Sterile Processing Technician

Houston Methodist; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform provided

Health insurance options

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

Houston Methodist is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician responsible for decontaminating, assembling, and sterilizing surgical instruments and medical equipment. The technician plays a crucial role in maintaining workflow between the Operating Room and Central Service Sterile Processing while ensuring excellent customer service.

The ideal candidate must possess a high school diploma and be certified in Sterile Processing within a year of hire. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential in ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent education.
• Formal education through a Sterile Processing program preferred.
• Effective communication skills essential for teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates and assembles surgical trays and instruments.
• Sterilizes surgical instruments following guidelines.
• Maintains workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing.

Skills

Customer service skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High School diploma or equivalent education

Sterile Processing program

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic instrument tracking systems

Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Sterile Processing Technician position is responsible for decontamination, assembly, inspection, wrapping, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for Surgical Services and all ancillary departments, which includes working in conjunction with the Operating Room (OR) staff to provide timely sterile products, trays, and case carts where applicable. The position maintains consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Central Service Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.

FLSA Status: Non‑exempt

Qualifications

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)
• Formal education through a Sterile Processing program preferred

Experience

• None

Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Sterile Processing certification: CRCST or CSPDT within 1 year

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
• Independently demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing assessments.
• Follows Universal Precautions by wearing the appropriate protective attire while working in the Decontamination area.
• Exhibits interpersonal and team‑player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and ensures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co‑workers.
• Utilizes basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking systems, if applicable.
• Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries made to the department.
• Maintains patient and family privacy.

Essential Functions

People Essential Functions

• Communicates with staff from the interprofessional health care team concerning patient safety to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care through effective assignment and shift handoffs, using a structured format. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.
• Responds positively to requests for assistance, collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment, and uses problem resolution effectively.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer‑to‑peer accountability.

Service Essential Functions

• Performs decontamination and assembly of basic surgical trays, individual instrumentation, and equipment utilizing established count sheets. Wraps or contains items appropriately according to size and type of instrument or equipment.
• Provides timely sterile products, trays, and case carts by location, following the guidance of experienced surgical technicians and in conjunction with the OR staff.
• Sterilizes instruments and surgical trays by following prescribed manufacturer instructions and institutional policies and procedures.
• Organizes workload utilizing available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks as needed; provides consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Utilizes appropriate cleaning detergents and agents by reading directions and SDS sheets.
• Uses all department equipment according to manufacturers’ instructions for use and department policies and protocols.
• Ensures through visual inspection that trays have completed the quality process according to AAMI standards for patient use.

Finance Essential Functions

• Self‑motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, cleaning the workstation at the end of each shift, and minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
• Uses department resources efficiently to ensure completeness of trays, instruments, and equipment according to count sheets; does not waste supplies.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Understands, applies, and demonstrates industry Sterile Processing standards, i.e., Steam, ETO, and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide.
• Participates in department projects and Shared Governance committee for department; follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments.
• Identifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts, and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the Individual Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

Supplemental Requirements

Work Attire

• Uniform: Yes
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): No

On‑Call

Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc.) regardless of selection below.

• On Call: Yes

Travel

Travel specifications may vary by department.

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No