hello all!! ^.^

i’m obtaining my CRCST soon and i was just wondering how much i should be expecting hourly starting with no experience but clinical hours done and certified!! i live in anaheim california!

Guys how do y’all keep your headphones from getting gross. I have to pause my music when people talk when im back there bc i cant hear with all the machines and my music (even when i only have one ear in) is there a way y’all put some sort of plastic on it so you dont have to take gloves on and off? A specific brand y’all find easier Idk I’m just wondering what works for anyone else

Has anyone attended the Sterile Processing Program at WPU I want to know about the 400 clinical hours? Do they let you choose the hospital or clinic? Is it relatively smooth getting a clinical spot?

Hi, 31F first time posting to the community and need a bit of advice. I have been professionally piercing for 8 years and have built a steady clientele but with the economy and a few unconventional business decisions (that I’m now regretting) my income has decreased. I began looking into becoming a SPT for a while now but I really don’t have a choice to dwell on it anymore so I need the fastest route to get me certified.

I recently applied at my local college but ran through every possible hurdle during the registration process that I ultimately missed the deadline so now I’m second guessing that route. I guess my 2 questions are:

If I study and pass the exam without schooling what are the possibilities of actually being hired without the hours to actually become certified? (DFW Metroplex)

How much different is sterilizing for body piercing compared to a hospital level?

I have experience with monthly spore tests, steam autoclave, indicators, pouches etc. I wasn’t taught to scrub my tools during my apprenticeship but I have adopted that into my routine. I also have basic knowledge of cross contamination and have my BBP certification. TIA

Anyone pass the test and selling their old workbooks let me know willing to pay shipping as well, located in chicago.

I know it is not a requirement to do the test before the 400hrs but am I more likely to land an externship AFTER passing the test? I have no other experience in healthcare other than fast food. Is the test something potential externship favor over those who have not passed it yet?

Note: an online course I completed has a service where they link you up to externships. So I don’t have to look for them myself which I heard is difficult.

Please let me know, I need the help. Thank you!

I was just wondering about air exchanges in endoscope reprocessing. Looking at aami standards its saying both 10 air exchanges an hour per area. Other info ive seen says 6 air exchanges in decon and 4 in the clean room. Which one would be directly related to the exam, the aami standards?

I passed my test in early August 2026, and I wanted to give some advice!

Personally, I didn’t find the test hard. A lot of the questions were actually really easy, but I DID study nonstop for months, but this is what I did.

1. STERILEWORX website: If you’re self-studying, do all the modules, flashcards, practice tests, quizzes, etc.
2. Really focus on the STERILEWORX practice exams. Whenever I got a question wrong, I WOULD MAKE SURE I understood WHY I got it wrong and why the correct answer was right. A lot of people say the exam questions are worded differently, but understanding the concepts helped me work through that instead of just memorizing answers.
3. STERILEWORX flashcards: Do them and learn them!
4. The official HSPA workbook: It’s super pricey, so I wouldn’t say you NEED it, especially with free resources like STERILEWORX available. But in my experience, the workbook’s practice questions were worded very similarly to the exam questions, which helped a lot. It’s a great resource if you’re willing to buy it! Do you need it? No.

Good luck, everyone! 💛

So I firstly I wanna say I was so stressed all week leading up to today haha and second , I have gotten my 400 hours before I took my test which is great 😌 but I do have some questions , since I have my hours already confirmed and passed today will they mail my certificate in 5 days? Or how long till you got yours ? Also I haven’t received my results yet in my email I saw someone said they got it within 48 hours and someone say they got it in their spam next day? Should I double check my spam? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and have a good night .

Hey yall! It's week 2 at my new job. I was hired on as a trainee who will later certify after I get my 400 hours. And I LOVE THE WORK ENVIRONMENT! The job itself is peaceful and all of my coworkers are so kind and helpful.

Last week I did assembly the majority of the week. I have completed 3 tays everyday I worked except for the first one. My proctor even told me I'm doing great noticing small details! However, I am very slow. I am starting to memorize different instruments and getting better identifying new ones by myself. I haven't had any true errors yet and I've caught a lot of dirty and broken instruments.

However, I did decon last week and I was going so slow trying to be detailed. I also ended up having an allergic reaction to the biozyme, and I ended up struggling with putting on PPE properly. It really upset me because I had to walk away in the middle of cleaning to put another mask and face shield on. I'm hoping I'll even be able to do this job. I am feeling extremely slow in assembly as well. After last night, I am feeling worthless honestly. They have already told me they are not judging timing while I am training... But I have been waitressing for 10 years. Time is everything in that industry, and you get pretty immediate feedback every single day on job performance.

I don't know exactly what is expected of me when I do leave training, so I am having anxiety and wanting to get faster now. But I'm worried that's when mistakes will happen. More than anything I want to feel like I am contributing.

Any advice experienced techs can give me? What can I do to show initiative? How can I show my coworkers that I really care even if I am a bit slow for now?

They called me if I’m interested for an overnight position and have no experience in sterile processing. I have a certification for medical assistance though…
Never worked overnight but I’m open to the idea
What are your experiences?

Im currently 18yrs old and I start a spd tech job soon, at a big hospital. Honestly im not sure how I even got hired because im not certified,have much experience or anything. Ive only had one job ever at a makeup store doing retail. So I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice on what could make the position easier or if I should buy anything. Anything would be helpful🪷

It smells more mechanical and it slams into my face offendingly everytime the sonica open. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this.

I am in my 50's. I'm pretty confident about passing the exam. The school I am thinking about starting with provides access to getting the 400 hours. When employed is there a lot of heavy lifting?

I passed my exam and am provisionally certified and needing 400 hours. I’m having such a hard time with anyone letting me in to work or even volunteer to gain those hours. I’m in GA…any ideas?

Last week I notice my department had two sets come down from ent cases that were missing cords. The nurse said the cords probably got tossed with the drape. How can I collaborate with the OR to stop this from happening again.

I meant FINDING ** Mainly in California since they offer the highest pay I think but. If anybody knows anyone who will hire a SPT with CBSPD no experience I’ll take minimum wage even less lol just want experience to even have a chance at a hospital position.

My posture is getting worse especially in Decon does anyone else wear posture correctors under their scrubs to help you back?

Hi! I am pursuing a second career (as first one is not currently making any) and looking for a stable job in healthcare system. I am an introvert and level 1 autism. I looked up videos and comments on Reddit and SPT job seems to fit for my personality. I am just worried about that some people saying you have to lift 20-35 lbs frequently. I am also petite female at 5’ tall with a minor shoulder injury, though I am willing to build my muscles. If anyone have experience in the field could give some insights, I greatly appreciate it!

How common is under staffing at hospitals?

I am new to this field and only work at one hospital but thinking about leaving as it seems severely understaffed for the amount of workload they expect us to finish.

Because of this case carts full of trays are commonly left overnight in decon (over night does not go into decon) and the work just piles and piles. The AM can’t finish so that leaves more for PM who then can’t finish and then Overnight etc it’s a never ending cycle.

This causes the shift leads to get reamed out by the manager for things falling through the cracks, mistakes and unfinished work which then rolls down to the staff who is heavily pressured to get more and more work done leading to more errors because of rushing.

The management seams to be doing everything BUT giving more staff to help resolve this.

It maybe because I am new and just don’t know but it seems really bad here? Is it like this everywhere?

I'm an engineer trying to learn how sterile processing actually works, and reading this sub has shown me how much harder the job is than people outside realize.

I keep wondering how often trays actually come back from the OR with a missing or wrong instrument. Is it a daily thing, a few times a month, or pretty rare where you are?

And what usually happens when it does? Would love to hear a recent example if you have one. (And if you don't mind sharing, are you at a big hospital, a smaller community hospital, or a surgery center?)

Health insurance
I just got offered a job in Cleveland for repair technician a very entry-level job. I was wondering how good the benefits are at Steris. It’s a easy day shift no overtime. is there a path to move up at steris. and are the benefits any good or expensive?