Lead Sterile Processing Technician

About the role

The Sterile Processing Lead Technician provides day‑to‑day guidance and oversight of sterile processing operations to ensure instruments, trays, and equipment are properly decontaminated, assembled, sterilized, and distributed according to regulatory and hospital standards. This role supports training, quality assurance, and workflow coordination within the department while serving as a mentor and resource to team members.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day guidance and oversight of sterile processing operations.
• Ensure instruments, trays, and equipment are properly decontaminated, assembled, sterilized, and distributed per regulatory and hospital standards.
• Support training, quality assurance, and workflow coordination within the department.
• Serve as a mentor and resource to team members.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalency required.
• Current certification in sterile processing (CRCST – HSPA or CBSPD) must be maintained.
• Minimum of two (2) years of sterile processing experience, preferably in a hospital or surgical setting.
• Knowledge of sterilization principles, microbiology, and infection prevention practices.
• Knowledge of instrument names, functions, and specialty sets.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced environment.
• Basic computer proficiency for documentation and recordkeeping.
• Ability to perform job functions while standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, working indoors, working in confined/cramped spaces, working from elevated areas, bending, twisting, squatting, pinching, performing gross motor activities, firm grasping, fine manipulation, reaching overhead, performing repetitive motions, using both legs, using lower extremities for balance, and reaching in all directions.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs unassisted; lift/lower 50 lbs from floor to 36 inches; lift from 36″ to overhead 25 lbs; exert up to 50 lbs of force.
• Ability to maintain vision 20/40 corrected, see and recognize objects, match/discriminate colors, depth perception, and peripheral vision.
• Ability to maintain hearing acuity with correction.
• Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations.
• Ability to work rotating shifts and overtime as required.
• Ability to work in a latex‑safe environment.
• Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions.
• Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function (selected positions).
• Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required (selected positions).

Qualifications

• Advanced certification (CIS, CER, CHL