Sterile Processing Tech III

SEH Saint Elizabeth Medical Center•Florence, KY

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Tech III leads daily sterile processing operations, ensuring instruments and equipment are cleaned, decontaminated, sterilized, and assembled according to established standards. The role provides input on work methods and goals, manages multidisciplinary department activities, trains staff across areas of responsibility, monitors associate performance, leads special projects, supports cost-effective operations, prepares departmental reports, monitors processing, and oversees recordkeeping. The position also demonstrates respect, dignity, kindness, and empathy in interactions with patients, families, visitors, and colleagues. The role assists management with performance appraisals, counseling and disciplinary actions, and implementation and evaluation of departmental goals. It collaborates with other departments to ensure appropriate instrumentation, equipment, and supplies are available; maintains efficient case-cart and sterile-core-cart processes; and schedules, supervises, and trains technicians. The technician applies knowledge of sterilizer operation and testing, spore incubation and result interpretation, and Medivator and Olympus endoscope reprocessor operation and filter maintenance. Sterile processing functions are performed as needed. The position maintains collaborative relationships, communicates effectively with staff, physicians, and healthcare team members, monitors sterilization processes and documentation for infection-control compliance, and follows up on concerns. It helps meet financial goals through staffing adjustments and cost-effective use of supplies and equipment, provides leadership and technical guidance, organizes team responsibilities, and supports ongoing professional development. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school graduate.
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT).
Two years of experience as a Sterile Processing Tech.
Knowledge of perioperative instrumentation, sterilization, and AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) standards.
Knowledge of Joint Commission and AORN standards.
Computer entry skills.
If working in the Endoscopy Department: CBSPD or CER certification, experience in an Endoscopy Tech role, and competence in SGNA guidelines.

Responsibilities

Lead daily sterile processing operations, including cleaning, decontamination, sterilization, and tray assembly of instruments and equipment according to standards of practice.
Provide input on task methods and goal achievement; manage multidisciplinary department activities and train staff across areas of responsibility.
Monitor associate performance and provide input to management for performance appraisals and counseling or disciplinary actions.
Lead special projects, support cost-effective operations, prepare departmental reports, monitor sterile processing, and oversee recordkeeping.
Assist management with implementing and evaluating departmental goals consistent with the organization's mission, vision, and values.
Collaborate with other departments to ensure appropriate instrumentation, equipment, and supplies are available for procedures.
Ensure efficient case-cart and sterile-core-cart processes.
Schedule, supervise, and oversee training of technicians in each area.
Load, operate, and test sterilizers; incubate spores and interpret results, graphs, and printouts to ensure sterilizers function properly.
Load, operate, and test Medivator and Olympus endoscope reprocessors and perform filter maintenance.
Perform sterile processing functions as needed.
Develop and maintain collaborative interdepartmental and intradepartmental relationships and communicate effectively with staff, physicians, and healthcare team members.
Monitor sterilization processes and documentation to ensure adherence to infection-control practices.
Follow up, communicate, and help resolve concerns raised by staff, physicians, and healthcare team members.
Assist with department financial goals by adjusting staffing as needed and using supplies and equipment cost-effectively.
Demonstrate leadership in directing sterile processing activities, provide technical guidance on complex issues, organize team responsibilities, and pursue ongoing personal growth and development.
Demonstrate respect, dignity, kindness, and empathy in interactions with patients, families, visitors, and employees.
Perform other duties as assigned.