Sterile Processing Tech 1 -- Central Sterile Services -- General Hospital

CAMC Health System • Charleston, WV

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Tech 1 provides service to the Central Service Department and procedural areas by processing, sterilizing, and distributing supplies, instruments, and equipment. The role’s primary responsibility is infection prevention and control, requiring an understanding of microbiology principles, proper use of personal protective equipment, and attention to detail. The employee may access secure medication supply areas to complete assigned duties.

The technician decontaminates, cleans, inspects, assembles, packages, and sterilizes instruments and equipment in accordance with evidence-based procedures, department policies, and manufacturer instructions. The role includes operating and monitoring sterilization and reprocessing equipment, completing biological monitoring documentation, managing inventory and patient charge information, supporting hospital departments’ sterilization needs, and maintaining equipment and work areas. The technician works under the guidance of a Tech II, Tech III, or Specialist for current trends and technology, and must demonstrate competency through orientation and ongoing validation.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Demonstrate competency through initial orientation and ongoing competency validation to independently perform assigned tasks and duties.
• Maintain and document all applicable required education.
• Comply with attendance, departmental pay practices, and scheduling policies, including overtime, various shift work, and on-call situations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Central Service Department functions to ensure effective processing, sterilization, and distribution of supplies, instruments, and equipment.
• Apply principles of sterile technique and perform high-level disinfection using the approved chemical product.
• Operate and monitor steam autoclaves, washers, Sterrad machines, automatic scope reprocessors, cart washers, and ultrasonic washers.
• Perform and document daily biological monitoring for equipment in Central Sterilization and procedural areas.
• Follow established evidence-based procedures, protocols, policies, and original manufacturer instructions.
• Identify, clean, sterilize, package, and assemble instrument sets according to manufacturer instructions for use.
• Dispose of waste and decontaminate contaminated items.
• Inspect equipment and instruments throughout procedural steps for condition and operation.
• Assist with departmental cost containment and quality assurance.
• Attend in-services and staff meetings, pursue professional and personal development, and keep knowledge and practice current with guidance from a Tech II, Tech III, or Specialist.
• Share knowledge with peers or direct them to appropriate information sources.
• Ensure patient charges and credits are correct and processed promptly; batch and forward charges, issues, and credits to inventory control and data management.
• Distribute supplies to nursing units as needed and support hospital departments’ sterilization needs.
• Complete required reports and studies accurately and on time.
• Manage inventory and monitor outdates.
• Inspect processed equipment and supplies, arrange equipment maintenance as needed, and maintain the repair log.
• Assist the manager in meeting accrediting-body requirements; maintain awareness of DNV readiness and ongoing Top 5 board projects.
• Pull case carts as appropriate.
• Collect soiled instruments and equipment throughout the hospital for processing.
• Keep decontamination areas and work surfaces clean.
• Identify and report defective instrumentation or equipment through the appropriate chain of command.
• Organize, function-check, and assemble instrument sets and trays using count sheets or other quality-monitoring documentation.
• Follow through on patient-care equipment requests from other facilities and maintain a log of loaned instruments and equipment and their return dates.
• Maintain and document required education, provide positive customer and coworker service, comply with attendance and scheduling policies, and participate in continuous quality improvement.
• Perform work cost-effectively and in alignment with organizational policies, mission, and strategic plan; perform related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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