Travel Sterile Processor Tech Jobs
Make a difference as an SPT traveler
Techs are part of nearly every healthcare team but two of these professionals, operating room technicians and sterile processing technicians, specifically play crucial roles during surgical procedures. A sterile processing technician (SPT), or sterile processor, spends time sterilizing equipment, surgical instruments and medical supplies for reuse, often in the OR or the lab.
You can live and work as a tech in the location of your dreams and get paid to do it as a traveling medical professional. You choose your next adventure as you take your skills on the road to healthcare facilities across the nation.
What does a travel sterile processing technician do?
This position is vital in keeping patients and medical staff safe and requires a vigorous adherence to sterilization processes on a daily basis. Travel sterile processing technicians are pivotal in preventing infections in the healthcare setting by ensuring that surgeons and other healthcare professionals have access to sterile, well-functioning instruments and medical equipment when they need them.
Typical Travel Sterile Processing Tech Responsibilities:
- Sterilize and decontaminate medical equipment, instruments, and supplies
- Package and prepare instruments for sterilization and operate sterilizing devices
- Arrange and store sterile supplies in an organized manner
- Conduct routine checks to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly
Choose where you go
With opportunities for new graduates all over the country, we’ve selected areas with the most popular medical traveling jobs to help you find your best fit.
Advantages & Perks for Travel Tech Jobs
Competitive pay
Medical travelers are competitive and financially unique to fit your tech skills and desired travel lifestyle. Did we mention that you’ll know your compensation upfront before you apply?
Per diem
When you become a travel tech, you can take advantage of the weekly, tax-free per diem to help cover daily expenses, like transportation and meals.
Certifications
You need certifications before you get on your way, traveler! Your state licenses and certification costs are covered, so you can get and stay qualified.
Travel life
When you’re a medical traveler you get to combine your love of travel with your ambition of your career. Plus, you’ll get hands-on experience in your field while experiencing new things in your locations as you go.
Medical Traveler Compliance & Licensure
Being a travel tech can help you achieve the career you’ve always wanted, but what if your dream travel assignment is asking for certifications you don’t have? No biggie. Your tech training, licensing, and certifications are covered with financial assistance.
Degrees and Certifications
In order to be a traveling medical professional, you need to be compliant in the states where you want to work. It sounds harder than it really is. You’ll get the support and certifications you need in your correlating specialty (or modality). Compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to make sure that you have all the relevant credentials required to work travel radiology tech jobs.
Compliance Requirements
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty.
The three parts of compliance
- Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
- Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
- Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
FAQs
How do you become a sterile processing tech?
Your journey begins with obtaining a high school diploma or an equivalent such as a GED. While not always mandatory, employers often prefer candidates who have completed a surgical technology program accredited by an approving body at a vocational school, community college, or online. These programs typically take less than a year to complete and cover topics like sterilization practices, infection control, and medical terminology.
Upon completion of your education or training, consider becoming a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT). The certification is offered by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM). To obtain certification, you'll need to pass an exam. Certification can increase your employment opportunities and potentially lead to higher pay.
How do you become an OR tech?
The minimum educational requirement for most OR tech positions is a high school diploma or GED. You'll need to complete an accredited Surgical Technologist program, which is often offered at community colleges or vocational schools. These programs typically take between a few months and two years to complete, culminating in a diploma, certificate, or associate's degree.
A certified surgical technologist (CST) certification can be offered through either the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). The NBSTSA is always accepted by hospitals, but the NCCT is only accepted by some. Some states now mandate CST requirement.
Where can you find travel sterile processing tech or OR tech jobs?
Job opportunities for both OR and sterile processing techs are widespread and varied. Primarily, these professionals are employed in hospitals, where most surgical procedures take place. However, they can also find work in outpatient care centers, dental offices, and specialist clinics that have operating rooms. Additionally, jobs in these fields can be found in medical and diagnostic laboratories, as well as ambulatory surgical centers.
Will taking a travel tech job help my healthcare career?
Travel jobs are beneficial because it exposes you to different regional imaging procedures and patient populations, provide the opportunity to explore new specialties, and gain experience learning a new clinical environment quickly.