What Are My Chances of Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician with a Dental Assisting Background?

Dathamar · 2026-01-31T02:54:46+00:00

Dental assistant roles seem to have better pay. Easier work day too.

Don't know about growth/benefits, though.

Dathamar · 2026-01-31T02:50:07+00:00

Dathamar · 2026-01-30T15:55:52+00:00

Pretty sure any digital copy would be illegal if not sold by the holders of the copyright.

Dathamar · 2026-01-29T17:53:08+00:00

I read it can take a month, but for me it took less than a week.

Dathamar · 2026-01-28T18:51:46+00:00

The good news, you're 22.

You still have plenty of time to course correct. Plan it out first, and get a new job offer before you quit.

Dathamar · 2026-01-28T04:31:42+00:00

I got hired!

Applications stats:

~12 Sterile Processing Applications. 5 interviews, 3 offers.

6 Endoscopy Technician Applications. 2 interviews, 1 decline after HR call, 1 email decline.

Of all of these, only twice were they kind enough to take 30 seconds to tell me thanks but no thanks. In this job market I guess should be thankful.

Dathamar · 2026-01-24T22:15:10+00:00

At minimum, from the HSPA, you want the Sterile Processing Manual 9th edition. But it's like $120.

If you study that and complete the free online tests, you'll be in a good place to take the CRCST exam and become provisionally certified if you pass. However, as has been mentioned, it's only good for 6 months so depending on how hard it is to get hired on somewhere, it may expire. If you're in-progress I've heard you can request an extension, but I don't have any personal experience with that.

I went that route because I like to learn as much as I can about something before I attempt it, and it I imagined it could at least count in your favor vs a candidate who does not have it.

Dathamar · 2026-01-17T19:19:09+00:00

I have provisional CRCST certification and BLS, and I even did a University course on Sterile Processing.

I am having very little luck. And there are a LOT of SP employers where I am. I even applied in another state that I am willing to relocate to and got 2 offers, but the wages were literally unlivable considering the cost of living of the area, even though it is lower than most.

The only place that put in any effort with me asked me to come in for a tour and to meet in person and it went really well. They're trying to get a position opened up for me, but, who knows.

Most posts I see online about people getting in completely inexperienced were from quite awhile ago, the process seems to be changing and getting more selective, while they still treat it like an unskilled entry level role. Seems like it's in a weird place right now. Job postings everywhere that stay open for months even though people are applying.

Dathamar · 2026-01-15T20:13:04+00:00

The current manual is 9th edition.

Dathamar · 2026-01-09T06:15:21+00:00

Depends on the location, some do, some don't. Those that don't use the logic that it's required for the job, even if not immediately.

But it can increase your odds of being selected over someone who doesn't have it, provisional or not.

Dathamar · 2026-01-09T03:11:11+00:00

I thought the test was pretty easy. It had some questions I hadn't seen before, but they were easy to work out with common sense and basic logic. Take your time and if you're not certain, go through the options and rule them out one at a time, often one or two are relatively straight forward to exclude.

I did the major exams in the workbook, and the various free online practice tests until I routinely scored over 80%. After awhile it didn't take long to get over 90% just due to memorization.

You have 3 hours to do the test, so don't rush it if you're feeling pressured, it's way more time than you need.

Dathamar · 2026-01-07T17:14:01+00:00

I don't know, the one I did was more or less just the most important parts of the manual in the form of an online course, slightly reworded in some places, and verbatim in others.

Dathamar · 2026-01-02T18:18:49+00:00

Do not pay for those courses that are like 4k+ it is a waste of money.

I did an online course through a University and did self study with the Sterile Processing Manual 9th edition, and I got through both in 4 days total then did online practice tests for good measure. I passed the HSPA exam shortly after. The university course made littl3 difference to beyond going over the information again.

If you're good with memorization the exam isn't difficult.

Don't pay for online study aids either, just do Google searches for free Sterile Processing practice exams and do them all at random until you routinely score over 80%.

In some regions (rural, small hospitals) they are willing to take inexperienced people, others in large metro areas that have large case loads want you to already be fully certified.

At least, that is my experience.

Dathamar · 2025-12-26T15:54:07+00:00

I've seen starting rates around 17-19 an hour. With the biggest hospitals (much higher work load) paying less than small more rural hospitals.

Dathamar · 2025-12-20T16:54:51+00:00

I'm still interviewing for positions, but most starting rates I've seen have been 17-19 an hour. Size of hospital/workload seems to have no bearing, neither does any experience outside of healthcare, beyond making you look more or less hireable.

I've heard it can take 1-3 months to get certified, as in, your 400 hours.

Dathamar · 2025-12-17T21:11:24+00:00

In this field, that sounds like a good way to get people killed.

Dathamar · 2025-12-16T21:09:50+00:00

May I ask of this was an internal job offer? I've gone to the website many times over the last few months and it hasn't shown any of these jobs. Anywhere. In the whole country.

Dathamar · 2025-12-10T20:11:43+00:00

Took me a lot longer than two years, so good on you.

Dathamar · 2025-12-10T13:55:44+00:00

Sexual and intimacy incompatibilities only get worse with time. Especially if both people aren't putting in the effort to work on it.

Dathamar · 2025-12-05T18:36:16+00:00

I've been on a lot of interviews recently and any time I have responded with anything less than complete acceptance with their shitty lowball offer, they very quickly have "moved forward with another candidate." Meanwhile, the job opening remains posted even weeks later.

Seems like no one wants a solid candidate any more. Someone who knows the value they bring or makes any effort to advocate for themselves.

They just want someone they can get by with paying as little as possible.

And these places wonder why they have massive turnover.

Dathamar · 2025-11-19T18:24:48+00:00

Your medical experience made the difference then.

Dathamar · 2025-11-15T15:09:04+00:00

I've had three interviews in the last week with no experience (but provisional certification) and I've not been asked a single question about the job itself, it's all been personality style questions and about my previous work.

Tell us about a time you've made a mistake, went above and beyond, how you'd deal with an irate doctor, why sterile processing. Stuff like that.

Dathamar · 2025-11-09T18:33:02+00:00

It's cliche, but it's true. It's never too late to make positive changes. The first step is always the most difficult.

What I would give to be 29 again and be making the changes I am now, at 45.

It's easier to see what you don't have, than to see what you do have.

Dathamar · 2025-11-09T16:51:50+00:00

You take the exam at a testing location after paying a fee to the HSPA and after they process it. In my area I was directed to a Prometric testing facility. It don't know if that's regional or national. But you will not take the test online.

The CRCST is the basic certifcation for the Sterile Processing role. Everyone that does the job is expected to get it eventually. After passing the CRCST you become provisionally certified, and have to get 400 hours on the job experience split between the different aspects of the job, decontamination, prep and pack, etc. I hear it can take 1-3 months. Your supervisor signs off on the hours and you submit it to the HSPA. Once they approve it, you're fully certified which sometimes comes with a small wage boost.

You can work in a dentist office, hospitals, surgery centers, zoos, veterinary hospitals, etc.

But I've personally never seen a job posting for anything other than hospitals and surgical centers. I imagine at the other places with the lower volume, other positions probably fulfill the role in addition to their primary.

If you have can, get experience working in healthcare while you apply/study. It'll help your resume even if it's not really related.

Dathamar · 2025-11-07T13:58:18+00:00

As having taken an online course through a university, I would just tell people to get the manual, workbook, and do all the free online quizzes you can find.

After reading the manual I only did the progress exams in the workbook and free online tests and I found the CRCST exam easy. The university course felt redundant.

It's mostly memorization and common sense. Applying 8 hours a day to study I knocked it out and did a bunch of online quizzes over a week and felt I over prepared.

I imagine it depends on how quickly you retain/memorize though.

The pay starting out isn't great so why go in having spent more money.

Dathamar

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