Sterile Processing Technician

Job Summary:

The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for the decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment for a 2–3 OR suite hospital. This role supports a wide range of services including orthopedics, general surgery, cataracts, podiatry, and rotating specialty providers. The technician ensures all sterile processing standards are met to provide safe, efficient, and timely support to the surgical team.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None 

Duties/Responsibilities:

Instrument Processing & Sterilization

• Perform all steps of instrument reprocessing, including decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, and sterilization.
• Operate and maintain autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, washer–disinfectors, and other SPD equipment.
• Ensure instrument sets are complete, functional, and assembled according to specialty-specific standards (ortho, eyes, general, podiatry, etc.).
• Manage immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) appropriately and within policy.

Case Preparation & Turnover

• Prepare trays, peel packs, and supplies required for daily OR cases.
• Assist with case cart assembly and delivery to OR suites.
• Maintain readiness for high-volume orthopedic instrumentation and delicate cataract/ophthalmic sets.

Inventory & Equipment

• Monitor par levels of sterile supplies, instrument sets, implants, and disposables.
• Report damaged or missing instruments; coordinate repairs and replacements.
• Track loaner trays, ensuring timely arrival, proper processing, and accurate documentation.
• Utilize tracking software to monitor instrument sets from decontamination to the operating room.

Quality & Safety

• Follow AAMI, AORN, and hospital standards for sterilization and infection prevention.
• Document sterilization cycles, biological indicators, and load records accurately.
• Participate in quality checks, audits, and ongoing process improvements.
• Maintain a clean, organized SPD work environment.

Collaboration & Communication

• Communicate effectively with OR staff regarding urgent needs, add-on cases, or instrument issues.
• Support smooth daily operations by anticipating case needs and adjusting priorities as necessary.
• Coordinate with vendor representatives for specialty instrumentation and implants.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Demonstrate an acute attention to detail
• Ability to clearly communicate 

Job-related Skills and Abilities: 

• Understanding of orthopedic and ophthalmic instrument sets strongly preferred
• Ability to handle a constantly moving, high-volume inventory of medical equipment under tight deadlines
• Ability to follow strict regulatory guidelines and quickly learn new instrument designs and sterilization methods
• Ability to navigate fast-paced environments, prioritize urgent “stat” surgical cases, and adjust to sudden schedules

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Certification preferred (CRCST, CBSPD)
• Prior sterile processing experience required; hospital or ASC experience preferred
• BLS – AHA required within 90 days of employment

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds at times
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, and reach overhead for the duration of a shift. Technicians may walk the equivalent of several miles a day within the facility; Must be able to navigate various departments of the organization’s physical premises.
• Fine motor skills and grip strength are essential for meticulously handling, inspecting, disassembling, and assembling tiny surgical instruments. 
• Ability to rely heavily on touch and temperature differentiation to operate ultrasonic cleaners, handle hot autoclaves, and assess moisture. 
• Ability to comfortably wear heavy personal protective equipment (PPE)—including impervious gowns, face shields, goggles, gloves, and surgical masks—for extended periods
• Stress Level: Low to Moderate

OSHA Classification: 

• Category III: Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and Category I tasks are not a condition of employment.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues (although situations can be imagined or hypothesized under which anyone, anywhere might encounter potential exposure to body fluids). Persons who perform these duties are not called upon as part of their employment to perform or assist in emergency medical care or first-aid, or to be potentially exposed in some other way. Tasks that involve handling implements or utensils, use of public or shared bathroom facilities, or telephone, and personal contacts such as handshaking are Category III tasks.