Medical Equipment Preparers

What the job really is

Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Support
• O*NET-SOC code: 31-9093
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
• Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
• Record sterilizer test results.
• Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
• Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
• Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
• 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• Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
• Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.
• Disinfect and sterilize equipment, such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment, using sterilizers, aerators, or washers.

Tools and technology

Kronos Workforce Timekeeper, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software, Aerators, Automatic dryers, Bar code scanners

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Surgical Technologists
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Endoscopy Technicians
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Surgical Assistants
• Histotechnologists
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Medical Equipment Preparers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.