How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Indiana

Sterile Processing Technicians are necessary members of any hospital, medical center, or clinic — so if you’ve ever wanted to help others in the medical field, it could be your dream career.

As an SPT, you’ll find yourself organizing and distributing medical tools to surgeons for their procedures.

In between, you’ll keep them sanitized and decontaminated so they’re always ready to go in advance.

Here’s how you can embark on a career as a Sterile Processing Tech in Indiana.

How to Become an SPT

Indiana doesn’t require certification or a degree for Sterile Processing Technicians, but with how competitive the job market can be, the more experience you have under your belt, the better chance you’ll have at getting hired.

That’s why we recommend you pursue certification through the HSPA, which 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

Once you’ve submitted an application and passed a criminal background check, you’ll have to wait for your acceptance.

Then, the HSPA will provide you with what you need to study for the test: online courses, content outlines, reference materials, and the HSPA’s Certification Handbook.

Certification lasts a year in total from the date of your test, which you can renew via a $50 fee and evidence of continuing education courses.

Sterile Processing Schools in Indiana

Indiana has a few available Sterile Processing courses for those looking to improve their training.

Wayne Township Adult Education

Wayne Township Adult Education has partnered with Vincennes University to provide students with a Sterile Processing Technician program.

If the program is closed when you attempt to apply, you can be added to a waitlist to be notified when seats are available again.

They offer both evening and afternoon classes to help fit your schedule.

Indiana Virtual Academy

Indiana Virtual Academy (now merged with Indiana Online) offers a mostly online self-paced Sterile Processing course for just $3,190.

The course is 190-course hours in total, and enrollment is open you can get started whenever you’d like.

The only in-person learning you’ll have to do is as part of your clinical experience portion.

To attend classes, you’ll need access to a personal email account, consistent internet, and a functional computer — beyond that, all the course materials you need will be sent to you once you’re accepted!

Purdue University

Purdue University is partnered directly with the HSPA to provide incoming Sterile Processing students with the best education possible.

They offer an online self-study course, which you have a year to complete from when you start, and also a Central Service Leadership course. 

In addition, you can study not only for the HSPA’s CRCST test but also for their CIS test.

Unfortunately, Purdue University doesn’t help students with hands-on training or clinical experience, so you’ll have to find that elsewhere.

Salary

In Indiana, Sterile Processing Technicians can expect to make $44,094 a year on average.

However, there’s definitely room for growth, with some SPTs making over $49,000 a year.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Indianapolis	$43,994
Fort Wayne	$42,182
Evansville	$42,736
South Bend	$42,633
Gary	$45,194
Hammond	$45,194
Bloomington	$41,650
Muncie	$41,707
Anderson	$41,869
Terra Haute	$41,512

Regional Salary in Indiana

* Salary information based on the May 2022 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 training to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Indiana?

No, Indiana doesn’t require their Sterile Processing Techs to be certified, but taking the HSPA’s certification test can help you a lot in getting hired.

How much could I make as a Sterile Processing Technician in Indiana?

Yearly salaries in Indiana range from just under $39,000 to just over $49,000 on average in the state of Indiana, with average earners making about $44,094.

Could I prepare for the HSPA's certification test online in Indiana?

Yes, in fact both Indiana Virtual Academy and Purdue University offer online courses to help you prepare for your career as a Sterile Processing Tech.

Sterile Processing Technician Info by State