Occupation · SOC 31-9093
Medical Equipment Preparers
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
Median wage
$46,490
$35,400–$67,070
Projected growth
+10.1%
Faster than average
Annual openings
760
per year
Employed (US)
72,760
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
24 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisMonitoringOperations MonitoringActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingTroubleshooting
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageBiologyProduction and ProcessingPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Calendar and scheduling softwareData base user interface and query softwareMedical softwareElectronic mail softwareInventory management software
Representative tasks
Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.Record sterilizer test results.Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.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.Deliver equipment to specified hospital locations or to patients' residences.Assist hospital staff with patient care duties, such as providing transportation or setting up traction.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Steam autoclave controls and cycle parameters — identify and monitor under direct supervision in a hospital central sterile processing unit.Surgical instruments and basic cleaning protocols — follow step-by-step procedures to manually clean and decontaminate items in a designated decontamination area.Sterilizer test results and log sheets — record data accurately under supervisor guidance using standardized forms in a healthcare facility.Routine surgical instrument trays — assemble components according to a printed count sheet under close oversight in a sterile processing department.Medical equipment surfaces and components — inspect visually for obvious damage, leaks, or wear as part of a structured checklist routine.Defective or malfunctioning equipment — report findings promptly to a supervising technician or charge nurse following facility escalation procedures.Crash cart supply checklists — stock and verify contents under direction in an acute care setting using a prescribed item list.Basic inventory tracking forms and software — enter equipment usage data under guidance using facility inventory management software.Personal protective equipment and safety protocols — apply consistently when handling contaminated instruments in the decontamination zone.O*NET and facility orientation materials — read and comprehend written instructions to follow new procedures in a hospital sterile processing environment.
developing
Steam autoclave loads and maintenance logs — operate equipment and maintain complete records of cycles, load contents, and routine maintenance in a central sterile unit with minimal oversight.Multi-step instrument cleaning and decontamination workflows — perform routinely and efficiently across a variety of instrument types in a busy surgical services department.Sterilizer biological and chemical indicator tests — conduct, interpret, and document results independently according to facility policy and accreditation standards.Specialty surgical instrument trays and custom supply kits — organize and assemble accurately by referencing specialty preference cards in a sterile processing department.Medical equipment and devices — examine systematically for wear, loose parts, and functional defects during scheduled inspection rounds in a clinical support area.Inventory levels for medical instruments and supplies — monitor usage trends and initiate reorder requests through inventory management software before stock reaches critical levels.Crash carts and emergency supply stations — restock and document completeness after each use in compliance with facility protocols and regulatory requirements.Equipment deficiency reports — communicate clearly to supervisors and clinical staff using established incident reporting channels and electronic messaging systems.Scheduling and workload prioritization tools — use calendar and time-accounting software to manage daily assignments and meet surgical case start times.Sterilization and processing quality standards — apply critical thinking to identify non-conforming loads and escalate appropriately within a hospital sterile processing department.
proficient
Full autoclave and sterile processing operations — manage independently across all load types, troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, and maintain compliant records in a high-volume surgical facility.Complex and delicate surgical instrument sets — clean, inspect, assemble, and sterilize without oversight, ensuring instrument integrity for specialty procedures in an acute care hospital.Sterilization quality control program — analyze indicator results, identify failure patterns, and implement corrective actions to maintain compliance with AAMI and Joint Commission standards.Specialty and urgent surgical tray requests — fulfill accurately under time pressure by applying deep knowledge of surgical preference cards and instrument functions in a perioperative setting.Equipment inspection and preventive maintenance schedules — conduct comprehensive evaluations, document findings, and coordinate repairs with biomedical engineering in a healthcare organization.Departmental inventory management system — oversee par-level maintenance, reconcile usage data, and generate reorder requisitions using integrated supply chain and inventory software.Crash cart and emergency supply readiness programs — audit stock, verify expiration dates, and ensure regulatory compliance across multiple care units in a hospital environment.Cross-functional communication with surgical and nursing teams — coordinate instrument availability, communicate equipment status, and resolve supply issues in real time during surgical scheduling.New staff orientation and on-the-job coaching — guide entry-level preparers through instrument processing workflows and safety protocols in a central sterile processing department.Non-routine and high-risk sterilization scenarios — apply judgment and troubleshooting skills to resolve equipment failures or recall situations with minimal disruption to surgical services.
advanced
Sterile processing department policies and standards — develop, implement, and update procedures aligned with regulatory, accreditation, and infection control requirements across a healthcare system.Quality assurance and sterilization monitoring programs — design and lead organization-wide auditing processes that track outcomes, identify systemic risks, and drive continuous improvement.Equipment lifecycle and capital planning — evaluate aging sterilization and surgical instrument assets, recommend replacements, and present business cases to hospital administration.Departmental inventory and supply chain strategy — direct procurement decisions, vendor relationships, and materials requirements planning software configurations to optimize cost and availability across facilities.Competency validation and training curriculum — create and oversee formal training programs for medical equipment preparers, ensuring staff achieve and maintain certification standards.Cross-departmental collaboration and stakeholder leadership — partner with surgical services, infection prevention, and biomed leadership to align sterile processing performance with patient safety goals.Regulatory compliance and accreditation readiness — lead preparation for Joint Commission, CMS, and state health department inspections, managing documentation and corrective action plans.Technology adoption and digital transformation — evaluate, pilot, and implement new inventory management, scheduling, and tracking software platforms to improve departmental efficiency and traceability.Performance metrics and reporting — establish key performance indicators, analyze departmental data using spreadsheet and database tools, and present findings to senior clinical and operational leadership.Organizational safety culture and risk management — champion infection prevention, equipment safety, and accountability practices that set the standard for sterile processing excellence across the healthcare organization.
Also known as
95 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Dental Assistant (Air Force 4Y0X1)Central Service Technician (CST)Biomedical Equipment Journeyman (Air Force 4A251)Surgical Technologist Craftsman, Orthopedics (Air Force 4N171C)Sterilization SpecialistRespiratory-Therapy AideBiomedical Equipment Superintendent (Air Force 4A291)Central Supply Processing Department Technician (CSPDT)Surgical Technologist Helper (Air Force 4N111)Surgical Technologist Craftsman, Urology (Air Force 4N171B)Surgical Technologist Apprentice (Air Force 4N131)Surgical Technologist Helper, Urology (Air Force 4N111B)Central Sterilization TechnicianSurgical Technologist (Navy 001372)Supply TechnicianSurgical Technologist Journeyman, Urology (Air Force 4N151B)Surgical Sterile Processing Technician (Surgical Sterile Processing Tech)Surgical Technologist Journeyman, Orthopedics (Air Force 4N151C)Instrumentation Technician (Instrumentation Tech)Surgical Technologist Craftsman (Air Force 4N171)Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force 4A091)Aerospace Medical Service Manager (Air Force 4N000)Central Processing Technician (CPT)Surgical Instrument Technician (Surgical Instrument Tech)Hot PackerBiomedical Equipment Apprentice (Air Force 4A231)Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force 4A071S)Instrument TechnicianSterile Processing and Distribution Technician (SPD Tech)Surgical Technologist (Air Force 4N1X1)Sugical Technologist (Navy L23A)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Medical Equipment PreparerHealth Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Biomedical Equipment Helper (Air Force 4A211)Sterile ProcessorHealth Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Reuse TechnicianMedical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard MED)