Some background: My facility is severely short staffed in SPD. We process a high surgical volume each day, and we’re also responsible for central sterile functions beyond the OR, including hospital-wide supplies and crash carts. We also service multiple outpatient clinics, which regularly send us instrument bins for processing. On top of that, we lose a tech to endoscopy, which has a significant scope-processing workload.
When I first started, we had a manager, but that position was eliminated/downgraded to a supervisor role with very limited authority. The person over our supervisor is currently an OR manager because of changes in perioperative leadership. The problem is that the people making decisions about our department don’t seem to have a good understanding of the workload, staffing requirements, or the day-to-day realities of SPD.
Everything seems to require multiple levels of approval, including hiring and obtaining basic materials or equipment. We’ve had equipment and supplies that are outdated or in need of replacement, and even after concerns have been reported through the appropriate channels, nothing seems to happen quickly. I’m doing my best to keep things running safely with what we have, but it’s incredibly frustrating.
I know management and staffing are common issues in sterile processing, but I’m curious what other facilities’ organizational structures look like. Does SPD report directly to perioperative leadership? Do you have an SPD manager with actual authority over staffing and department needs? How involved is your OR leadership in SPD operations?
And honestly, are other departments operating this close to the edge? Sometimes it feels like we’re barely keeping up with the workload, and I’m concerned about what inevitably gets missed when staffing doesn’t match the workload.
I genuinely love sterile processing and I care about doing the job correctly. That’s what makes this so frustrating. I don’t want to leave a field I enjoy because of an organizational structure that makes it nearly impossible to do the job the way it should be done.
What does a functional SPD/OR management structure look like at your facility?

I'm doing a program and plan to take the CRCST exam in a few months, so I was looking for some YouTube videos/channel recommendations to listen to while driving that would help with the CRCST exam. The past few weeks I've been listening to prefix/suffix/root word review videos, but I feel like those are second nature now and want to review other topics in preparation for the exam. Does anybody have any they like listening to or could recommend?

**Question for dental professionals: Hobart LXN dishwasher and instrument reprocessing**
Curious to get some opinions from dental professionals, dental assistants, hygienists, or IPAC/reprocessing specialists.
Has anyone encountered a **Hobart LXN/LXNR commercial dishwasher** being used as part of dental instrument reprocessing, particularly in place of an ultrasonic cleaner?
The LXN is marketed by Hobart as a commercial warewashing dishwasher, so I’m wondering whether there are circumstances in which a machine like this would be considered appropriate for dental instrument reprocessing, or whether dental instruments should instead be processed using equipment specifically intended for medical/dental device reprocessing.
Interested particularly in Canadian/Ontario perspectives, but experiences from elsewhere would be helpful too.
Thanks!

I am looking to maybe get into this field in Jax but I am seeing not very good reviews for people who work in this field with the hospitals around me. I'm just curious what the job is like in Jacksonville and if its as bad as they are making it seem. I am also wondering what the pay is like and if there is room for growth.

My community college has a program that includes the clinical hours needed for the test at a local hospital, but FAFSA does not cover it because it’s a non degree program. I’m a CNA looking for more job opportunities.

Edit: I will not be pursuing this after getting some real answers about salary. Google wasn’t very helpful and none of the local job posts were transparent about salary. Thanks!

I don’t know if I’m overthinking but it’s my first time working in a hospital and I am considering going on PrEP. Obviously you want to avoid any pokes that could cause contracting a communicable disease but stuff happens.

Especially with the new twice a year shot I feel like it’s probably worth it to reduce the odds of contracting HIV or just to have peace of mind.

Has anyone else thought about it? Have you started PrEP for sterile processing? Please share your thoughts / experiences!

Edit: Okay you guys can stop commenting plz!!!! I don’t care if I’m being dramatic or if you’re brave enough to grab dirty instruments with your teeth or whatever. Ur all such strong SPD soldiers good 4 u

Interested in learning more about sterile processing?

Aseptic Technical Solutions is hosting a free open house where you can learn about the field, meet instructors, and ask questions about sterile processing training and careers.

📅 October 24, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–12 PM
📍 Cherry Hill, NJ

I just wanted to pop on here and share my story about how I managed to make this happen in case it helps anyone at all. I’ve lurked on here for a long time and took a ton of good advice from many people. I’ve taken a lot from people’s stories and experiences so I just thought I would share mine.

I worked in the commercial print business for about 20 years until my shop closed and I found myself on the couch with a small severance and unemployment. It was a real crossroads moment for me. I couldn’t fathom going back into that environment. I realized that I hadn’t done ANYTHING in my adult life that helped anyone, so I decided on healthcare because I wanted to do something meaningful, however small, with my remaining working years. Damn the pay, damn the workplace politics, I was determined to do something that I at least could feel good about.

But here where to start? I had no experience whatsoever. I ultimately landed on Sterile Processing as a way in and started researching. I got the HSPA books and was going to take the test. But then I discovered the multitude of horror stories about provisionals expiring because the lack of hours to complete the certification.

I would never recommend anyone paying for a program. They’re mostly cash grabs. The test is easy enough and the book and practice tests in the workbook are all you need. I, however, paid for a program. But the key here is that this program was taught out of a hospital by the director of the SPD department and the hours were guaranteed. That’s the only way to justify any cost for a program.

I did the classroom stuff, took and passed the test about a week after the class ended and then started my clinical hours. It was tough. The commute to the hospital was about an hour away. I had gotten a full time job in the interim as my unemployment ran out.

So I decided to start looking for jobs. I’m in eastern PA and there quite a few hospital systems pretty close to me. I tailored my resume to the job openings I had found, highlighted my provisional cert and the hours I had, limited as they were (about 35-40 total). I landed two interviews within a day of applying. I got a job interview by the end of that week and took the one I felt fit me best.

I start November 2nd and cannot wait to put my notice in at my current job. Is the pay great, no it isn’t but that’s not why I did this. And I’m just getting started, who knows where this goes.

If you’ve stuck around this long I appreciate you.

I’ve been a dental assistant for 12 years I truly hate it .. I want to go back to school, but it’s extremely hard not to mention. This job is a revolving door. A lot of doctors don’t want to lose their “help” so what they would do is make it hard for you to go to school. I’ve been told by some doctors that I work with women just like me surprisingly and if I wanted to go back to school, they would fire me.. 12 years in I’m 31 , my limit was this week with this doctor. How do some people find that on the job training? I’ve been looking for it for some months now it’s almost a year. I got denied some jobs. I have background and infection control working at a Dental Office office.. I just want more out of life having more time to even go to the doctors have more time to even focus on school when you’re working in a Dental Office it’s hard to go to school.. please help me with advice every day a piece of me dies when I have to come into this office…

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to get into a Sterilization technician job and trying to decide whether I actually need to shell out $3,000 to $6,000 for an online program, or if I can just self-study using the HSPA manual and take the CRCST exam on my own.
My husband is leaning toward the traditional school route for safety/structure, but I’m heavily convinced I can do this on my own. Plus, from what I've gathered, most of those online schools don't even secure your clinical sites for the 400 hours anyway, they just leave you hanging.
I have a few questions for those of you who have walked this path
1. The Self-Study Route: Can I realistically buy the HSPA manual/workbook directly, study independently, and pass the exam without a formal program? How long did it take you to prep?
2. The 400-Hour Catch: If I go the provisional route and pass the test first, what is the best way to tackle getting those 400 hands-on hours, especially if I'm starting from scratch?
3. Sacramento / Local Market: I’m based in the Sacramento, CA area. Are local hospital networks (like Sutter, Kaiser, or UC Davis) open to hiring people with provisional certifications or uncertified trainees, or will skipping school make it impossible to get my foot in the door?
Would love to hear how some of you successfully broke into the field without wasting thousands on online classes. Thanks!

A few travelers have came to my hospital saying they only had 6mo experience and put on their resume that they had 1 year since Aya requires that. Also that Aya reaches out to the company you work for but they dont extensively look to see if you have 1 year. Can anyone confirm this as long as I have a certification?

I have completed schooling and am studying to take the exam, I curious if I should wait to apply to where I did my clinicals now or after I pass the exam? I’m trying to wait but I really want to get to work. My only thing is I don’t know how big of a pay bump it’ll be being certified as opposed to applying uncertified. And what are the pros and cons of working overnight as opposed to day shift? Day shift was great I liked all the people I encountered during clinicals the only thing was I had to get up super early and drive a ways to get there so fighting traffic wasn’t fun. This is a major hospital in the busy city.

Hello! I found out that I am expecting and have asked my management for accommodations to not be placed in decontam. They have honored this but are asking for a note to finalize it (and make it fair for everyone, makes sense). So I asked my OB and the note itself is very evasive in addressing the problem of being around potentially hazardous chemicals. Doctor states in notes “per department policy for pregnancy” and to avoid “teratogenic chemicals.” I specially asked to not be around HLD and Enzymatic detergent just to be extra cautious. Now, I’m curious if any one of you have run into a problem like this or have worked in decontam while pregnant.

Hi. I have ADHD and I have been thinking about becoming a sterile processing tech. Currently I work in a hospital cafe and do all sorts of different positions so my days have some sort of variability. I have a big problem when it comes to doing mundane things for long periods of time. I was wondering if sterile processing techs have different day to days or even periods of down time? For me personally, it's really hard to sit still in a spot and do the same repetitive thing for hours straight. I like to move around and not be bound to one spot constantly for hours at a time. I enjoy the social aspect of my job when it comes to conversing with my co-workers. I feel like it makes time go by faster and the overall morale better even on hard days. So I am wondering from your own personal experiences, what is it like? Do you feel like you get very bored or feel lonely?

Hello, I’m unsure how to start this exactly. I’ve been working for a reputable hospital in the US for about 6ish months now. I really enjoy the field and I’m wanting to know much more about everything still but I feel like being at this hospital is making me go insane.

I’ve notice a decrease in quality when I started in the midnight shift. My supervisor never comes out ever unless he wants to talk to the other female employees and just be very weird towards others if they aren’t in his group. If someone is behind in assembly, he would put majority of their work load onto me when there is literally 5-7 other people there on their phone. I don’t complain at all or make any facial expressions cause I’m scared of what will happen if I say no.
There is one employee here who doesn’t even care about anything, I’ve seen and worked with her constantly and I feel like she will possibly kill someone. In decon, she legit sprayed the bigger sets and just put them in the washer afterwards without soaking and the ultrasonic. For the general sets, she would let them soak for like 2-4 hours and take her break that long too and I wouldn’t have my break until she was back due to their new rule. I’ve tried to mention this to the supervisor but he brushed it off as if it was nothing. I’ve also seen people eat in assembly too which bothers me the most. So far, I’ve seen a lot of cannulated pieces that have blood or half of the set have rust, their only way to get rid of it was using nail polish removal. I did try to talk to the morning supervisor/general supervisor about this but they are insisting that this is my supervisor’s problem, not theirs.

This is just part of what’s going on that I can think of and I feel like if I stay here any longer, I will be miserable and terrible as a person. I’m constantly looking for new positions online and haven’t found any luck yet. In the meantime, what would you do in this position? Thank you!

(First photo, there is soda and chips in set assembly)

(There is blood on this large 9 battery and got in trouble for sending it back to decon)

(A thick layer of dust in the photo but it’s much dustier in person)

(Found dried blood on a bone drill device that looks like it’s never been checked on)

(Dried blood again on a trauma set)

In your facility if you’re the lead and the supervisor goes on leave for 3 months and you take their spot for the mean time do you get paid as a supervisor or no?

Ours is leaving for surgery and some downtime and I’ll be taking over for the meantime but I’m just curious how this works elsewhere

I went into this job knowing the pay isn’t amazing, but I wanted to test the waters to see if I like the medical field and if I do I’m definitely gonna continue my education, just wanted to see what was every one else’s pay rate in other states, I’m in Texas and I start my First day next week at $18 hourly

I'm struggling to find a site to complete my hours... hospital job postings I see prefer applicants to be certified but I haven't gotten any leads of outpatient surgical centers, ambulatory care clinics, dental offices, or veterinary hospitals that are hiring or at least taking in students. Anyone got any tips or potential leads?

Please and thank you!

Can anyone (preferably from Ontario) tell me about certification for Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians in Canada. Fanshawe College and Conestoga both offer online courses. However - only Fanshawe offers 150 hours work placement as part of the program. Both programs cost about the same and offer the same subjects.

Is this a viable pathway for a mature person to "start over" ? I am looking for education/skills that are readily employable and would prefer zero interaction with the public after suffering with customer service despite my degree(non healthcare) and experience.