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	Central Services Technician
	Job description
	The primary responsibility of Central Services Technicians is to clean, test, adjust, assemble and/or sterilize reusable medical supplies, instruments, and equipment. Work is usually performed in a hospital's Central Services Department under the direction of a trained health care professional, such as a registered nurse. Some medical supply distribution warehouses employ Central Services Technicians.
	Activities may include
	●	collect, receive, sort, test and sterilize contaminated instruments, containers, treatment trays and other supplies and equipment that have been used in the operating room, patient unit, emergency room, outpatient department or in the laboratory.
	●	maintain records of sterilization processes
	●	use disinfectant solutions, toxic gases, high pressure steam sterilizers
	●	store and then distribute patient care medical instruments and equipment to hospital units
	●	check, assemble and set up equipment, such as IV's and vacuum pumps
	●	stock medical supply lockers and storage areas
	●	operate and repair equipment
	●	perform, analyze and document sterilizer functions, test vacuums, chemical and biological indicators
	●	evaluate and inspect equipment (lead technician)
	●	answer telephones, handle face to face interactions with patients and hospital personnel
	Salaries and benefits*
	Entry level technicians make between $7.00 and $11.00 per hour while persons in lead positions average between $10.00 and $14.00 per hour. Generally technicians receive a full benefit package including health insurance, retirement and paid sick and vacation leave.
	Training and requirements
	Some hospitals require a Licensed Practical Nursing degree, but most require a high school diploma and three to six months experience in a medical setting. Training has been on-the job, but currently a training course is often required. In the Puget Sound area, training courses are offered at Overlake Hospital, Swedish Hospital Medical Center, Clover Park Technical College and Renton Technical College.
	Necessary skills
	●	the ability to operate and maintain a variety of medical equipment
	●	the ability to follow oral and written instruction
	●	the ability to do routine tasks regularly
	●	the ability to start and complete tasks responsibly
	●	a responsible attitude toward work
	●	the ability to work with a variety of hospital personnel successfully
	●	good manual dexterity
	●	the ability to work as a team member
	●	the ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment and handle chemicals and detergents
	●	the ability to do basic mathematical calculations
	●	knowledge of medical terms is helpful
	●	regular and punctual attendance on the job
	Licensure/Certification
	Certification is offered through two professional organization, The National Institute for the The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) in Flemington, New Jersey (Formerly The National Institute for the Certification of Healthcare Sterilization Processing Distribution Personnel), and the International Association for Healthcare Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM) in Chicago, Illinois.
	Helpful high school courses
	Includes English, math, computer science and biology.
	Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
	●	Clover Park Technical College 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Tacoma, WA 98499-4098 (253) 589-5678
	●	Renton Technical College 3000 NE Fourth St. Renton, WA 98056-4195 (425) 235-2352
	Outlook*
	The Outlook for Central Services Technicians in Washington State is good. There is an expanding work field as independent distribution warehouses are now using training Technicians.
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	* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.

	For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC 2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310 Seattle, WA 98121 Ph: 206.441.7137 Fax: 206.441.7158	E-mail WWAHEC with a question

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	Page updated 9/15/04