I’m dirt poor, can’t afford to pay for a Sterile Processing program. I figured I’d buy the textbook, study the hell out of it, take the CRST, and then apply to jobs.
Is this a valid pathway for someone in LA?
Any tips for learning/ studying?
Now I do specifically tell the team to leave it to me because I have a specific system, but this never happened before we hired our new doctor. He keeps taking so many spec appointments that the schedule gets out of control for everyone.
I counted, there are 96 bags for our two autoclaves. Oh yeah, and we're closed Fridays, so I get to come in on my day off :)
Has anyone run into this? This set was processed about 2 months ago. Now the color of steam tape is almost gone.
I'm an OR nurse, and I was taught not to use these when the indicator didn't turn fully. But our SPD said it's fine to use. Curious what other folks think about this.
I understand other facilities have different procedures and level of acceptance etc but I'm curious on what does your facility do for oily hand pieces? We'd clean them, oil, and air out for 1 minute, wipe them and on to sterilization. Dental understandably doesn't like oil spots on the pouch even if it's 1cm, the big problem is my facility is very very very rural. Extremely hard to get supplies, we do our best to prevent oil on the pouches but regardless what we do they get oily 🥲 [folded to hide the names and facility] Quick edit: we do check the pouched to make sure they are free of oil but they eventually leak oil after we give the OK and give them to dental
DO. NOT. ENROLL.
I was a student in the LSC Tomball Sterile Processing Program. It was the most horrible experience, run by the most incompetent individuals.
The program works like this you take a couple of classes for a few months, and then the coordinator is supposed to place you in a clinical internship at a hospital so you can receive the necessary 400 hours to become fully certified. The program charges you for both the classes and approximately $1,000 for clinicals.
The classes were fine. I was taught by a wonderful professor. The problem was with the coordinator. For months leading up to the clinical start date, she would ignore emails students sent her. When the date finally arrived for us to begin clinicals, she came out and said, “Sorry for the delay, the hospitals have no availability for students right now,” after LYING to students for months and HAPPILY taking their money.
I do know that some students are lucky enough to receive clinical placements, but by all means, the MAJORITY aren’t lucky enough to get an offer much less a response from the coordinator.
I was one of the students who did receive an offer, but even then, communicating with the coordinator was a horrible experience. She was kind and professional at first, but when I submitted my required documents, she failed to submit a NECESSARY document for my application. Of course, the hospital rejected my application and waitlisted me.
She called me the following day and talked down to me. She couldn’t take responsibility for what she did and tried to lie and blame the hospital, saying that “the hospital is really strict/picky and will reject most documents.” But once again, she NEVER SUBMITTED AN ESSENTIAL DOCUMENT.
She was completely incompetent, and during that phone call, she threatened to remove me from the program. She knew she had no reasonable or plausible reason to ethically do so, and that is the only reason she didn’t.
After that, I was done. I did not want to deal with her anymore, so I withdrew from the program and lost the money I had paid for the clinical internship.
If you’re interested in the sterile processing field, do not enroll in this program. The coordinator is incompetent, unprofessional, and rude. The program director genuinely does not do anything. I know a good handful of students who are still waiting to be placed in clinicals MONTHS after completing the classes.
DO. NOT. ENROLL.
My community college has a program that includes the clinical hours needed for the test at a local hospital, but FAFSA does not cover it because it’s a non degree program. I’m a CNA looking for more job opportunities.
I don’t know if I’m overthinking but it’s my first time working in a hospital and I am considering going on PrEP. Obviously you want to avoid any pokes that could cause contracting a communicable disease but stuff happens.
Especially with the new twice a year shot I feel like it’s probably worth it to reduce the odds of contracting HIV or just to have peace of mind.
Has anyone else thought about it? Have you started PrEP for sterile processing? Please share your thoughts / experiences!
Edit: Okay you guys can stop commenting plz!!!! I don’t care if I’m being dramatic or if you’re brave enough to grab dirty instruments with your teeth or whatever. Ur all such strong SPD soldiers good 4 u
Interested in learning more about sterile processing?
Aseptic Technical Solutions is hosting a free open house where you can learn about the field, meet instructors, and ask questions about sterile processing training and careers.
📅 October 24, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–12 PM
📍 Cherry Hill, NJ