Dental Assistant Transitioning Into Sterile Processing Advice Needed
I’ve been a dental assistant for the past 5 years and I’ve also basically been the lead sterilization tech in my office handling instrument processing, sterilizers, biological monitoring, tray setup, infection control, etc.
I’ve been studying for the CRCST and was thinking about using my dental sterilization experience toward the 400 hours requirement instead of trying to get hospital SPD hours first since it’s honestly been difficult finding hospitals willing to let people come in for hours/training.
I know dental sterilization and OR/hospital sterilization are different, but would it still be a smart way to get certified first and then learn the hospital-specific side once hired? My thought process is that most hospitals train you on their specific workflows, instruments, and standards anyway.
Has anyone here transitioned from dental to sterile processing this way? Did employers care that your experience came from a dental office instead of a hospital?