Central Sterile Tech (certified tech preferred) in Central Sterile, Full-Time 1 p.m - 9:30 p.m. M-F

Northwestern Medical Center • St. Albans, VT

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About The Position

Northwestern Medical Center is recruiting a full-time Central Sterile Technician to decontaminate and sterilize surgical equipment and instrumentation for the operating room, outpatient department, other hospital departments, and physician offices. Additional work includes cleaning surgical suites, cleaning and packaging instrumentation, pulling supplies for surgical cases, and restocking operating room suites and sub-sterile rooms. The position generally works Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with call every fourth weekend. The schedule is 80 hours biweekly.

The technician cleans and processes instruments for sterilization; operates and maintains sterilizing equipment and records loads and maintenance; organizes and assembles instrument trays and supplies; checks equipment and sterile supplies; prepares case carts; and reports defective equipment. The role also requires accurate communication and documentation, effective prioritization, appropriate use of resources, inventory monitoring, maintaining a clean and safe work environment, and following applicable procedures and AAMI standards.

Work is performed in a climate-controlled environment at approximately 60°F. The role involves frequent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious materials, occasional slippery floors, moderate noise when equipment is operating, and potential exposure to ethylene oxide, peroxyacetic acid, glutaraldehyde, and bleach. Required protective equipment includes PPE appropriate to decontamination and sterilization procedures, such as a face shield and mask when indicated, gloves, hair nets, booties, uniform, and thermal gloves when handling autoclave headers.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Certified Central Sterile Technician preferred.
• Previous hospital or health care experience preferred.
• Ability to perform the physical demands described, including prolonged standing, use of both hands, stooping, reaching, pushing and pulling carts or furniture, and handling equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Use required protective equipment and maintain a sterile environment.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Central Sterile Technician.
• Previous hospital or health care experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Clean instruments and prepare and process them for sterilization.
• Operate and maintain steam autoclaves; document completed loads, load contents, and maintenance procedures.
• Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays and sterilized supplies, fulfilling special requests as needed.
• Examine equipment for leaks, worn or loose parts, or other signs of disrepair, and report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
• Check sterile supplies to ensure they are not outdated.
• Purge waste from equipment by connecting it to water sources and flushing water through systems.
• Prepare case carts according to preference cards.
• Communicate accurately and promptly with patients, team members, and management; provide concise pertinent information, report equipment issues, and complete documentation in a timely manner.
• Protect colleagues' confidentiality and collaborate with appropriate staff to orient new employees.
• Organize and prioritize a multitask workload, apply critical thinking, consider alternatives, and seek assistance appropriately.
• Use equipment and supplies appropriately and acknowledge limits of experience and capability.
• Assess instrument inventory to ensure adequate par levels for surgical cases and monitor autoclaves for optimum working order.
• Maintain a clean, orderly environment of care, ensure traffic control in service areas, and perform tasks safely according to policies and procedures.
• Follow unit-specific competencies and AAMI standards for sterilizing and disinfecting operating room and outpatient department instrumentation and equipment.
• Sort, wrap, and sterilize instrumentation.
• Disperse operating room linen supply daily.
• Manage the case cart system for daily surgical cases by supplying the necessary supplies, instrumentation, and equipment.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package designed to support employee health, work-life balance, asset protection, and financial security; specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED