Sterile Processing Technician II

The Christ Hospital Health Network•United States,

About The Position

Responsible for decontaminating, cleaning, processing, and sterilizing trays, instruments, supplies, and equipment in accordance with infection-control practices. The technician dispenses equipment on request, maintains accurate records and departmental inventory usage, builds surgical case carts, and responds to requests from Surgery. The role covers decontamination; assembling instrument trays and packs; operating sterilizers, documenting loads, and returning stock to the appropriate area; building surgical cases; and supporting requests from the OR and Pre-op/PACU. The technician also assists with one-on-one training, responds to emergency codes when required, follows departmental sterility guidelines, attends in-services and mandatory meetings, and communicates courteously with department customers.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of Central Service experience required.

Nice To Haves

Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification is preferred; it must be obtained within the first year of hire.

Responsibilities

Disassemble, clean, and disinfect patient-care instruments and equipment using appropriate manual and mechanical processes.
Operate decontamination equipment, including sonic washers, cart washers, washer sterilizers, and decontaminators.
Perform assigned cleaning tasks in the work area and use universal precautions and required protective equipment.
Retrieve reusable instruments and equipment throughout the facility and transport them to the Sterile Processing Department.
Unload instruments from washer sterilizers and distribute them to the appropriate workstations.
Assemble instrument trays and packs using written instructions and proper protocols; check instruments for sharpness and proper function.
Recognize and memorize a wide variety of instruments, apply sterilization wrappers correctly, use a heat sealer as needed, and identify items on their packaging.
Load sterilizer carriages and transport trays to the sterilization area.
Check trays, packs, and basins before sterilization; operate each type of sterilizer and select the appropriate cycle and time for each load.
Document sterilization information manually or using a computer and complete biological monitoring according to departmental policy.
Handle sterile instruments and supplies properly, restock and rotate items in sterile storage, and continuously monitor equipment for proper function.
Build surgical cases by obtaining preference lists from the computer and pulling required supplies.
Label locations of instruments and supplies, perform a final quality-control check before items leave the department, and restock, store, or return procedural carts.
Fulfill requests from the OR and Pre-op/PACU.
Assist with one-on-one training of other associates and respond to emergency codes when required.
Follow departmental instructions and guidelines regarding sterility, attend departmental in-services and mandatory meetings, and maintain knowledge of all areas of the Sterile Processing Department.
Act as a courteous liaison between the Sterile Processing Department and its customers.
Use time effectively and distinguish between low- and high-priority activities.