Instrument Technician

Mercy Medical Center; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks an Instrument Technician to support Central Sterile, the Operating Room, and clinics by ensuring instrument availability and compliant reprocessing across the organization.

The role requires CRCST certification (HSPA), two years in Central Sterile, and the ability to educate staff; a sign-on bonus of up to $2000 is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years in Central Sterile/Sterile Processing.
• Experience with surgical instrumentation and instrument coordination preferred.
• CRCST certification required; specialty certifications encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Serves as technical resource for surgical instrumentation and reusable medical devices.
• Performs cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and high-level disinfection per IFUs.
• Maintains instrument sets, count sheets, and handles damaged items and loaner instrumentation.
• Monitors quality and compliance of sterilization processes and conducts audits.
• Educates staff on instrumentation, IFUs, and reprocessing best practices.
• Collaborates across departments to support patient safety and standardization.

Skills

Critical thinking

Leadership

Effective communication

Prioritization

Education

CRCST certification through HSPA

Certified Instrument Specialist Certification within 1 year

Education sufficient to obtain required certification

Job description

Qualified candidates may be eligible for up to $2000 sign-on bonusWork ShiftVariable/Rotating ShiftsScheduled Weekly Hours40SummaryThis position supports Mercy’s philosophy of patient-centered care by serving as a technical resource for surgical instrumentation, sterilization, high-level disinfection, and reusable medical device processing. The Instrument Technician supports Central Sterile, the Operating Room, clinics, and procedural areas by promoting instrument availability, quality, regulatory compliance, education, and standardized reprocessing practices throughout the organization.Job DescriptionJob Duties/Essential FunctionsJob DutiesServes as a technical resource for surgical instrumentation and reusable medical device processing, including cleaning, inspection, assembly, sterilization, high-level disinfection, storage, and handling in accordance with manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), organizational policies, and applicable standards.Supports the instrumentation needs of Central Sterile and the Operating Room by assisting with instrument set maintenance, count sheets, missing or damaged instrumentation, new products, loaner instrumentation, vendor coordination, purchasing evaluations, and prioritization based on surgical and clinical needs.Performs quality and compliance monitoring of sterilization and high-level disinfection processes throughout the organization, including audits, documentation review, ATP or other cleaning verification testing, tray quality reviews, and identification and follow-up of opportunities for improvement.Provides education, training, competencies, and technical guidance to Central Sterile and clinical staff related to instrumentation, IFUs, sterilization, high-level disinfection, and reusable medical device processing.Collaborates with Central Sterile, the Operating Room, clinical departments, vendors, Infection Prevention, and leadership to support standardization, process improvement, regulatory readiness, patient safety, and resolution of instrumentation or reprocessing concerns.Demonstrates leadership, critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to independently prioritize responsibilities while serving as a resource and role model for the department.Functions within Central Sterile operations as needed and performs other duties as assigned by the Manager or department leadership.Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesStrong knowledge of surgical instrumentation, sterilization, high-level disinfection, and reusable medical device processing.Ability to read, interpret, and apply manufacturer IFUs and organizational policies.Strong critical thinking, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.Ability to provide education and constructive guidance to staff and clinical departments.Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively across departments.Demonstrates leadership abilities and a commitment to quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement.Professional ExperienceMinimum of two (2) years of Central Sterile/Sterile Processing experience required.Experience with surgical instrumentation, instrument coordination, quality monitoring, education, sterilization,, or high-level disinfection preferred.EducationEducation sufficient to obtain required certificaiton.Licensure, Certification, RegistrationCRCST certification through HSPA required.Certified Instrument Specialist Certification required within 1 year of hire date.Additional certifications related to instrumentation, endoscope reprocessing, healthcare leadership, or surgical technology are preferred.Required certifications must be maintained as applicable to the position.Physical RequirementsHeavy: Exert 50-100 lbs. of force occasionally and/or 25-50 lbs. of force frequentlyPay Rate TypeHourlyMercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.