Sterile Processing Technician Senior

Highmark Health•Erie, PA

About The Position

The Senior Sterile Processing Technician is a highly skilled and experienced professional with deep knowledge of sterile processing principles, regulatory standards, and best practices for decontaminating, cleaning, assembling, sterilizing, and distributing surgical instruments and equipment. The role serves as a technical expert, mentor, and resource for other staff, supporting high-quality, safe, and efficient sterile processing services. The position also involves complying with applicable ethical, legal, privacy, data-security, safety, and infection-control policies. Employees may have access to confidential customer information and are expected to protect it in accordance with HIPAA, company policies, and applicable laws.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of experience in sterile processing.
CRCST or CSPDT certification required at hire, except for sterile processing technicians employed by a healthcare facility on or before December 29, 2020.
An active CST or TSC certification held by a Surgical Technologist satisfies the certification requirement.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical resource and mentor for other sterile processing technicians, providing guidance, training, and support.
Assist with training new employees.
Disassemble instruments and clean them using appropriate cleaning agents and equipment.
Operate and maintain automated washing and decontamination equipment, and troubleshoot complex equipment issues.
Inspect cleaned instruments for cleanliness, proper function, and damage.
Receive and sort contaminated instruments and equipment from various departments.
Assemble complex instrument sets according to established count sheets and tray lists.
Wrap or package instruments and sets for sterilization.
Load and operate appropriate sterilization equipment, troubleshooting complex issues as needed.
Monitor sterilization cycles and interpret printouts to verify required sterilization parameters were met.
Document sterilization cycles and maintain accurate records.
Deliver sterile items to requesting departments in a timely manner and prioritize urgent requests.
Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
Follow safety and infection-control policies, procedures, and protocols, and use required personal protective equipment.
Train new employees on department procedures and equipment.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
Protect confidential information and comply with HIPAA, company privacy and information-security policies, the Code of Business Conduct, and applicable laws and training requirements.