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Central Service Technician, Central Supply Aide, Medical Device Reprocessing Technician, Sterile Processing Technician, Sterile Processors
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Surgical processors’ main duty is to prevent and control infection. They apply critical infection-prevention and -control standards and strategies to all tasks. The extent of their duties depends on the size of the facility. It also depends on the mix of equipment.
In general, surgical processor duties fall into the below categories.
Decontaminate Instruments:
Assemble Instruments:
Sterilize Instruments:
Assemble and Distribute Case Carts:
Other:
Surgical processors typically work in acute care settings (e.g. hospitals). These settings are fast-paced, noisy, and stressful. They can also work in dental and eye clinics and any related field where instruments or supplies must be cleaned and sterilized.
Most central supply (also known as medical device reprocessing) departments are set up like an assembly line. They have various stations and processes. These differ from one facility to the next. However, most include areas for:
Surgical processors often rotate through different workstations. They must learn the processes and techniques for each area. The tasks they perform at any one station can be repetitive.
Surgical processors work with various detergents, sterilants, and chemicals, and must follow safety procedures. These procedures reduce risk of exposure to biohazard materials. They also reduce risk of injury from hot surfaces and sharp instruments.
Surgical processors stand for most of their shift. They routinely handle items that weigh up to 10 kilograms and sometimes up to 18 kilograms. They also move loaded carts that weigh up to 110 kilograms. They wear uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE) during their shift. They must be able to tolerate:
Hospital central supply or sterile medical device reprocessing departments may operate 24 hours a day. Surgical processors work shifts that may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Most staffing is required during hours when surgeries are performed (Monday to Friday during the day). A small number of staff work after hours and weekends.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Sterile processing technicians
2023 OaSIS: 33109.06
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Surgical processors need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 102 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2024 and Oct 24, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 55 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 55 |
| Tasks: Organize and maintain inventory | 51 |
| Tasks: Clean and maintain equipment | 51 |
| Tasks: Schedule and confirm appointments | 50 |
| Tasks: Perform general clerical duties | 50 |
| Tasks: Prepare and maintain equipment and supplies | 50 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 47 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 45 |
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 41 |
Some surgical processors receive on-the-job training, but employers generally look for candidates with:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Surgical processors are required to have valid certification before starting employment.
Alberta Health Services expects anyone working in surgical processing, endoscopy departments, or any department performing sterilization of reusable medical devices to be certified in one of two recognized certification programs:
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Surgical processors work in:
Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other assisting occupations in support of health services
2016 NOC: 3414
83.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $31.41 | $20.16 | $19.00 |
| Overall | $19.00 | $31.41 | $23.85 | $22.00 |
| Top | $20.90 | $77.45 | $30.62 | $26.27 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $45,864 |
|---|---|
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $31,891 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $46,249 |
Alberta Health Services website: www.albertahealthservices.ca
CSA Group website, health care and medical devices training: www.csagroup.org/store/
Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) website: www.myhspa.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
