What is a Medical Equipment Preparer?

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

A Day in the Life of a Medical Equipment Preparer

• Purge wastes from equipment by connecting equipment to water sources and flushing water through systems.
• Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.
• Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.
• Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
• Deliver equipment to specified hospital locations or to patients’ residences.
• Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Medical Equipment Preparer?

Medical Equipment Preparers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Laboratory Equipment Cleaner
• Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician)
• Bandage Maker
• Laboratory Worker, Washing or Cleaning Laboratory Apparatus
• Medical Supply Technician

What Kind of Medical Equipment Preparer Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 54,200 jobs for Medical Equipment Preparers in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,000 new jobs for Medical Equipment Preparers by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,600 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Medical Equipment Preparers are California, Florida, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Medical Equipment Preparer Make?

Medical Equipment Preparers Make between $25,350 and $53,540 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $36,240.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
California	$47,430
Massachusetts	$46,570
Alaska	$46,320
Nevada	$44,830
Hawaii	$43,600
Rhode Island	$43,460
New York	$43,450
Minnesota	$43,060
District of Columbia	$42,830
Maryland	$42,160
Colorado	$41,600
Oregon	$40,740
Washington	$40,470
Connecticut	$40,270
Delaware	$39,700
New Jersey	$39,420
Wyoming	$38,890
Illinois	$37,810
New Hampshire	$37,380
Virginia	$36,790
Arizona	$36,660
Utah	$36,600
New Mexico	$36,210
North Dakota	$36,120
Michigan	$35,730
Ohio	$35,710
Arkansas	$35,540
Nebraska	$35,460
Vermont	$35,380
Wisconsin	$35,240
Iowa	$35,150
West Virginia	$34,990
Indiana	$34,930
Pennsylvania	$34,790
Kansas	$34,440
Georgia	$34,430
Kentucky	$34,400
Maine	$34,380
Texas	$33,920
South Carolina	$33,470
Idaho	$33,410
Florida	$32,650
Tennessee	$32,480
Missouri	$32,320
South Dakota	$32,070
North Carolina	$31,900
Louisiana	$31,710
Montana	$31,510
Oklahoma	$31,430
Mississippi	$30,420
Alabama	$28,120

Tools & Technologies Used by Medical Equipment Preparers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Medical Equipment Preparers:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Word
• MEDITECH software
• Microsoft Office

How to Become a Medical Equipment Preparer

What education or degrees do I need to become a Medical Equipment Preparer?

How Long Does it Take to Become Medical Equipment Preparer?

Who Employs Medical Equipment Preparers?

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Medical Equipment Preparer may also be interested in:

• Dietetic Technicians
• Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers

Career changers with experience as a Medical Equipment Preparer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Radiation Therapists

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons