Medical Equipment Preparer

Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Central Sterile Technician (Central Sterile Tech); Central Supply Processing Department Technician (CSPDT); Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST); CRCST (Certified Registered Central Supply Technician); CSS Technician (Central Sterile Supply Technician); CST (Central Service Technician); Equipment Technician (Equipment Tech); Sterile Preparation Technician (Sterile Preparation Tech); Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (SPD Tech); Sterile Technician (Sterile Tech)

Tasks

• Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
• Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
• Record sterilizer test results.
• Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
• Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
• Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
• Disinfect and sterilize equipment, such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment, using sterilizers, aerators, or washers.
• Purge wastes from equipment by connecting equipment to water sources and flushing water through systems.
• Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
• Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.
• Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
• Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Biology
• Production and Processing
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Perceptual Speed
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension
• Category Flexibility
• Trunk Strength
• Inductive Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Visualization
• Control Precision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Static Strength