How to Become a Medical Supply Technician

Medical careers are frequently rewarding and can involve fascinating job duties. One important job title in the medical field is a medical supply technician, sometimes called a sterile processing technician. If you want to enter the medical field without attending medical school, it might be beneficial to consider becoming a medical supply technician. In this article, we discuss what a medical supply technician does and explore a list of steps that can help you start a career as a medical supply technician.

What is a Medical Supply Technician?

A medical supply technician is a technician who prepares medical tools and supplies for use by physicians and surgeons. Most medical supply technicians find employment in hospitals, clinics and other types of medical facilities. While a medical facility can contain several wards that provide multiple healthcare services to different patients at one time, medical supply technicians are typically stationed at one specific area of the facility where they maintain the cleanliness and safety of all medical supply items.

For example, a medical supply technician who focuses on distribution might work only in the central supply processing area, but another medical supply technician in the same facility might be assigned to take care of equipment in the pediatrics unit.

What does a Medical Supply Technician do?

A medical supply technician can have many responsibilities that relate to preparing, maintaining and distributing medical tools and equipment. One of the most common duties that a medical supply technician performs is sanitizing medical instruments and making sure that they're sterile. Medical supply technicians can also distribute new medical supplies to areas of a medical facility that need them, which can involve packaging tools to ensure they remain sterile throughout transportation.

Another responsibility that a medical supply technician usually has is inspecting medical supply items when they arrive at a facility to identify any damages or errors in products or packaging. Once a medical supply technician accepts a shipment of medical supplies, they can also unpack and assemble each item so that all supplies are ready for use.

Medical Supply Technician skills

A medical supply technician needs a few specific skills to succeed in their field. One of the most important skills for a medical supply technician to have can be the knowledge of how to sterilize supplies, as much of their job involves making sure that tools and equipment are sterile and clean. A medical supply technician should also have excellent attention to detail in order to enhance their abilities to identify potential flaws in packaging or medical products a facility receives.

Another skill that can benefit medical supply technicians in their careers is communication. This is because they frequently have to communicate with fellow technicians and other medical professionals in their facilities to get details about where to deliver equipment, which tools need cleaning and which areas of the hospital they might be stationed at on a certain day.

How to become a Medical Supply Technician

Here are some steps you can use to start your career as a medical supply technician:

1. Earn a high school diploma

Graduating from high school or obtaining a GED equivalent to a high school diploma is the first step toward becoming a medical supply technician. This is because many employers only ask for medical supply technicians to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent to work in the field. Having a high school diploma can also confirm your age to employers, as most employers require that medical supply technicians be at least 18 years old.

Completing high school can also enhance your job application if you take classes and engage in extracurricular activities that relate to the medical field and sterilizing materials, as it can provide you with the basic skills you need to succeed as a medical supply technician.

2. Gain professional experience

Once you have your high school diploma or GED, you can begin applying for jobs that can prepare you for work as a medical supply technician. While medical supply technicians often receive some training on the job, many aspiring medical supply technicians gain a few years of experience in medical settings first. This can allow you to build your expertise of the medical industry and learn how to perform duties that a medical supply technician is typically responsible for, like sterilizing equipment and inspecting shipments of medical supplies.

Here are a few jobs that might help you gain professional experience:

•Surgical technician

•Customer service representative

•Medical assistant

•Pharmacy aide

•Laboratory assistant

3. Consider certification

Having certification is typically voluntary for medical supply technicians. However, earning certification is a great way to enhance your credentials and show that you're qualified and passionate about your industry. There are several certifications that can be beneficial for a medical supply technician, and one of the most popular is the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification. You can obtain CRCST certification by completing a written exam and renewing your credential every year. Here are a few more certifications that a medical supply technician might consider applying for:

•Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

•Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

•Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)

•OSHA Safety Certificate

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