Sterile Processing Specialist

ummc; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

UMMC's Sterile Processing Department seeks a skilled Sterile Processing Specialist to inspect, assemble, sterilize, and prepare surgical instruments and trays for the OR and other areas. The role requires ensuring accuracy and productivity, mentoring new staff, and collaborating to maintain inventory and quality standards.

The ideal candidate has an associates degree preferred or equivalent experience, with extensive SPD certification and strong knowledge of instrumentation and infection control

Qualifications

• Associates Degree preferred or high school diploma/GED with extensive experience.
• Certification requirements include CSPDT, CSIS, and related SPD credentials.
• Leadership and preceptor skills are preferred for mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

• Ensures cleaning, decontamination, sterilization, maintenance and preparation of instruments, equipment and supplies.
• Ensures compliance with policies for cleaning, sterilization, assembling, storage and validation of instrumentation.
• Assesses equipment and supply needs for procedures and ensures availability.
• Ensures proper functioning of instruments before, during and after procedures.
• Follows infection prevention policies and safety guidelines to maintain a safe work environment.
• Operates sterilization equipment and maintains quality/safety controls documentation.
• Manages departmental requests for central service supplies and tracks equipment use.
• Assists with daily activities, supervision, scheduling and training.

Skills

Sterile processing

Leadership

Preceptor

Instrument maintenance

Knowledge of instrumentation

Computer skills

Education

Associates Degree preferred

High School Diploma or GED required

CBSPD CSPDT

CSIS

CFER

CSPM

CRCST

CIS

CER

CHL

CST

Job description

Job Requisition ID:

R00053275

Job Category:

Professional and Technical

Organization:

Children's Sterile Processing

Location/s:

Main Campus Jackson

Job Title:

Sterile Processing Specialist

Job Summary:

Inspects, assembles, packages and sterilizes surgical instrument pans, procedural trays, technical equipment, and surgical case carts for the OR and other areas. Operates sterilizers, prepares and dispenses sterile items; performs inspection, adjusting, cleaning and general servicing of instruments and equipment for the OR, internal hospital departments and off-site agencies to insure instruments and equipment are operating properly prior to issuing. Maintains accuracy of 98% or higher. Maintains productivity 90% or higher. Helps precept and mentor new employees. Conducts audits in collaboration with supervisor, to include trays, case carts, logs, tracking software, IUSS and inventory. Assist with development of in-services for staff members. Performs monitoring and inventorying supplies and ensures instrumentation is available for OR and clinical areas. Puts in requests for missing instrument orders and instrument par needed to maintain functioning instrument trays. Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance and gain knowledge in new areas. Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships. Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality and safety; directly addresses quality issues promptly. Facilitates the interactions between the SPD and OR. The decisions made by the Sterile Processing Service Specialist, and the interpersonal skills used to implement those decisions, must foster an environment of caring and dedication amongst the employees. This job profile may require call subject to the department's discretion.

Education & Experience

Associates Degree preferred, High School Diploma or GED required;
Minimum 5 years of sterile processing experience;
Knowledge and expertise in one or more specialty services preferred
Any 2 (two) of the following certifications from either professional organization:

Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)

Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS)

Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER)

Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM)

International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)

Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)

Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS)

Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER)

Certified Healthcare Leadership (CHL)

Other nationally recognized SPD certifications may be considered.

National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)

Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy;
Leadership experience preferred;
Advanced preceptor skills and experience in mentoring and coaching preferred;
Independently performs non-routine tasks that significantly impact team and other related teams;
Strong knowledge of function and maintenance of instrumentation in at least one surgical service-line is preferred (Ortho; Neuro; Endoscopy; General/GYN/Robotics; ENT/Plastics/Ophthalmology/Dental; Cardiac/Vascular/Thoracic);
Experience working in a large or Academic hospital setting preferred;
Basic computer skills;

RESPONSIBILITIES

• ENSURES THE CLEANING, DECOMTAMINATION, STERILIZATION, MAINTENANCE AND PREPARATION OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES.
• ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH HOSPITAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE CLEANING, STERILIZATION, ASSEMBLING, STORAGE, AND/OR VALIDATION OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION, SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT.
• ASSESSES THE EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENT, AND SUPPLY NEEDS FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND ENSURES AVAILABILITY.
• ENSURES THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER SURGICAL PROCEDURES.
• FOLLOWS INFECTION PREVENTION POLICIES, AORN RECOMMENDATION PRACTICES, OSHA GUIDELINES, AMII GUIDELINES AND OTHER REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS IN THE DAILY PRACTICE IN ORDER TO ASSURE A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR SELF, COWORKERS, AND PATIENTS.
• DEMONSTRATES CORE STANDARDS OF EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE.
• OPERATES STERILIZATION EQUIPMENT AND WASHERS AND MAINTAINS QUALITY/SAFETY CONTROLS DOCUMENTATION.
• MANAGES DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS FOR CENTRAL SERVICE SUPPLIES; SCHEDULES AND TRACKS EQUIPMENT USE.
• COLLABORATES AND MAINTAINS CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE OF INVENTORY; ORDERS SUPPLIES; DOCUMENTS EQUIPMENT USE AND CART SUPPLIES; MAINTAINS APPLICABLE RECORDS AND FILES.
• ASSISTS WITH THE MANANGEMENT OF DAILY ACTIVITIES AND SUPERVISION, SCHEDULING AND/OR EMPLOYEE TRAINING.
• THE DUTIES LISTED ARE GENERAL IN NATURE AND ARE EXAMPLES OF THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PERFORMED AND ARE NOT MEANT TO BE CONSTRUED AS EXCLUSIVE OR ALL-INCLUSIVE. MANAGEMENT RETAINS THE RIGHT TO ADD OR CHANGE DUTIES AT ANY TIME.

Physical and Environmental Demands
Requires occasional exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, constant handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment, frequent exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations, occasional working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours, occasional travelling to offsite locations, occasional activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, frequent bending, occasional lifting and carrying more than 25 pounds, occasional climbing, occasional crawling, occasional crouching/stooping, occasional driving, occasional kneeling, occasional pushing/pulling, constant reaching, occasional sitting, constant standing, frequent twisting, and frequent walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Time Type:

Full time

FLSA Designation/Job Exempt:

No

Pay Class:

Hourly

FTE %:

100

Work Shift:

Rotating

Benefits Eligibility:

Grant Funded:

No

Job Posting Date:

08/27/2026

Job Closing Date (open until filled if no date specified):