Sterile Processing Tech

Surgery Partners•Grand Prairie, TX

11d

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment used in an Orthopedic Ambulatory Surgery Center. The role supports infection prevention, instrument inventory, and efficient surgical operations by preparing and processing orthopedic instrumentation, including total joint sets. During facility startup, the technician leads the development and implementation of sterile processing workflows and works with clinical leadership, physicians, vendors, and infection prevention personnel to establish reprocessing and sterilization best practices. The technician also supports operating room readiness, staff training, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and a safe, organized sterile processing environment. The role requires a high school diploma or GED, at least two years of sterile processing experience, and current Basic Life Support certification. Orthopedic instrument processing experience is strongly preferred, as is experience with complex trays, power equipment, and total joint instrumentation. Physical requirements include standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 pounds, performing repetitive motions, and distinguishing colors to assess instrument integrity and cleanliness.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Minimum of two years of sterile processing experience in a hospital, surgery center, or related healthcare setting.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Thorough knowledge of sterile processing principles, aseptic technique, infection prevention practices, and instrument sterilization standards.
Ability to inspect, identify, assemble, and troubleshoot complex instrument sets.
Ability to operate sterilization equipment and perform required biological, chemical, and mechanical testing.
Ability to maintain accurate sterilization records and documentation.
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in a fast-paced surgical environment.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills with physicians, clinical staff, vendors, and team members.
Ability to read, interpret, and follow policies, manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), and safety procedures.
Professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to patient safety.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds throughout the workday.
Ability to handle repetitive motions and work in a fast-paced surgical setting.
Ability to distinguish colors and identify instrument integrity and cleanliness.

Nice To Haves

Orthopedic instrument processing experience is strongly preferred.
Experience with complex instrument trays, power equipment, and total joint instrumentation is preferred.
Knowledge of orthopedic surgical instrumentation, implants, power equipment, and total joint systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of sterile processing workflows during facility startup.
Collaborate with clinical leadership, physicians, vendors, and infection prevention personnel to establish best practices for instrument reprocessing and sterilization.
Build, organize, and standardize orthopedic instrument sets, including total joint, spine, sports medicine, and trauma instrumentation.
Develop and maintain instrument count sheets, tray configurations, and assembly instructions.
Coordinate acquisition, inspection, inventory management, and organization of new instrumentation, equipment, and sterile processing supplies.
Establish instrument tracking processes and documentation systems to support regulatory and accreditation compliance.
Maintain sterilization records, biological monitoring logs, equipment maintenance records, quality assurance documentation, and competency records.
Lead infection prevention and control initiatives related to instrument reprocessing, high-level disinfection, sterilization, and environmental safety.
Ensure compliance with applicable accrediting and regulatory requirements, including AAAHC, CMS, OSHA, AORN, AAMI, and manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs).
Develop and implement quality assurance and performance improvement measures to monitor sterilization effectiveness and department performance.
Conduct audits of sterilization processes, instrument assembly accuracy, documentation, and infection prevention practices.
Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and replacement of instrumentation and sterile processing equipment.
Manage loaner instrumentation processes in compliance with facility policies and manufacturer guidelines.
Assist with onboarding, training, and competency validation of sterile processing personnel.
Serve as a resource for operating room staff on instrument availability, processing requirements, troubleshooting, and inventory management.
Support operating room throughput by ensuring instruments are available and ready for scheduled procedures.
Participate in regulatory surveys, inspections, and accreditation activities, including preparation of documentation and corrective action plans.
Decontaminate, inspect, assemble, package, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and equipment.
Assist with case cart preparation and turnover support as needed.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe sterile processing environment.
Participate in continuing education and maintain competency in sterile processing practices.