How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho

Do you dream about helping medical patients without ever having to set foot in med school?

Consider a career as a Sterile Processing Technician, an integral part of a hospital or clinic’s ecosystem.

SPTs organize and distribute medical tools, keeping them clean and decontaminated for use during surgical procedures.

Here’s how to start your path to becoming an SPT in Idaho.

How to Become an SPT

Idaho doesn’t require any sort of certification or degree to work as a Sterile Processing Technician, but that doesn’t mean you should try to jump in without any training whatsoever.

The job market is so competitive in most healthcare fields that your application might not get a second glance if you don’t have any training or experience.

That’s why the HSPA has been certifying people since 1971.

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)

You can obtain your certification through one of the HSPA’s four levels of certifications:

• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) – the base-level certification for SPTs
• Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) – an endoscope-specific certification
• Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) – an advanced instrument certification
• Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) – a certification for SPT management

You’ll need to submit a complete application and undergo a criminal background check.

Then, you’ll be able to register to take the test of your choosing, and the HSPA will give you all you’ll need to study up, like online courses, content outlines, reference materials, and even the HSPA’s Certification Handbook.

Once you pass, you’ll be certified for a year, and you can renew your certification with a $50 payment and proof of continuing education courses.

Sterile Processing Schools in Idaho

Idaho has a couple of available Sterile Processing courses to help you further improve your chances of success.

College of Southern Idaho

College of Southern Idaho teaches its students all the latest heat, steam, and chemical disinfecting and sterilization techniques to prepare them for a career in Sterile Processing.

They offer a basic technical certificate in Surgical/Central Sterile Processing, and it’s an open-entry course, so any existing CSI student can enroll.

The course is designed to prepare you for the HSPA’s certification exam.

College of Eastern Idaho

College of Eastern Idaho boasts the cheapest Central Processing program in Idaho.

They are looking for students with integrity and time management, conflict resolution, and people skills who are comfortable working with the public and are calm under pressure.

Their course also prepares you for the HSPA’s certification exam, 

Boise State University

Boise State University’s Extended Studies program offers a self-paced, online Sterile Processing course that includes a voucher for the HSPA’s test application fee.

The program is 190-course hours in total, and the only in-person learning you’ll have to do is as part of the clinical experience portion.

You’ll be sent all the materials you need to participate once you’re accepted — all you’ll need is a functional computer, consistent internet access, and a personal email account.

Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll be prepared for the HSPA’s CRCST certification exam.

Salary

In Idaho, you could expect to make an average of $41,881 per year as a Sterile Processing Tech. 

On the higher end of the scale, though, you could potentially make over $46,000.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Boise	$42,008
Nampa	$41,557
Pocatello	$39,199
Idaho Falls	$41,006
Meridian	$41,963
Coeur d'Alene	$44,044
Twin Falls	$39,154
Lewiston	$46,233
Caldwell	$41,512
Moscow	$44,044

Regional Salary in Idaho

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical Equipment Preparers, OCC Code 31-9093, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be licensed to work as a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho?

No, Idaho doesn’t require certification for Sterile Processing Techs — however, getting certified is highly recommended.

How much can I make as a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho?

Yearly salaries for Sterile Processing Techs vary quite a bit from city to city, but on average, SPTs in Idaho can expect to make $41,881 per year.

Which certification test will Idaho-based courses prepare me for?

All three of Idaho’s local Sterile Processing programs will prepare you for the HSPA’s certification tests.

Sterile Processing Technician Info by State