Description
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
- Investigative
Work Values
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Independence
- Stress Tolerance
Tasks
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
- Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
- Record sterilizer test results.
- Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
- Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
Work Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Processing Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Detailed Work Activities
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Technology Skills
- Medical software
- Presentation software
- Electronic mail software
- Document management software
- Calendar and scheduling software
Abilities
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Deductive Reasoning
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Active Listening
- Operations Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified Laser Repair TechnicianCertifying Organization
National Council on Laser Certification
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution SupervisorCertifying Organization
Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Surgical Instrument SpecialistCertifying Organization
Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Flexible Endoscope ReprocessorCertifying Organization
Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Sterile Processing ManagementCertifying Organization
Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $35,220 |
| Median (50%) | $45,213 |
| High (90%) | $61,718 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $45,960 |
| Mid Level | $55,557 |
| Senior Level | $62,300 |
| Expert Level | $66,813 |
Employability
There are currently 70,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 74,700 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 6%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 6%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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