Sterile Processing Technician- Evening

Decypher•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician receives, inspects, decontaminates, and sterilizes reusable medical devices and surgical instruments. The role ensures proper assembly, labeling, packaging, and storage in accordance with instructions for use (IFUs). The technician monitors sterilization effectiveness, verifies instrument functionality, prepares specialty trays and case carts, and uses sound judgment to fulfill routine, special, and emergency supply requests across clinical areas. The technician applies principles of microbiology and aseptic technique, including knowledge of detergents, cleaning methods, sterilization media, sterilizer operation, and tests for sterilization effectiveness. The position requires knowledge of packaging, storage, shelf life, and the use, operation, assembly, and disassembly of surgical instruments and medical devices. Work includes selecting appropriate decontamination and sterilization methods, inspecting items, preparing specialty trays and instrument sets, and storing sterile supplies for the Main Operating Room, Labor and Delivery, wards, and clinics. The position is with Decypher, which partners with the Defense Health Agency to provide professional services, technology, and management solutions supporting care for veterans, servicemembers, and their families. The schedule is 2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. in 8-hour shifts, with weekend and holiday rotation required. Compensation is $37.50 per hour plus H&W.

Requirements

Completion of a central sterile supply training course.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification.
At least two continuous years of experience within the last four years as a Sterile Processing Technician.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English well enough to communicate effectively with all staff members.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to meet physical requirements, including prolonged standing and walking; frequent use of hands and fine motor skills; and bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying medical equipment, instrument trays, and supplies.
Ability to work the stated schedule, including weekend and holiday rotation.

Responsibilities

Receive, disassemble, and inspect reusable medical devices and surgical instruments for damage.
Determine appropriate decontamination and sterilization methods; remove blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, and using ultrasonic and washer-disinfecting equipment.
Operate cleaning and sterilizing equipment and examine items after decontamination to confirm gross contaminants are removed and instruments function properly.
Label and identify medical devices and surgical instruments for the Main Operating Room, Labor and Delivery, wards, and clinics.
Assemble specialty trays and instrument sets for the Main Operating Room, clinics, wards, and Labor and Delivery using inventory sheets.
Select appropriate wrapping or packaging materials and sterilization processes according to device IFUs, including hydrogen peroxide (STERRAD and V-Pro), ethylene oxide, or steam sterilization.
Label and seal wrapped items with appropriate sterilization tape.
Monitor sterilizer operation using graphs, computer panels, Bowie-Dick tests, and biological spore challenge tests; ensure the appropriate gravity displacement technique and cycles are used for specialty items.
Receive sterilized trays, loaners, instrument sets, and medical equipment; check sterilization integrity, including indicator changes and package dampness; and stock and store sterile items appropriately.
Assemble and complete Main Operating Room case cart requisition forms.
Fill special and emergency supply requests, using judgment to select appropriate processing methods, substitutions, or equipment-problem resolutions.