All About Medical Equipment Preparers
Position Description Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
Daily Life Of a Medical Equipment Preparer
- Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.
- Assist hospital staff with patient care duties, such as providing transportation or setting up traction.
- Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
- Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
- Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.
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Medical Equipment Preparer Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Medical Equipment Preparers say are important on the job.
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
- Oxygen Equipment Aide
- Central Sterile Technician
- Sanitarian Aide
- Equipment Technician
- Surgery Technician (Surgery Tech)
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.
Salary for a Medical Equipment Preparer
The typical yearly salary for Medical Equipment Preparers is somewhere between $25,350 and $53,540.

Medical Equipment Preparers who work in California, Alaska, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Medical Equipment Preparers make in different U.S. states?
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 do Medical Equipment Preparers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Medical Equipment Preparers:
- 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 kind of Medical Equipment Preparer requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Medical Equipment Preparer?

Medical Equipment Preparers Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Medical Equipment Preparer may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Medical Equipment Preparer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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