Sterile Processing Technician: Online Certificate Program

Increase your earning power, gain in-demand skills and launch your career in the medical field as a sterile processing technician. Bring your attention to detail and organizational skills to this rewarding role in a hospital, lab or clinic setting — without years of schooling.

a man wearing light personal protective equipment cleaning medical tools.
a man and a women wearing personal protective equipment looking at medical equipment.

This Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program is a great fit for:

  • Individuals interested in a career in healthcare
  • Recent high school graduates
  • Any student, healthcare professional, or aspiring healthcare worker who’s looking to join a booming field with opportunities for growth

About the Online Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program

COURSE LENGTH icon

COURSE LENGTH

14 weeks

TIME COMMITMENT icon

TIME COMMITMENT

16 Hours Per Week

TUITION icon

TUITION

$4,000*

*You can pay as little as $261 per month. For full payment options and different financing plans, including interest rates from external lenders, please talk to our enrollment team.

If you have a keen attention to detail and a desire to contribute to the success of a team, you share qualities with the folks who are the lifeline of every medical institution – sterile processing technicians.

Sterile processing technicians are vital to the operation of medical facilities. As a sterile processing technician, you are responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, disinfecting and sterilizing all the equipment used in medical facilities and ensuring that patients receive safe and effective care. A typical hospital reuses tens of thousands of medical instruments every month. Each instrument requires special cleaning and maintenance — that’s where sterile processing technicians come in.

After earning your Sterile Processing Technician Certificate, you’ll have the skills needed to enter the medical industry and jumpstart your career in healthcare. Pursuing a career as a sterile processing technician lands you in a fast-paced and constantly evolving field with ample opportunities for growth and advancement, all while driving the safety and effectiveness of medical care, contributing to successful patient outcomes.

Sterile Processing Technician Fast Facts

9,600

NUMBER OF STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN JOB OPENINGS PER YEAR

Career Paths

STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
CENTRAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PREPARER
SURGICAL ASSISTANT
SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
REGISTERED NURSE

Sterile processing technicians in the 90th percentile of earners in their field make more than $30 per hour.

-Bureau of Labor Statistics

Interested in a healthcare career, but not sure where to start?

Download our FREE Finding My Career Path Guide. This PDF (5-min read) is packed with all the resources you need to make an informed decision about your future: 

  • A sample profile of a healthcare job, including salary and job outlook through 2031. 
  • A “Day in the Life” job description to help you picture yourself working your new healthcare career. 
  • The 10 questions you need to ask yourself to determine if healthcare is right for you.





an illustration of a group of people going around a lab.

Related Certificate Programs at St. Ambrose University

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Begin a rewarding career as a valued member of the healthcare team, assisting physicians and delivering compassionate care to patients.

Medical Assistant
a women wearing scrubs working on a medical equipment.

Join the operating room team, assist surgeons during procedures, and contribute to successful surgical outcomes with precision and expertise.

Surgical Technologist

Is this Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program right for me? 

If you have some or many of the following personality traits, abilities or desires, a career as a sterile processing technician may be a great fit!

  • Are you a good communicator who can work well with a team?  
  • Are you detail-oriented, precise and able to follow instructions carefully?  
  • Are you dexterous and comfortable working with your hands to prepare medical areas for patients?  
  • Do you have the physical stamina needed to be on your feet frequently? 

Why Choose St. Ambrose University?

The Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program at St. Ambrose University offers students:

  • Flexible scheduling options, which allow you to balance your studies with personal commitments. 
  • A program with an emphasis on professionalism, ethics and patient-centered care.
  • Affordable tuition fees and financing options for those who qualify.
  • Convenient and accessible learning from anywhere in the U.S. — without geographical constraints.
  • Supportive online community and resources for networking and career development.

Inquire Today

Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Workforce Training Specialist today!

Thank you for your interest, you have an exciting journey ahead!

Schedule a call with your Workforce Development Specialist!