Occupation Details
Medical Equipment Preparers
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$36,740.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$50,260.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$54,850.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
4,180
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
4,830
+65 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
612
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Aerators
- Automatic dryers
- Bar code scanners
- Bowie Dick test packs
- Chemical sterilization indicators
- Cleaning or sterilizing scrubbing brushes
- Computerized scope washers
- Desktop computers
- Equipment bar code readers
- Gas sterilizers
- Heat-sealer machines
- Hot air sterilizers
- Laboratory glass flasks
- Medical examination protective gloves
- Ozone sterilizers
- Padded gloves
- Plasma gas sterilizers
- Pressure regulation monitors
- Prevacuum sterilizers
- Protective caps
- Protective ear plugs
- Protective gowns
- Protective masks
- Protective medical aprons
- Spore strips
- Sterilizers
- Temperature monitors
- Temperature tracing and recording thermometers
- Ultrasonic cleaners
Technology
- Calendar software
- Database software
- Email software
- Inventory tracking software
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- MEDITECH Supply Chain Management
- MEDITECH software
- McKesson ANSOS One-Staff
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft SharePoint Server
- Microsoft Word
- Pyxis MedStation software
- Spreadsheet software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- clean equipment or machinery
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
- set up or calibrate laboratory equipment
- maintain records, reports, or files
- set up medical oxygen equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use medical diagnostic equipment
- use respiratory equipment
- apply cleaning solvents
- lift or transport ill or injured patients
- set up patient care equipment
- prepare supplies or equipment for surgery
- sterilize or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment
- sterilize or disinfect instruments
- examine equipment to detect disrepair
- monitor equipment or machine operation to detect problems
- inventory medical supplies or instruments
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Disinfect and sterilize equipment, such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment, using sterilizers, aerators, or washers.
- Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
- Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.
- Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
- Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
- 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.
- Install and set up medical equipment, using hand tools.
- Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.
- Assist hospital staff with patient care duties, such as providing transportation or setting up traction.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.