Sterile Processing Tech - Augusta

experiencedAlliedHealth; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellstar Health System in Georgia is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to ensure instruments meet quality and safety standards. The role handles cleaning, sterilizing, packing, and storage of surgical instruments across departments.

The ideal candidate has at least 2 years in central supply/sterile processing, good English communication, and basic computer skills. This position offers a stable, teamwork-driven environment within a leading health system.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 2 years of central supply/sterile processing experience preferred.
• Must be able to understand, speak, and write English well.

Responsibilities

• Collects and processes dirty instruments from hospital departments.
• Decontaminates, cleans, sterilizes, and inspects instruments.
• Operates washer-decontaminator, cart washer, and ultrasonic cleaner.
• Scans barcodes, selects counts, and prepares packs.
• Maintains records and follows infection control standards.

Skills

English proficiency

Basic computer skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Job Summary:

The Sterile Processing Technician provides a key service WellStar to ensure equipment consistently meets the highest quality and safety standards. The individual in this role must be skilled in following protocols with a high level of attention to detail. This position receives and processes incoming supplies and equipment including performing cleaning and sterilizing duties. He she is responsible for handling, properly processing and storing crucial medical instruments. He/she is responsible for sterilizer equipment monitoring for adherence to performance specifications, including inspection and documentation. He/she prepares packs of supplies, linens, and instruments in Central Sterile Supply or Materials Management as directed.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Collects dirty instruments and equipment from departments throughout the hospital.
• Receives dirty instruments and scans bar code and equipment from the operating room.
• Disassembles and inspects instruments and selects appropriate cleaning tools and detergents to manually decontaminate instruments and equipment.
• Operates washer-decontaminator, cart washer, and ultrasonic cleaner to mechanically decontaminate instruments and equipment.
• Inspects instruments and equipment to ensure in proper working order and for cleanliness.
• Scans bar code to Select appropriate count sheet for tray and ensures each instrument is accounted for.
• Selects appropriate chemical indicator for inside and outside of package based on mode of sterilization.
• Selects appropriate wrapping method or container.
• Assesses problems with trays and contacts O.R. resource staff and supply coordinator as needed for resolution.
• Appropriately select mode of sterilization for instruments and equipment.
• Loads and unloads sterilizer and documents accordingly.
• Selects biological indicator test pack if necessary for implantables on load.
• Operates steam, gas plasma and peracetic acid sterilizers.
• Appropriately handles, scans bar code and stores sterilized items in predetermined locations for future use.
• Scans bar code and delivers sterile supplies, instruments and instrument trays to units throughout the hospital.
• Inspects sterilizer before use by checking for proper operating order by checking power supply, emptying drains, cleaning, and adding register tape as needed.
• Performs daily biological and diagnostic tests and documents appropriately, factually and legibly.
• Inform leadership in the event of positive biological indicator.
• Selects appropriate chemical indicators internally and externally according to mode of sterilization and documents results.
• Follows established policies and procedures for Blood Born Pathogens and Standard Precautions to identify and reduce the risks of infections among patients, employees, etc.
• Handles all department, patient and hospital information in a confidential manner.
• Makes suggestions for improvement, accepts constructive feedback, assists and accepts assistance from staff members.
• Documents accurately and legibly.
• Maintains a safe, functional and effective environment for patients, staff and other individuals.
• Promotes through action an environment for an interdisciplinary team approach to achieve the mission/goals of the hospital.
• Makes decisions that reflect knowledge of facts and demonstrates good judgment when functioning as a team member of team leader.

Inspects surgical instruments and medical equipment and detect need for repair or replacement and inspects for cleanliness, assembles, wraps or containerizes instruments and equipment. a. Unloads Washer and scans bar codes on surgical trays.

Sterilizes instruments, equipment and supplies as required; handles and stores instruments, equipment and supplies appropriately.

Monitors sterilizers and equipment mechanically, biologically, and chemically in accordance with quality assurance standards and performance improvement standards.

Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards, patient rights and ethics, performance improvement, management of information, management of human resources and leadership.

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma General or GED General or Accredited Program Other-Preferred

Required Minimum Experience:

Minimum 2 years of central supply/sterile processing experience preferred
completion of accredited program in sterile processing/central supply preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Must be able to retain knowledge of identification and necessary handling requirements of surgical instruments and medical supplies and equipment.
Must be able to understand, speak, and write English well to communicate with the nursing, technical and medical staff.
Basic computer skills are required.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.