Sterile Processing Tech, FT, Nights

Prisma Health; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Prisma Health's Central Sterile department at Richland Hospital seeks a dedicated Sterile Processing Tech for the night shift. You will decontaminate, assemble, and sterilize instruments, ensuring precise packaging and documentation for patient care.

The role includes operating autoclaves, maintaining records, and supporting ongoing training of teammates. No prior experience required, with education options in Sterile Processing or Surgical Tech; alternative HS diploma plus hospital exposure is

Qualifications

• Completion of coursework in Surgical Tech or Sterile Processing.
• No experience required.
• In lieu of education, a HS diploma with 6 months hospital experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs duties in Decontamination, Instrument Preparation and Assembly, and Sterilization/Disinfection relating to cleaning and sterilizing instruments and equipment to be used in patient care.
• Disassembles complex instruments, supplies and equipment; sorts and inspects for damage and reports needed repairs.
• Selects the mode of decontamination best suited for items on hand.
• Assembles, prepares and packages instrument trays, surgical instruments, equipment, and specialty items.
• Determines the appropriate sterilization or disinfection method and follows appropriate steps for reprocessing.
• Follows strict documentation guidelines for tray management, biological/chemical test results, equipment functionality, and reprocessing steps.
• Receives, sorts, disassembles and processes contaminated instruments and equipment using Infection Control guidelines.
• Assembles all instrument sets with proper documentation, correct labeling, and issue resolution.
• Sterilizes instruments and equipment using autoclaves, reprocesses equipment for high level disinfection, and operates machinery per specifications.
• Documents all activities in the Instrument Tracking System or established manual systems.
• Observes monitors and records results; initiates recalls as required.
• Issue items to customers and departments per established procedures.
• Mentors and coaches teammates; assists with training new staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Sterile processing training

Job description

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Job Summary

Performs duties in Decontamination, Instrument Preparation and Assembly, and Sterilization/Disinfection relating to cleaning and sterilizing instruments and equipment to be used in patient care. Disassembles complex instruments, supplies and equipment; sorts and inspects for damage and reports needed repairs. Selects the mode of decontamination best suited for items on hand. Assembles, prepares and packages instrument trays, surgical instruments, equipment, and specialty items. Determines the appropriate sterilization or disinfection method and follows appropriate steps for reprocessing. Follows strict documentation guidelines for tray management, biological/chemical test results, equipment functionality, and reprocessing steps.

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health’s purpose: Inspire health.Serve with compassion.Be the difference

• Receives, sorts, disassembles and processes contaminated instruments and equipment using the procedures and guidelines as established by Infection Control. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments and body fluids by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing and using ultrasonic or other mechanical methods, as applicable.

• Assembles all instrument sets following prescribed manner and as outlined on the Instrument Count Sheets. Properly documents missing items from the set and labels sets correctly. Takes action to correct problems with instrument sets and reports any unresolved issues.

• Sterilizes instruments, equipment, linen and supplies using various types of autoclaves and aerators. Reprocesses equipment via high level disinfection as appropriate. Loads and operates machinery in prescribed manner and sets controls to correct specifications for the items being sterilized.

• Documents all activities related to instrument/equipment decontamination, assembly, disinfection, and sterilization in the Instrument Tracking System (SPM, Censitrac) or established manual systems.

• Observe and interpret biological, mechanical and chemical monitors relevant to processing/sterilizing. Record results and maintains required records. Initiates recalls as required.

• Issues items to customers and departments according to established procedures.

• Observes and reports to supervisor any unfamiliar items with or without appropriate processing literature. Reports equipment requiring repair as needed. Is self-directed and intervenes with corrections to variances in the processing practice.

• Models Prisma Health behavior expectations. Assists with coaching, mentoring and training coworkers as assigned. Trains and assists with integration of new team members. Shares knowledge, ideas and expertise to support the team and the department.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibility

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Completion of job-related coursework: Surgical Tech, Sterile Processing Tech, or Dental Assistant training program.

• Experience - No experience required.

In Lieu Of

• In lieu of the education requirement only, will accept High School diploma or equivalent and 6 months experience in a hospital or clinical setting.

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Certification as either: CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) from HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association); OR CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician) from CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution) preferred

• Applicants without sterile processing certification are required to obtain CRCST certification via HSPA within ONE (1) year of meeting the eligibility requirements to sit for the certification exam. Eligibility is defined by HSPA as “10 weeks (400 hours) experience” in a Sterile Processing hospital setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• NA

Work Shift

Night (United States of America)

Location

Richland

Facility

Richland Hospital

Department

Central Sterile

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