Sterile Processing & Surgical Technology Educator

WVU Medicine; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

PVH Potomac Valley Hospital is seeking a lead surgical technologist to provide direct intraoperative care, mentor scrub personnel, and standardize instrumentation and preference cards across service lines. This role partners with OR leadership to ensure safe, efficient operations and ongoing staff development.

The position requires CRCST/CSPDT, CST certification, and a minimum of 3 years in Surgical Technology, with preferred educator certification and potential leadership duties.

Qualifications

• Certified/registered sterile processing credentials as required within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead onboarding and continuing education for SPD and Surgical Technology staff.
• Ensure staff competency through annual assessments and validations.
• Collaborate with SPD, OR, and Infection Control to maintain regulatory readiness (AAMI, AORN, CMS, TJC).
• Facilitate cross-training and career development between SPD and Surgical Technology roles.
• Assist with new technology, equipment, instruments, and procedures.
• Lead root cause analysis education after instrument processing or setup errors.
• Support quality assurance activities including tray audits and process improvement.

Skills

Surgical instrumentation knowledge

Communication and teaching skills

Computer literacy (MS Office, LMS)

Independent and collaborative work

Education

CRCST or CSPDT certification within 1 year

Surgical Technologist Certification (NBSTSA/NCCT/AAHA)

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Associate's degree (preferred)

Instructor educator certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Learning Management System

Job description

Serves as the lead surgical technologist supporting the delivery of surgical technician services within assigned service lines. Provides direct intraoperative patient care by functioning as the primary scrub person during operative procedures. Acts as a mentor to surgical technologists performing scrub duties on service-specific cases, promoting consistency and skill development. Collaborates with the RN Service Line Coordinator to standardize instrumentation, maintain accurate preference cards, and ensure efficient case preparation. Assists in the oversight, care, and monitoring of service-specific equipment and supply inventory and to support safe and effective surgical operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) , through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) within 1 year of hire
2. Current Surgical Technologist Certification through one of the following boards:

• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
• National Center for Competencies Testing (NCCT)
• American Allied Health Association (AAHA)

Basic Life Support (BLS

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum 3 years of experience in Surgical Technology.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Associate’s Degree in healthcare-related field preferred
2. Instructor or educator certification preferred (e.g., AST Educator, IAHCSMM Instructor).

EXPERIENCE:

1. Experience in Sterile Processing, with a minimum of 3 years preferred.
2. Previous experience in an educator, preceptor, or leadership role strongly preferred.

CORE JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Develops, coordinates, and delivers onboarding and continuing education for SPD and Surgical Technology staff.
2. Ensures staff competency through annual assessments, skills validations, and just-in-time training.
3. Collaborates with SPD, OR, and Infection Control leadership to maintain regulatory readiness (e.g., AAMI, AORN, CMS, The Joint Commission).
4. Facilitates cross-training opportunities and career development pathways between SPD and Surgical Technology roles.
5. Assists with the implementation of new technology, equipment, instruments, and procedures.
6. Leads root cause analysis education following errors related to instrument processing or surgical setup.
7. Supports quality assurance efforts, including tray audits, biological monitoring education, and process improvement initiatives.
8. Develops and maintains educational materials, competency checklists, and policies relevant to SPD and ST practice.
9. Serves as a clinical preceptor and mentor to new and existing team members.
10. Assists in preparing staff for national certification (CRCST, CST, CBSPD, etc.).
11. Coordinates with vendors for in-servicing and new product education.
12. Participates in SPD and OR team huddles and department meetings to share learning opportunities and safety updates.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, squatting, and stooping.
2. Requires sitting at a computer terminal on an average of 1-2 hours a day.
3. Requires verbal ability to communicate with patients and staff.
4. Requires corrective vision and hearing within normal range.
5. Requires ability to lift and carry items of various weights and sizes.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong knowledge of surgical procedures, instrumentation, and sterilization techniques.
2. Effective communication, presentation, and teaching skills.
3. Proficient in computer use, including Microsoft Office and learning management systems.
4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Exempt)

Company:

PVH Potomac Valley Hospital

Cost Center:

72 PVH Nursing Operating Room

Address:

100 Pin Oak Lane

Keyser

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively “WVUHS”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.