Sterile Processing Tech (SPD)

Advocate Health • Green Bay, WI

19h • $21 - $31

About The Position

Sterile Processing Techs help prevent infection by cleaning, processing, assembling, sterilizing, storing, and distributing medical supplies. The position handles soiled and contaminated items and requires comfort with that work, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work behind the scenes. It does not involve patient interaction. Previous sterile processing or healthcare experience is preferred, but no experience or SPD certification is required.

This is a 0.9 FTE position, scheduled for 72 hours per pay period, with one day off every other week. The regular schedule is second shift, 2:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m. The role requires approximately 12 weeks of day-shift training, during which the employee must be able to work day-shift hours. Occasional weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts are required. Occasional travel to West and Kaukauna surgery centers to provide vacation coverage is also required.

The position includes sterile processing and supply duties, including receiving, cleaning, assembling, inspecting, packaging, and sterilizing instruments and equipment; maintaining quality assurance; handling specialized and high-cost instrumentation; supporting case-cart and emergency supply needs; and receiving, recording, stocking, and maintaining supplies. The employee may also perform patient positioning and transport duties.

The work involves standing, walking, lifting, squatting, bending, twisting, and reaching throughout the workday. It may expose the employee to fumes, dust, chemicals, blood, and body fluids; protective clothing must be worn as necessary. The role operates all equipment necessary to perform the job. Pay range: $20.80–$31.20.

Requirements

• High school graduate.
• No experience required.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
• Knowledge of sterilization principles and applications.
• Familiarity with medical terminology.
• Ability to work second shift, 2:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m., and day-shift hours during approximately 12 weeks of training.
• Availability for occasional weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts.
• Ability to travel occasionally to West and Kaukauna surgery centers for vacation coverage.
• Ability to stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above the shoulders during the workday.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist, lift up to 20 lbs. overhead, and carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Ability to push or pull with 30 lbs. of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Comfort handling soiled and contaminated items and working around fumes, dust, chemical hazards, blood, and body fluids; protective clothing must be worn as necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Previous sterile processing or healthcare experience.

Responsibilities

• Receive contaminated items in the decontamination area; sort, rinse, clean, and process equipment using sonic tanks and washers.
• Reassemble trays, perform safety checks, hang and sort instruments, wrap sets according to policy, and appropriately wrap towels and basins.
• Sterilize instruments and equipment using aerator, gas, or steam sterilizers; operate the glass dryer; package items in sterile or peel packaging as required; and perform quality assurance tests for sterilization methods.
• Hand-clean miscellaneous instruments and operate the cart cleaner.
• Properly care for high-cost and special-handling instrumentation and equipment, including laser, orthopedic implant, cardiac assist, endoscopic, and microscopic instruments.
• Build case carts according to procedures and physician preferences when needed; file case-cart sheets and requisitions; respond to Code 4s with a defibrillator and backup supplies; maintain CPR annies; test autoclaves; and change graphs as necessary.
• Check incoming trays and follow up with departments about missing instruments or parts.
• Take immediate and appropriate action when sterilizer failure is suspected.
• Receive and record supply orders, record product numbers accurately, and complete forms for billing.
• Mark, date, and stock equipment, including returning it to the appropriate department promptly when needed.
• Unpack supply boxes; check for damage and quantities; report discrepancies to the supervisor; process credits for unused returned products; check stock levels; copy supply sheets; check carts for outdated supplies; and clean shelves.
• May perform patient positioning and transport duties involving lifting and pushing or pulling, using proper technique.
• Travel occasionally to West and Kaukauna surgery centers to provide vacation coverage.

Benefits

• Paid time off programs.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent-care expenses.
• Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Premium pay, such as shift and on-call pay, based on teammate eligibility.
• Incentive pay for select positions.
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.

What This Job Offers

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