Sterile Processing Technician - Full Time, First Shift

Thomas Jefferson University • Philadelphia, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician supports daily operations for operating rooms and other units, ensuring surgical supplies, instruments, scopes, and equipment are safely and promptly inventoried, decontaminated, assembled, inspected, packaged, sterilized, stored, distributed, and tracked. The position may also support hospital-based practices, clinics, and other locations, and may include additional related duties as assigned.

The technician processes and dispenses instrumentation and trays for operating rooms, delivery rooms, nursing units, and other departments according to manufacturers’ instructions for use, established procedures, and aseptic technique. The role also involves preparing procedural case carts, operating and checking sterilization and cleaning equipment, maintaining accurate inventory and documentation, and ensuring sterilized items remain within date and their packaging remains intact. Off-shift and holiday call coverage may be required based on campus requirements.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Graduate of a certified sterile processing technician training program.
• New hires must obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Ability to read and communicate in English.
• Knowledge of patient- and family-centered practice, cultural awareness, and effective communication.
• Knowledge of inventory management and common medical equipment used in healthcare.
• Knowledge of decontamination processes and infection control.
• Accuracy and attention to detail, teamwork, and knowledge of operating room management.
• Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds; frequent sitting and standing; frequent keyboard use. Role-specific patient-care activities may include kneeling, bending, squatting, and performing CPR.

Nice To Haves

• Specialized diploma.
• Less than one year of experience, with a minimum of six months preferred.
• CSPDT certification from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, or CRCST certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.

Responsibilities

• Interact with coworkers, visitors, and staff in a manner consistent with Jefferson’s values.
• Support safe, compassionate, coordinated, patient- and family-centered care, respecting personal preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs and values.
• Communicate with and support the interprofessional team, patients, families, and designated care partners.
• Disassemble, clean, inspect, prepare, assemble, sterilize, and dispense surgical and procedural instruments and trays according to manufacturers’ instructions, procedures, and aseptic technique.
• Prepare procedural case carts according to campus requirements.
• Operate automated washers, cart washers, ultrasonic washers, and sterilizers safely and efficiently according to manufacturers’ instructions and department policies and procedures.
• Examine and test instruments for integrity, function, and cleanliness before sterilization or high-level disinfection.
• Verify pre- and post-sterilization quality indicators and report sterilization equipment issues to appropriate SPD leadership.
• Use the Instrument Tracking System during decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and storage to maintain inventory and accurate documentation.
• Accurately label items with a name and/or expiration date; routinely check sterilized items for expiration and package integrity, replacing or reporting items as needed.
• Maintain, assemble, and distribute other durable medical equipment, including code carts, when required by campus requirements.
• Perform equipment rounds when required by campus requirements.
• Provide off-shift and holiday call coverage based on campus requirements.
• Participate in onboarding new team members as appropriate for the campus.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance, including prescription coverage
• Supplemental insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Retirement plans
• Tuition assistance
• Voluntary benefits with access to group insurance rates and discounts
• Tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service
• Access to medical insurance, including prescription coverage, for colleagues working less than part-time, including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps

What This Job Offers

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