Sterile Processing Tech

Baystate Health • Springfield, MA

8d • $21 - $32 • Onsite

About The Position

Baystate Health is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to join the Sterile Processing Department at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Sterile Processing Technician plays a critical role in patient safety by ensuring surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies are properly decontaminated, inspected, assembled, packaged, sterilized, and prepared for use. Working in a fast-paced environment, the Sterile Processing Technician applies infection prevention and safety practices while following manufacturer instructions, hospital protocols, and established sterile processing standards. The team works closely with operating room staff, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure surgical services have the instruments, trays, and case carts they need to provide safe and timely patient care. This role offers the opportunity to develop expertise across decontamination, preparation and packaging, and sterilization while building knowledge of surgical instrumentation, sterilization processes, and instrument tracking technology. Technicians at the Level II level also have opportunities to mentor colleagues, support education, take on charge responsibilities, and participate in quality improvement initiatives that contribute directly to patient safety.

Requirements

• Ability to read and comprehend English language
• Ability to follow detailed instructions, possess good customer service skills and be able to perform a number of activities according to priority in a fast paced environment
• Complete appropriate orientation, 8-12 weeks
• Ability to perform essential functions within the following Sterile Processing areas: Decontamination area, prep and packaging, sterilization
• Web based training, and hand hygiene
• GED or HiSET (Required)
• Certified Sterile Processing Technician - Other

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in sterile processing or perioperative environment preferred
• Demonstrate advanced sterile processing knowledge and proficiency in referencing and applying Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate, clean, inspect, test, assemble, package, wrap, and sterilize reusable surgical instruments, trays, basins, supplies, and medical devices according to manufacturer instructions and hospital protocols.
• Operate and maintain decontamination equipment, automated washers, ultrasonic washers, steam sterilizers, and low-temperature gas plasma sterilizers while identifying and reporting equipment malfunctions.
• Perform required quality testing, including TOSI testing on automatic washers and SonoCheck testing on ultrasonic washers, as well as biological and chemical monitoring of sterilization processes.
• Accurately document sterilization parameters, test results, processing records, and other required information to support quality and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare surgical case carts and pick supplies and instrumentation using preference cards, inventory procedures, and first-in-first-out stock rotation to support upcoming surgical cases and add-on procedures.
• Use the instrument tracking system to scan and accurately route kits, loaners, peel packs, and other processed items while maintaining package integrity and appropriate storage practices.
• Coordinate the timely turnover of instrumentation for add-on cases and contamination events and communicate with operating room staff to troubleshoot immediate instrumentation needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and ensure sterile goods are inspected for package integrity, damage, and expiration before storage and distribution.
• Apply infection control principles, medical terminology, hospital policies, and applicable sterile processing standards when performing daily responsibilities.
• Communicate with surgical services staff to resolve issues and identify opportunities for process and quality improvement.
• Precept and mentor Level I Sterile Processing Technicians and assist with educational in-servicing.
• Assume charge responsibilities as assigned and support the coordination of department activities.
• Conduct audits of decontamination, disinfection, sterilization, and equipment maintenance processes to monitor daily compliance.
• Demonstrate proficiency in assembling instrumentation for ambulatory clinics and internal units using reference materials without supervision.
• Identify and participate in system quality improvement initiatives that support patient safety.
• Apply knowledge of hospital policies and protocols and reference applicable AAMI, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Baystate Health standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including local Health New England plans.
• Tuition assistance, CEUs, and professional development opportunities.
• Clinical advancement, leadership development, and internal career opportunities.
• Career options across Baystate Health hospitals, practices, and services throughout western Massachusetts.
• Retirement savings and employer match.
• Generous PTO for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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