All About Medical Equipment Preparers
Job Description & Duties 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
- Record sterilizer test results.
- Deliver equipment to specified hospital locations or to patients' residences.
- Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
- Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
- Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
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Qualities of 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.
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.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Medical Equipment Preparer
- Medical Supply Technician
- Surgery Technician (Surgery Tech)
- Oxygen Equipment Preparer
- Equipment Technician
- Sterilization Specialist
What Kind of Medical Equipment Preparer Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 54,200 jobs in the United States for Medical Equipment Preparer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,000 new jobs for Medical Equipment Preparer by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,600 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Medical Equipment Preparer are Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Illinois, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Medical Equipment Preparer Average Salary
Medical Equipment Preparers make between $25,350 and $53,540 a year.

Medical Equipment Preparers who work in California, Alaska, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Medical Equipment Preparers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $28,120 |
Alaska | $46,320 |
Arizona | $36,660 |
Arkansas | $35,540 |
California | $47,430 |
Colorado | $41,600 |
Connecticut | $40,270 |
Delaware | $39,700 |
District of Columbia | $42,830 |
Florida | $32,650 |
Georgia | $34,430 |
Hawaii | $43,600 |
Idaho | $33,410 |
Illinois | $37,810 |
Indiana | $34,930 |
Iowa | $35,150 |
Kansas | $34,440 |
Kentucky | $34,400 |
Louisiana | $31,710 |
Maine | $34,380 |
Maryland | $42,160 |
Massachusetts | $46,570 |
Michigan | $35,730 |
Minnesota | $43,060 |
Mississippi | $30,420 |
Missouri | $32,320 |
Montana | $31,510 |
Nebraska | $35,460 |
Nevada | $44,830 |
New Hampshire | $37,380 |
New Jersey | $39,420 |
New Mexico | $36,210 |
New York | $43,450 |
North Carolina | $31,900 |
North Dakota | $36,120 |
Ohio | $35,710 |
Oklahoma | $31,430 |
Oregon | $40,740 |
Pennsylvania | $34,790 |
Rhode Island | $43,460 |
South Carolina | $33,470 |
South Dakota | $32,070 |
Tennessee | $32,480 |
Texas | $33,920 |
Utah | $36,600 |
Vermont | $35,380 |
Virginia | $36,790 |
Washington | $40,470 |
West Virginia | $34,990 |
Wisconsin | $35,240 |
Wyoming | $38,890 |
What Tools & Technology do Medical Equipment Preparers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Medical Equipment Preparers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Inventory tracking software
- Kronos Workforce Timekeeper
- Pyxis MedStation software
- Calendar software
- McKesson ANSOS One-Staff
How to Become a Medical Equipment Preparer
What education is needed to be a Medical Equipment Preparer?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Medical Equipment Preparer?

Medical Equipment Preparers Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Medical Equipment Preparers employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Medical Equipment Preparer may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Medical Equipment Preparer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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