Online vs In-Person Training for Sterile Processing Technicians

The Online vs. On-Campus Debate

These days, future Sterile Processing Technicians have more learning options than ever. You can go the traditional on-campus route or choose a flexible online program. But does your choice actually impact your chances of getting hired? Let’s take a closer look.

On-Campus Programs

✅ Face-to-Face Learning: You get direct interaction with instructors and classmates.
✅ Hands-On Learning: Many programs offer lab time to practice techniques.
❌ Higher Costs: Tuition and fees are usually more expensive.
❌ Lack of Flexibility: Set schedules can be tough for those balancing jobs or family.

Online Programs

✅ Flexibility: Study at your own pace, whenever and wherever.
✅ Lower Costs: Online programs are often cheaper.
✅ Accessibility: Perfect for those balancing work, family, or other commitments.
❌ Less Interaction: You miss out on face-to-face mentorship.
❌ The Experience Gap: Hands-on training isn’t always included.

What Employers REALLY Care About

Here’s the truth: Employers care WAY MORE about your hands-on experience than where you studied.
If you’re hiring someone to work in a high-stakes environment like sterile processing, you want to know that they can do the job, not just read about it. You want someone who has been in the trenches, managing instruments, navigating decontamination processes, and following protocols with precision.

This is why externships are so critical!

Why Externships Are Your Golden Ticket

Unfortunately, most sterile processing programs—online and on-campus—don’t include externships. That leaves you without the real-world experience employers are searching for. And finding a hospital or facility willing to let you volunteer can feel nearly impossible.

Imagine this: You spend a year completing your coursework, rack up a bunch of student loan debt, and when it’s time to get hands-on experience, your school leaves you high and dry. That’s not just frustrating—it’s wrong.

The real issue isn’t whether you took your classes online or in person. The problem is whether your program connected you with the practical experience that builds skills and makes you a competitive candidate.

What Makes Preppy’s Program Different?

This is why I always recommend Preppy’s Sterile Processing Program. Unlike many others, Preppy offers both online coursework AND a hands-on externship. You get the flexibility of learning at your own pace while also gaining real-world experience in a healthcare facility.

You’re not just book-smart about sterile processing concepts—you’re job-ready because you’ve applied those concepts with your own hands.

Statistics You Should Know (2024 Data)

• 75% of sterile processing employers consider hands-on experience equally important to classroom training.
• 82% of hiring managers state they are open to hiring graduates from online sterile processing programs as long as they have clinical hands-on-experience.
• 44% of sterile processing graduates struggle to find externships, especially those who attended schools that did not offer placement assistance.
• Sterile Processing Technicians with externship experience are 50% more likely to get hired than those without.

Hands-On Experience = Confidence + Competence

Hands-on experience isn’t just about looking good on your resume. It’s about becoming genuinely competent. When you’ve actually worked with instruments, gone through the decontamination process, and managed high-pressure situations, you’re prepared for the real world.

And guess what? That practical knowledge helps you ace interviews, too. When employers ask you about handling sterilization techniques or solving specific challenges, you can speak from real experience, not just theory.

How to Make the Most of Your Externship

An externship is more than just training—it’s a job interview. When you walk into that facility, bring your A-game. Even if the facility can’t offer you a position afterward, they can still be a great reference if you’ve made a solid impression.

Pro Tips for Your Externship:

1. Treat It Like a Job: Show up on time, work hard, and be professional.

2. Ask Questions: You’re there to learn. Take advantage of it!

3. Make Connections: Build relationships with supervisors and colleagues.

4. Leave a Positive Impression: Even if they can’t hire you, a good reference can go a long way.

The Bottom Line

Whether you choose an online sterile processing course or an on-campus program, make sure it offers hands-on training or an externship. This practical experience is what will make you stand out in a competitive job market. And if you’re considering online programs, check out Preppy’s program—they’ve got the right mix of flexibility and real-world experience to get you where you want to be.

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