Sterile Processing Technician I

KDMC Ashland Hospital Corporation; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

N/A

Job summary

KDMC Ashland Hospital Corporation is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician in Ashland, KY. You will clean, decontaminate, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments to support patient care and infection prevention.

You will handle disinfectants, operate washers/ultrasonic cleaners, and maintain accurate logs while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in a fast-paced OR support role.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and vocational/technical training in a designated technical area.
• 0–2 years of experience in a healthcare, clinical setting, or a relevant area.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered; paid experience only.

Responsibilities

• Cleans, decontaminates, and sterilizes equipment, supplies, and surgical instruments.
• Assembles and prepares instrument trays and packs for various surgical cases, including emergencies.
• Prepares and uses disinfectants and other solutions for decontamination.
• Operates mechanical washers and ultrasonic cleaners for processing.
• Runs, incubates, reads, and records biological and diagnostic tests daily.
• Stores sterilized items in proper areas and maintains control logs.
• Tracks equipment and instruments with accurate records per standards.
• Identifies surgical instruments promptly to respond to OR emergencies.
• Recognizes safety hazards and initiates corrective actions as needed.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Infection control

Safety awareness

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Vocational/technical training

Tools

Mechanical washers

Ultrasonic cleaners

Biological monitoring equipment

Job description

At UK King's Daughters, we’re not just a healthcare facility — we’re a family of dedicated professionals who share a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients. We’re more than just a place to work; we’re a place to grow, thrive, and contribute to our community.

Job Summary

Responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, and assembling surgical instruments and equipment to support patient care and infection prevention. Processes and decontaminates used instruments, assembles surgical trays, and maintains supply inventory. Answers unit phone calls, responds to operating room requests, and ensures cleanliness of the department and workstations. Applies knowledge of regulatory standards for universal precautions, sterilization methodologies, and biological monitoring. Ensures compliance with certification requirements and maintains high standards of safety and quality.

Essential Functions

• Cleans, decontaminates, and sterilizes equipment, supplies, and surgical instruments.
• Assembles and prepares instrument trays and packs for a variety of surgical cases, ensuring timely response during urgent or emergency procedures.
• Prepares and uses disinfectants and other solutions as required for decontamination.
• Operates mechanical washers and ultrasonic cleaners for instrument and equipment processing.
• Runs, incubates, reads, and records biological and diagnostic tests daily to ensure sterilization standards are met.
• Places sterilized items in proper storage areas after processing and maintains control systems for processed supplies.
• Tracks equipment and instruments, maintaining accurate logs and records according to standards and policies.
• Identifies all surgical instruments promptly to respond to emergency situations in the operating room.
• Recognizes safety hazards and biological failures, initiating corrective or preventive measures as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirement

High school diploma or equivalent and vocational/technical training in a designated technical area

Experience Requirement

0–2 years of experience in a healthcare, clinical setting, or a relevant area

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. All experience must be paid and in the same related field. Part‑time and PRN experience will be prorated based on hours worked per week. Volunteer work and internships for academic credit are not counted.

Certifications & Licensures

N/A

Working Conditions

• A. Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• B. Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects over 50lbs: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• C. Standing or walking with objects up to 10lbs: 4. Regular (> 50% of the time)
• D. Standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• E. Sitting at computer workstation for extended periods: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• F. Risk of back injury from moving, lifting or positioning patients, equipment, or materials: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• G. Repetitive motion: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• H. Working at heights above 4 feet: 1. Never
• I. Working in confined spaces: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• J. Risk of injuries from use of equipment on the job: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• K. Job-related travel: 1. Never
• L. Loud noises: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• M. Temperature extremes: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• N. Hazardous chemicals and fumes including waste: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• O. Radiation: 1. Never
• P. Burns: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• Q. Cuts/Punctures: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• R. Bloodborne/airborne pathogens: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• S. Recombinant DNA or viral vectors: 1. Never
• T. Combative/violent people: 1. Never
• U. Animal handling (including carcasses): 1. Never
• V. Please specify other(s) and amount of exposure (i.e. Occasional, Intermittent or Regular): N/A

Physical Demands

This position requires regular standing or walking with objects weighing up to 10 pounds; intermittent standing or walking with objects up to 25 pounds; intermittent lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 50 pounds, with occasional lifting, pushing, and/or pulling of objects over 50 pounds; occasional sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time; and performing tasks with repetitive motions. Also involves some exposure to risk of injury from moving, lifting, or positioning equipment or materials; and exposure to hazardous chemicals and fumes including waste, cuts/punctures, bloodborne or airborne pathogens, burns, and occasional work in confined spaces.

Additional Job Descriptions

N/A

Department: Sterile Processing Department

Shift: Flex (United States of America)

Time Type: Full time

Address: 2201 Lexington Avenue City, State: Ashland, Kentucky

Our growth is creating opportunities! Our team is expanding, and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it!

Our Work Experience is the combination of everything that’s unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, it’s our people. Our employees are self-disciplined, hard working, curious, trustworthy, humble, and truthful.