who like to help people and who can be depended on. They look for teamwork skills, such as working well with others, communicating carefully, and being willing to do routine tasks over and over.

Costs to workers

Some workers join professional associations, which may have annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Medical Equipment Preparers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by the equipment preparers level of training and experience. Wages also vary by area of the country.

Benefits may vary by employer. However, most equipment preparers receive typical benefits, such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Hospitals
• Dentists' offices
• Outpatient care centers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. Technology advances in medical procedures mean more procedures will be performed. An increase in the aging population will increase the need for medical procedures. Hospitals are the main employers of equipment preparers.

Job openings will occur as people leave the occupation for better paying jobs. Job prospects are good for entry-level workers.

Other resources

Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution 
1392 US Hwy 22 W
Lebanon, NJ 08833
908.236.0530

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Medical Equipment Preparers (31-9093.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Health-equipment Servicer (359.363-010) 
• Respiratory-therapy Aide (355.674-022) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Service Skilled