If you’re looking for a hands-on career where you can really make a difference in healthcare, becoming a sterile processing technician (SPT) is an excellent choice.
As an SPT in Michigan, no two days on the job will be the same.
You’ll get to work behind the scenes, sterilizing all the surgical instruments and medical equipment used in hospitals and clinics.
By ensuring everything is perfectly clean before it’s used on patients, you play a vital role in preventing infections.
I will show you how, with the right training, certification, and experience, you can look forward to a promising career in the medical community.
Table of Contents
Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician in Michigan, Step by Step
At any given time, there are dozens of surgeries and medical procedures happening throughout Michigan’s many healthcare facilities.
SPTs are responsible for making sure all those operations have the tools they need and that those tools won’t put patients at risk.
It takes a special kind of person to thrive in this fast-paced environment, where attention to detail is critical.
To enroll in sterile processing technician programs, students must meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Education: A high school diploma or GED is required. The program involves medical terminology and anatomy and physiology concepts, so a solid secondary education background is important.
The following skills are not mandatory but can help make studying easier:
Skills Requirements:
- 8th grade reading level or above is necessary to comprehend course materials.
- Basic computer literacy: Students should be able to search online, upload or download documents, use an online learning system, and work with common file formats like Word and PDF.
Interest and Commitment: A strong interest in healthcare and sterile processing is necessary to succeed.
Students must be willing to devote full attention and effort to training and completing all program requirements.
Information Session: Applicants can attend an information meeting to learn program details.
These sessions help students determine if the occupation is a good fit before enrolling.
By following these steps, applicants demonstrate they have the required foundation to handle a program’s rigors and start a career in sterile processing upon completion.
The requirements help set students up for ultimate success.
Certification and Experience
Although it is not legally required, getting certified is a must if you want to work in the highly sought-after field as an SPT technician.
Most healthcare facilities will only hire technicians who have certification from either the IAHCSMM or CBSPD.
Why?
These certificates show that you know how to properly clean equipment and stop the spread of infections, which is super important in healthcare.
Without certification, your resume will probably get passed over to other applicants who have one.
Plus, you need certification to qualify for raises and promotions down the road.
Earning your certificate is key to starting an awesome career in keeping surgical tools sanitized and patients safe as a sterile processing technician!
Obtaining hands-on clinical experience is also a requirement.
Most programs in Michigan mandate 400 hours of unpaid training in an actual central processing or sterile processing department.
This allows you to apply what you’ve learned in class and get comfortable with real-world medical center workflows, technologies, and protocols.
It’s an invaluable chance to hit the ground running on day one of your career.
Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Michigan
Want the full scope of training or an affordable local option?
Take a closer look; these outstanding programs guarantee you all the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this growing field.
Each proudly puts Michigan residents on the fast track to in-demand healthcare careers.
Kickstart Your Sterile Processing Career at These Top Schools
Michigan Healthcare Academy
Want everything you need under one roof?
MHA covers the full scope of training with their $3,800 program.
Their all-inclusive 12-week program is your one-stop shop for certification success.
Bring your high school degree, English skills, and dedication to learning.
Dorsey College
Do you prefer flexibility in your learning?
Dorsey’s hybrid online/classroom model means convenience without compromise.
Their tech-forward tools keep you engaged from any location.
Their curriculum mirrors that of other colleges, focusing on sterilization techniques, safety protocols, medical equipment handling, and more.
On-site learning combined with hands-on experience sets graduates up to pass certification.
Quinsigamond Community College
In just 13 weeks, Quinsigamond’s certificate program covers all the must-know content.
Key topics include department procedures, microbiology basics, instrument processing, and critical infection control methods.
At only $1,529, it’s an affordable option.
Combined with clinical placements, graduates emerge certified and ready to apply their new skills.
The fast-track schedule gets students into the workforce quickly.
All three colleges provide quality, focused sterile processing education.
Their hands-on learning models and clinical components give them a competitive edge in entering this high-demand field.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Michigan Healthcare Academy | 33 N River Rd, Mt Clemens, MI 48043, United States |
| Dorsey College | 31739 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, United States |
| Quinsigamond Community College | 670 W Boylston St, Worcester, MA 01606, United States |
Salary
According to BLS, salary levels make sterile processing an attractive long-term option.
In Michigan, the average annual wage for entry-level SPTs is currently around $51,000.
But compensation increases significantly with experience.
After 5 years on the job, wages often surpass $51,000 annually and can reach as high as $66,500 for those with over a decade of credentials.
Additional certifications, taking on management duties, or specializing in specific processing areas like endoscopy or orthopedics allow even greater potential for high earnings over an entire career.
At the same time, the work offers job satisfaction, knowing patients benefit directly from skills.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $45,825 |
| Grand Rapids | $43,953 |
| Warren | $45,825 |
| Flint | $42,246 |
| Sterling Heights | $45,680 |
| Lansing | $43,872 |
| Ann Arbor | $46,768 |
| Livonia | $45,680 |
| Dearborn | $45,825 |
| Westland | $46,115 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 250 | $41,930 | $20.16 | $46,600 | $35,470 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,080 | $42,040 | $20.21 | $51,720 | $34,950 |
| Flint, MI | 80 | $40,960 | $19.69 | $49,350 | $28,380 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 270 | $39,710 | $19.09 | $48,070 | $32,130 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 70 | $39,230 | $18.86 | $50,180 | $33,030 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 110 | $41,140 | $19.78 | $50,390 | $30,930 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 40 | $37,350 | $17.96 | $47,220 | $28,920 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Michigan's healthcare scene impact SPTs?
The state’s diverse healthcare system, from urban hospitals to rural clinics, means there are various opportunities for SPTs.
Your skills are in demand everywhere!
What's the work environment like at a healthcare center in Michigan?
Expect a dynamic setting.
You’ll be part of a team where precision and speed are key, bringing new challenges every day.
Can I specialize further as an SPT in Michigan?
Absolutely!
Many SPTs in Michigan advance into supervisory roles or specialize in areas like surgical instrument repair.
Sterile Processing Technician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
