CENTRAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Independence Health System; Butler (Butler County); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System seeks a Central Service Technician responsible for providing sterile instrumentation and trays to various departments. Duties include decontaminating instruments, operating sterilizers, and maintaining equipment. Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and strong organizational skills. Experience in Central Service or as a Surgical Technician is preferred.

This role offers flexible scheduling based on operational needs and requires local travel between locations.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of Central Service experience preferred.
• CRCST or Surgical Technician background preferred.
• Strong ability to communicate with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates and inspects surgical instruments.
• Cleans and decontaminates reusable patient equipment.
• Operates sterilizers per department procedure.
• Transports clean carts and instruments as needed.
• Prepares loan or consign instruments.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Basic computer knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Summary

The Central Service Technician performs a wide array of duties to provide sterile instrumentation and trays to the Department of Surgery and other Hospital departments. The Technician works under the direction of the Senior Technician for Central Services or Operating Room Management.

Essential Job Functions

• Decontaminates and inspects surgical instruments
  • Wears protective attire (PPE)
  • Transports equipment and supplies as needed
  • Maintains equipment per manufacturer instructions
  • Visually inspects instruments and trays for pre‑soaking
  • Uses tongs or forceps to remove instruments from basins
  • Inserts proper‑sized brush to clean channels of cannulated instrumentation
  • Chooses proper decontamination equipment per manufacturer or OneSource instructions
  • Arranges instruments, trays, and basins to facilitate proper cleaning
  • Selects proper cycle per manufacturer or OneSource instructions
• Cleans and decontaminates reusable patient equipment
  • Cleans all surfaces with approved solution
  • Inspects electrical cords for fraying or hazards
  • Ensures component parts are returned with equipment
  • Removes any damaged equipment requiring safety checks
  • Reassembles equipment and places in proper storage
• Assembles instrument trays
  • Visually examines instruments for debris and functionality
  • Arranges instruments to allow sterilant penetration
  • Ensures instrument tray is complete
  • Orders instruments as needed
  • Tapes instruments
• Wraps instrument tray or places instruments in proper sterilization container
  • Uses proper size and type of sterilization wrap
  • Inserts chemical indicator or integrator in tray
  • Performs proper wrapping and taping technique
  • Records pertinent information on autoclavable tape or form
  • Places paper filter in sterilization container
  • Affixes load sticker to wrapped tray or container
  • Prepares all rerun instruments for day
• Operates sterilizers per department procedure
  • Loads sterilizer rack to allow penetration and moisture removal
  • Records load contents on sterilizer card or form
  • Places biological indicator in required sterilizer loads
  • Selects proper cycle per manufacturer or OneSource instructions
  • Examines sterilizer printout for mechanical parameters
  • Signs full name to sterilizer printout
  • Allows adequate cooling time before removal
  • Unloads and stores contents properly
• Performs biological monitoring and recordkeeping of sterilization cycles
  • Interprets and logs results in a timely manner
  • Records information on implantable load form if applicable
  • Organizes paperwork for regulatory reporting
• Manually cleans case carts after use
  • Places cart on hydraulic lift (if applicable)
  • Cleans interior and exterior with approved solution
• Transports clean carts and instruments as needed between departments
• Other duties as assigned

Specialty Functions

• Maintains reusable linen inventory in departments
  • Assures adequate stock
  • Places increase or decrease orders with linen room staff
  • Puts line away
  • Stocks warmer
• Conducts soiled pick‑up rounds throughout the hospital
  • Retrieves soiled or used equipment per schedule (minimum three times daily)
• Conducts Steris System IE biological testing for SPD daily
  • Tests unit in SPD
  • Maintains records
• Prepares loan or consign instruments
  • Receives and documents items
  • Inspects and decontaminates instruments
  • Assembles appropriate instrumentation
  • Sterilizes and delivers to OR
• Delivers additional trays and supplies to OR
• Performs housekeeping functions – keeps area neat and organized
• Retrieves soiled carts or instruments from OR and Labor and Delivery
• Uses proper etiquette on phone calls
• Cleans sterilizer chambers and carts per policy
• Cases – picks, fills, and organizes supplies for OR circulator and technician
• Scopes – reprocesses and stores scopes per manufacturer instructions
• Transportation – transports patients, obtains blood, and moves specimens, labs, medications, and case‑sensitive items across the hospital
• Follows chain of care for communication of issues

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or higher education equivalent
• Strong leadership, organizational, independent, and critical thinking skills with sound judgment
• Strong communication ability with diverse audiences
• Basic computer and office equipment knowledge

Preferred Qualifications

• 1–3 years Central Service experience
• CRCST or Surgical Technician background

License, Certification & Clearances

• Must hold or obtain CBSPD or HSPA certification within 18 months of employment
• Act 81 compliance
• Act 34‑PA criminal record check

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but serves as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotations, standby, on‑call, etc.). Local travel between Independence Health System locations may be expected.

LEAN

Actively promotes a LEAN work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, seeking work process improvements, and taking ownership of morale and performance.

AAP / EEO

Independence Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy prohibits discrimination of any type and affirms equal employment opportunities for all applicants.