Onboarding plan
Sterile Processing Technician Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new sterile processing technician from first day to full productivity.
Sterile Processing Technician onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: washer-disinfectors and ultrasonic cleaners; steam autoclaves; low-temperature sterilizers (hydrogen peroxide); lighted magnifiers
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Sterile Processing Technician training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Wear full PPE in decontamination
- Handle sharps and heavy trays carefully
- Protect yourself from steam burns when unloading sterilizers
- Follow chemical safety data sheets for detergents and sterilants
- Shadow an experienced sterile processing technician through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: decontaminate surgical instruments
- Supervised practice: assemble and wrap an instrument tray
- Supervised practice: run and document a steam sterilizer load
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Collect and decontaminate used instruments and devices: independently
- Inspect instruments for cleanliness, function and damage: independently
- Assemble instrument trays using count sheets: independently
- Package and label items for sterilization: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST))
- Discuss the career path: Sterile Processing Trainee → Certified Sterile Processing Technician → Lead Technician or Instrument Specialist
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decontaminate Surgical Instruments | |||
| Assemble and Wrap an Instrument Tray | |||
| Run and Document a Steam Sterilizer Load | |||
| Decontamination procedures | |||
| Instrument identification | |||
| Tray assembly and count sheets | |||
| Sterilizer operation |
How to measure onboarding success
- Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
- Competency sign-offs completed on time
- Documentation or charting error rate
- 90-day retention
How Sterile Processing Technician training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Sterile Processing Technician Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Sterile Processing Technician Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Sterile Processing Technician Career
- Final Knowledge Check