Sterile Processing Technician I

Beth Israel Lahey Health; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Beth Israel Lahey Health is seeking a Sterile Technician I in the Boston area to decontaminate, inspect, and assemble surgical instruments. The role requires proficiency in instrument decontamination, assembly, and an understanding of sterilization methods linked to device processing.

You will operate decontamination equipment, maintain accurate tracking, and ensure trays are prepared to preserve sterility and ease of access for end users.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• 0–1 year of work experience required.
• Proficient in instrument decontamination and assembly.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates surgical instruments according to manufacturer’s instructions; operates decontamination equipment.
• Inspects instruments after decontamination for cleanliness, integrity, and functionality.
• Assembles trays ensuring sterility and easy access for end users; uses count sheets for accuracy.
• Interfaces with department tracking system for processing functions.
• Packages or containerizes instrument sets per guidelines and standards.
• Loads sterilizer carts so packed items are not damaged; loads containers and wrappers per recommendations.
• Runs daily sterilizer tests on all sterilizers.
• Operates sterilizers with proper instruction and monitors biological monitoring.
• Documents load contents; interfaces load to tracking system; confirms cycle parameters; records pertinent information.
• Unloads sterilizers and stores items in correct locations as per tracking system.

Skills

Decontamination

Inspection

Instrument assembly

Tracking/documentation

Safety protocols

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Sterilization equipment

Ultrasonic cleaner

Cart washer

Job description

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives. Responsible for the proper decontamination, inspection, assembly and sterilization of surgical instruments. Operate processing equipment. Proficient in instrument decontamination and assembly and will be aware of the sterilization methods available and which is appropriate in correlation with the devices that are to be processed. In addition to performing the duties of a Sterile Technician I, this position works in a specialty area and/or performs advanced or additional responsibilities.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

• Decontaminates surgical instruments according to manufacturer’s instructions or advised by the supervisor or manager. Will operate decontamination equipment.
• Inspects instruments after decontamination ensuring all items are clean, intact, functional, and accounted for.
• Assembles trays in a manner that ensures devise sterility as well as presenting a tray that is easy for the end user to access for use. Uses count sheets to ensure trays are assembled accurately for all trays.
• Interfaces with department tracking system for all functions of processing.
• Packages or containerizes instruments sets according to manufacturer’s guidelines and standards.
• Loads sterilizer carts in a way to ensure packaged items are not punctured or compromised, loads containers and wrapped goods as recommended.
• Runs daily sterilizer tests on all sterilizers.
• Operates sterilizer according to manufacturer’s instruction ensuring every load biological monitoring.
• Documents all load contents, interfaces load to tracking system, loads cycle confirming correct parameter, monitors sterilizer to tracking system, records all pertinent information.
• Unloads sterilizers ensuring items are not compromised and stores in correct location according to tracking system storage locations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Graduate or Equivalent.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• 0-1 years of work experience required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Activities: Sitting is rare. Stationary standing, walking, mobility, bending, twisting, and turning/pivoting are frequent. Squatting is occasional. Kneeling/crawling, climbing, and balancing are rare. Overhead reaching is occasional; extending across desk is frequent. Handling/fingering/keying, precision work, typing, writing, and grasping are frequent. Pinching and fine manipulating are rare. Pushing/pulling and repositioning patients is not applicable. Typical pushing/pulling weight is 41-60 lbs with a maximum over 100 lbs. Typical and maximum lifting/carrying weight is 31-40 lbs.

Sensory Activities: Close work, color discrimination, visual clarity beyond 20 feet, and visual clarity under 3 feet are essential functions. Visual monotony is a marginal function. Hot/cold and smell sensory discrimination are not applicable; sharp/dull discrimination is marginal.

Hearing in person and hearing on telephone are essential; monitoring equipment and background noise are marginal. Talking in person and talking on telephone are both essential.

Mental Activities: Reasoning/understanding, ability to follow directions, ability to adhere to assigned work schedule, ability to multitask, and ability to maintain consistent workflow and/or attention to detail are all essential functions. No other mental activities are listed.

Environmental Factors: There is potential exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Working alone, working with customer/public contact, working in confined spaces, working on slippery or uneven surfaces, and operating equipment are all occasional; equipment includes automated washers, cart washer, ultrasonic, and sterilizers. Working at heights is not applicable. Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, steam, and chemicals is frequent. Exposure to blood or other bodily fluids is frequent. Exposure to infectious disease and/or airborne pathogens and bloodborne pathogens are not applicable. Required safety and protective equipment includes gowns, gloves, eyewear, and mask.

Pay Range: $26.00 - $38.63 The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law. As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment. More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled At Beth Israel Lahey Health, we are driving the change in health care that Massachusetts wants and needs. Our culture promotes continuous learning, growth, innovation and a sense of belonging. We make it a priority to offer comprehensive compensation and benefits and help you achieve a healthy and balanced life. While you're busy caring for and supporting our patients, we take care of you.