Sterile Processing Technician II (Sign on Bonus Eligible)

About the Role

This role focuses on support services functions, including dietary and food services, environmental services, general facilities, repair and maintenance, parking, sterilization, and transportation to ensure all required support activities are completed in a timely manner and meet the organization's quality standards. Specifically, this position performs Sterilization Services duties such as maintaining sterile equipment, assembling medical equipment, managing inventory, ordering supplies, and providing life-saving instruments for medical procedures.

This is a clinical technologist role requiring specialized knowledge or skills gained through vocational education, training, and experience. It is an experienced-level position requiring basic knowledge of job procedures and tools obtained through work experience and vocational or technical education. The role operates under moderate supervision, handling routine problems while occasionally requiring interpretation or deviation from standard procedures.

Responsibilities

• Receives soiled, used, and/or contaminated equipment, surgical instruments, scopes, and supplies from Operating Rooms, patient care units, and specialized areas; documents arrival and cleaning process using asset tracking software.
• Disassembles items as needed and selects the appropriate cleaning method.
• Identifies items in need of repair upon receipt and ensures information is maintained during the cleaning process.
• Utilizes manual cleaning tools (e.g., instrument brushes, enzymatic detergent, flushing devices, ultrasonic bath, leak testers) to achieve instrument decontamination.
• Operates automated cleaning tools, including loading and selecting appropriate cycles on automated washers.
• Documents all work performed using instrument tracking software.
• Inspects and assembles all equipment, instruments, scopes, and instrument sets following product recipes; verifies functionality, cleanliness, and completeness.
• Documents missing items from instrument sets and escalates issues to the SPD Supervisor or designee.
• Selects appropriate packaging methods, including sterilization accessories (e.g., corner protectors), and ensures external indicators/labels are securely affixed.
• Transports items to sterilization as needed and selects the appropriate sterilization method (e.g., Steam, Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma).
• Inspects packages to ensure all external indicators, filters, and labels are securely affixed; returns unsatisfactory products to the instrument room.
• Loads sterilizers appropriately, including biological testing as required.
• Performs routine sterilizer testing and maintenance, such as biological monitoring, leak tests, Bowie Dick tests, and daily/weekly sterilizer maintenance.
• Interprets and documents sterilizer test results according to established policies; escalates positive results as needed.
• Utilizes patient-specific pick lists to gather surgical instruments and disposable supplies requested by surgeons or Peri-Operative representatives.
• Documents the case cart build process in instrument tracking software, updating records in real-time to maintain accuracy.
• Inspects items during the pick process to ensure package integrity, expiration dates, and appropriate substitutions.
• Communicates unmet surgical supply requests to leadership for resolution.
• Returns unused supplies to their proper stock locations after surgical procedures.
• Wears personal protective equipment (PPE) as required and maintains a clean work area by wiping surfaces with antibacterial agents.
• Provides leadership, direction, and training to other teammates, including instructing, monitoring, and evaluating shift technicians on proper care and handling of surgical instruments and sterility principles.
• Trains technicians on the proper use of washers, sterilizers, and record-keeping systems according to policies.
• Communicates pertinent shift information and collaborates with department supervisors and OR personnel to resolve issues.
• Anticipates daily and next-day requirements for surgical instrumentation, equipment, and supplies to ensure needs are met.
• Monitors surgical kit assembly and case-cart setups for completeness and accuracy.
• Resolves equipment and supply conflicts or shortages with satisfactory substitutions and documents/communicates issues to CPD and Nursing staff.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Central Services Technician National Certification (CRCST) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) required within 12 months of hire.
• Two (2) years of Central Processing experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Efficient operation of all department equipment.
• Knowledge of general and specialty instrumentation.
• Ability to follow instructions and reproduce taught activities.
• Conscientious adherence to procedures, avoiding shortcuts where technique is involved.
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and adapt to a changing environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication in English, meeting telephone and customer service standards.
• Computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office and Instrument Tracking systems.
• Familiarity with hospital operations, infection control, and medical terminology.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lifts, reaches, carries, pushes, and pulls 40-50 pounds or more.
• Stands and sits for a combination of eight (8) hours or the length of the assignment.
• Uses fingertips to assess attributes of objects, such as size, temperature, or texture.
• Hears spoken words to communicate oral information accurately, quickly, and loudly in English.
• Perceives sounds such as phones ringing, beepers, alarms, and equipment buzzers.
• Clear near and far vision, with the ability to distinguish colors (e.g., alarms, buzzers, and color codes on instrumentation).

Pay

The base pay range for this role is $23.04 - $28.80 per hour. Individual offers are determined based on relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure fair and competitive compensation.