Sterile Processing Tech 4

UCSF Health; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UCSF Health is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to oversee technical operations within the SPD, coordinating with OR leadership to ensure equipment readiness and safe patient flow. The role partners with loaner coordinators and vendors to secure equipment for procedures and troubleshoot issues across departments.

Strong communication, leadership, and computer skills are essential, with the ability to orient across UCSF Medical Center locations and support staff development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of SPD experience.
• Knowledge of SPD operations including decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, and sterilization.
• Ability to operate sterilization and processing equipment (sterilizers, washers, ultrasonic cleaners).
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Basic computer skills including Windows OS and basic software.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with OR leadership to ensure equipment is safe and ready for procedures.
• Troubleshoot equipment, instruments, and customer issues; escalate to leadership as needed.
• Collaborate with loaner coordinators, vendors, and OR staff to obtain requested equipment.
• Participate in performance improvement planning and staff development initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Leadership abilities

Computer literacy

Critical thinking

English communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree (preferred) in healthcare

Tools

Sterilizers

Washers

Ultrasonic cleaners

Job description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

In conjunction with SPD leadership, the incumbent serves as a proactive resource to assist with the oversight of technical operations, ensuring that departmental mission effectiveness is realized. The incumbent must possess critical thinking skills to prioritize and coordinate needs for instrumentation as requested by a variety of service lines to ensure effective patient flow and demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate patterns of escalation to leadership in order to enable rapid service recovery when issues are detected. The incumbent in this position will coordinate with the operating room leadership to ensure that equipment is in an appropriate condition for safe, effective use. They will also work in conjunction with loaner coordinators, vendors and OR personal to ensure that requested equipment is available for selected procedures. The incumbent troubleshoots equipment, instrument, and customer issues. Incumbent interfaces with OR, ancillary departments, and outside companies. Participates in performance improvement planning and implementation. Demonstrates excellent communication skills and works closely with management, SPD Educator and SPD Quality Coordinator to implement change management and staff development opportunities. This position requires the flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Minimum of four (4) years of previous Sterile Processing Technician experience.
• Knowledge of all areas of Sterile Processing Department (SPD) operations, including:
  • Decontamination
  • Inspection, assembly, and packaging across all service lines
  • Sterilization of packaged medical devices
  • Quality control (QC) and sterilization recordkeeping
  • Distribution of sterile products
  • Preparation, building, and quality assurance (QA) of case carts
• Ability to operate sterile processing machinery and equipment, including:
  • Sterilizers
  • Washers
  • Ultrasonic cleaners
• Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Basic knowledge of computer systems, including Windows operating systems and keyboard and mouse operations.
• Demonstrated ability to competently perform multiple complex tasks.
• Detailed knowledge of:
  • Medical terminology
  • Departmental policies and procedures
  • Regulatory standards
  • Leading industry practices
• Knowledge of standard precautions for safety and prevention of cross-contamination.
• Detailed knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English sufficiently to communicate effectively with nursing, technical, and medical staff.
• Ability to safely move heavy trays and equipment, lift up to 50 pounds, and stand for prolonged periods.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Current Certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Tech (CRCST), IAHCSMM or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT), CBSPD, or Surgical Technologist Certification (CST).
• If CST certified, must obtain an SPD certification within one year of hire and maintain certification thereafter.
• Advanced certification, such as a Surgical Instrument Specialist, SPD Manager or other advanced SPD certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous lead or supervisory experience in a sterile processing setting.
• Previous preceptor experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

About Us

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values . In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here . Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html