Medical Equipment Preparers
Overview
Medical Equipment Preparers ensure that all medical tools and equipment in hospitals and clinics are clean, sterile, and ready for use. You'll operate high-tech sterilization equipment like autoclaves, organize surgical instrument sets, stock emergency medical carts, and maintain detailed digital records of everything you process. This behind-the-scenes role requires attention to detail and teamwork with doctors and nurses, as your work directly impacts patient safety. Many people enter this field with a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training in medical terminology and sterilization techniques.
Did you know?
Most positions require completion of a specialized technical program or associate degree, along with manufacturer-specific certifications for medical equipment.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$44,949.22 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Active Listening
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
- Deliver equipment to specified hospital locations or to patients' residences.
- Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
- Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.
- Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
- Disinfect and sterilize equipment, such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment, using sterilizers, aerators, or washers.
- Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.
- Record sterilizer test results.
- Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
- Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
- Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
- Assist hospital staff with patient care duties, such as providing transportation or setting up traction.
- Purge wastes from equipment by connecting equipment to water sources and flushing water through systems.
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
Career Considerations
Certification and Training Requirements
Most positions require completion of a specialized technical program or associate degree, along with manufacturer-specific certifications for medical equipment.
Strong Job Growth Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average growth for this field due to aging population and advancing medical technology in American healthcare.
Demanding Work Environment
Technicians must work in sterile hospital environments, often on-call for emergency repairs, and handle critical life-support equipment requiring precision and reliability.