A high school diploma and either work experience or a relevant post-secondary certification are typically required to work as a central supply technician. That means, depending on your personal preferences and abilities, you can pursue one of two primary career paths in this field. After graduating from high school or passing an equivalency test, one option is to work for a medical facility. Because becoming a technician usually requires at least one year of work experience, you should start with an entry-level job and inquire about opportunities to advance to the central supply department. Another option is to get a certificate from a vocational school or community college, which will allow you to work as a central supply technician in a variety of settings.
Sterile processing, central service, and central supply technicians work in a variety of medical facilities’ sterile processing, central service, and central supply departments. These departments are in charge of maintaining inventory supplies of sterile equipment and other items, as well as distributing them to the facility’s various departments. Central supply technicians are usually experts in inventory control, sterilization methods, and infection control, as well as being familiar with a wide range of medical equipment and supplies. That means these technicians must have extensive work experience or have completed post-secondary education.
Because the specific job requirements for becoming a central supply technician can differ from one facility to the next, you should check with local hospitals and other potential employers. However, most jobs require a high school diploma, so if you don’t have one, you’ll need to finish your education or pass an equivalency test before applying. After that, look for a hospital or other facility that uses a sterile processing or central supply department and apply for entry-level positions there. You may have enough work experience after one or more years in that environment to become a central supply technician; with this in mind, it’s a good idea to discuss this goal with potential employers when applying.
If you’d rather go to school and earn a certificate, that’s usually possible as well. You’ll need to look for a certificate program in sterile processing or central supply at nearvocational schools and community colleges. You should be qualified to work as a central supply technician after completing this type of program. To advance in this field or move into a supervisory position, you may need to obtain additional certifications, degrees, or work experience.