A sterile processing technician is a critical part of the healthcare system. They ensure that medical instruments and tools are disinfected and sterilized to the highest standards. These workers are the backbone of operating rooms. They are the frontline first responders to disease, risking their daily health to care for others.
Sterile processing professionals are the unsung heroes of operating rooms. They are responsible for maintaining the hospital’s sanitary goods and instruments inventory. They also help reduce the spread of the virus by cleaning and decontaminating surgical tools and equipment. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, they worked hard to keep the hospital clean, safe, and ready for the next wave of patients.
The global health crisis led to countless healthcare workers needing to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from exposure to the virus. During this time, PPE was scarce. As a result, hospitals had to adapt their work settings and ensure the cleanliness of potential infection due to contaminated equipment to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. And with the growing number of COVID-19 patients, it became a must for medical institutions to update their sterilization processes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, sterile processing technicians helped healthcare professionals reduce the virus’s spread. In addition to protecting patients and ensuring the safety of surgical tools, these professionals also worked to keep the hospital environment clean. They helped the hospital to meet the demand for sterile goods and instruments, which made it easier for the hospital to perform its duties.
An institution’s sterile processing department (SPD) could also answer questions about processing COVID-19-exposed medical devices. Those questions included how the virus can be processed, the risk of exposure, and how to prevent other infections. In addition, sterile processing workers answered questions about the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with clean goods.
With COVID-19 still considered a threat and the aging population, the demand for sterile processing technicians is expected to increase constantly. And for those looking to make a career in the medical field, becoming a sterile processing professional is a cost-effective option compared to going for the more traditional way of becoming a health worker.
Martinson College is for you if you are looking for an institution for sterile processing technician certification. Our mission is to raise knowledge of the importance of sterile processing while helping numerous people start their careers as sterile processing technicians. You can schedule your appointments at our training locations by clicking here or calling (888) 625-0059.
