CST/ SPD Educator

WVU Medicine•Burbank, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing & Surgical Technology Educator is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating education and competency programs for Sterile Processing (SPD) and Surgical Technology (ST) staff. This role ensures that staff are trained in accordance with current industry standards, regulatory guidelines, and hospital policies to support safe and effective surgical services. The Educator serves as a subject matter expert in decontamination, instrumentation, sterilization, and surgical procedures, and partners with leadership to support quality improvement, orientation, continuing education, and certification preparation.

Requirements

Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) , through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) within 1 year of hire
Current Surgical Technologist Certification through one of the following boards: National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), National Center for Competencies Testing (NCCT), or American Allied Health Association (AAHA)
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Minimum 3 years of experience in Surgical Technology.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree in healthcare-related field preferred
Instructor or educator certification preferred (e.g., AST Educator, IAHCSMM Instructor).
Experience in Sterile Processing, with a minimum of 3 years preferred.
Previous experience in an educator, preceptor, or leadership role strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops, coordinates, and delivers onboarding and continuing education for SPD and Surgical Technology staff.
Ensures staff competency through annual assessments, skills validations, and just-in-time training.
Collaborates with SPD, OR, and Infection Control leadership to maintain regulatory readiness (e.g., AAMI, AORN, CMS, The Joint Commission).
Facilitates cross-training opportunities and career development pathways between SPD and Surgical Technology roles.
Assists with the implementation of new technology, equipment, instruments, and procedures.
Leads root cause analysis education following errors related to instrument processing or surgical setup.
Supports quality assurance efforts, including tray audits, biological monitoring education, and process improvement initiatives.
Develops and maintains educational materials, competency checklists, and policies relevant to SPD and ST practice.
Serves as a clinical preceptor and mentor to new and existing team members.
Assists in preparing staff for national certification (CRCST, CST, CBSPD, etc.).
Coordinates with vendors for in-servicing and new product education.
Participates in SPD and OR team huddles and department meetings to share learning opportunities and safety updates.