Sterile Processing Technician II

Aurora Health Care; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to decontaminate and sterilize instruments, manage case carts, and support surgical teams. The role requires familiarity with AORN and AAMI standards and involves handling high-cost instrumentation in a fast-paced hospital setting.

You'll ensure sterility, perform QA checks, and collaborate with nursing and ancillary departments to maintain efficient SPD operations. A current CRCST/CSPDT/CFER certification is required.

Qualifications

• Requires CRCST/CSPDT/CFER certification.
• High school diploma required.
• Typically 2 years Sterile Processing/Central Supply experience.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks.
• Familiarity with AORN/AAMI standards.

Responsibilities

• Receive soiled items and decontaminate; sort, rinse, wrap sets.
• Sterilize instruments and package items; perform QA testing.
• Care for high-cost instrumentation and equipment.
• Build case carts; respond to Code 4s; maintain CPR annies.
• Check incoming trays; report discrepancies.
• Operate autoclaves; ensure proper billing forms.
• Mentor Sterile Processing Technicians; liaise with departments.

Skills

Fast-paced environment

AORN standards knowledge

AAMI standards knowledge

Instrumentation knowledge

Censitrac tracking

Education

High School Graduate

2 years Sterile Processing experience

CRCST/CSPDT/CFER certification

Tools

Sterile processing equipment

Autoclave testing

Sterilization equipment

Job description

• Receives soiled and contaminated items in decontamination area. Sorts equipment, rinses as needed, places equipment through sonic tanks and washers, reassembles trays, performs safety checks, hangs and sorts instruments, wraps sets according to set policy, and wraps towels and basins appropriately.
• Sterilizes instruments and equipment using the aerator, gas sterilizer or steam sterilizer and operates glass dryer. Packages items in steri/peel as required. Performs quality assurance testing for all methods of sterilization to ensure sterility of supplies. Hand cleans miscellaneous instruments (Baxter pump, hypothermo units, etc.) and operates the cart cleaner.
• Ensures proper care and handling of high cost instrumentation and equipment to include items requiring special handling, laser instrumentation, orthopedic implants, cardiac assist devices, endoscopic and microscopic instrumentation.
• May build case carts according to procedure and physician preference as specified. File case cart sheets and requisitions, responds to Code 4s with defibrillator and back up supplies, maintains CPR annies, tests autoclaves with the tests according to procedure, and changes graphs as necessary.
• Checks incoming trays and follows up with departments as to missing instruments or parts.
• Takes immediate and appropriate action if a question of sterilizer failure occurs.
• Receives and records orders for supplies as requested by departments. Records accurate product number and assures all forms are correctly completed for proper billing. Marks, dates and stocks equipment, which may include returning to appropriate department on a timely basis.
• Opens and unpacks supply boxes, checking for damaged goods and number of items received. Reports any discrepancies to the supervisor. Performs credits for unused products returned, checks stock levels, copies supply sheets, checks carts for outdated supplies, and performs general cleaning of shelves.
• May performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Guides, mentors, and serves as a resource for Sterile Processing Technicians. Coordinates and collaborates with nursing and ancillary departments in organizing functions in SPD such as IV pumps, IC carts, SCD's. Acts as liaison between departments (surgical services, nursing, and ancillary departments).

Major Responsibilities

• Receives soiled and contaminated items in decontamination area. Sorts equipment, rinses as needed, places equipment through sonic tanks and washers, reassembles trays, performs safety checks, hangs and sorts instruments, wraps sets according to set policy, and wraps towels and basins appropriately.
• Sterilizes instruments and equipment using the aerator, gas sterilizer or steam sterilizer and operates glass dryer. Packages items in steri/peel as required. Performs quality assurance testing for all methods of sterilization to ensure sterility of supplies. Hand cleans miscellaneous instruments (Baxter pump, hypothermo units, etc.) and operates the cart cleaner.
• Ensures proper care and handling of high cost instrumentation and equipment to include items requiring special handling, laser instrumentation, orthopedic implants, cardiac assist devices, endoscopic and microscopic instrumentation.
• May build case carts according to procedure and physician preference as specified. File case cart sheets and requisitions, responds to Code 4s with defibrillator and back up supplies, maintains CPR annies, tests autoclaves with the tests according to procedure, and changes graphs as necessary.
• Checks incoming trays and follows up with departments as to missing instruments or parts.
• Takes immediate and appropriate action if a question of sterilizer failure occurs.
• Receives and records orders for supplies as requested by departments. Records accurate product number and assures all forms are correctly completed for proper billing. Marks, dates and stocks equipment, which may include returning to appropriate department on a timely basis.
• Opens and unpacks supply boxes, checking for damaged goods and number of items received. Reports any discrepancies to the supervisor. Performs credits for unused products returned, checks stock levels, copies supply sheets, checks carts for outdated supplies, and performs general cleaning of shelves.
• May performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Guides, mentors, and serves as a resource for Sterile Processing Technicians. Coordinates and collaborates with nursing and ancillary departments in organizing functions in SPD such as IV pumps, IC carts, SCD's. Acts as liaison between departments (surgical services, nursing, and ancillary departments).

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification issued by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), or
• Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) certification issued by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD), or
• Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) certification issued by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc (CBSPD).

Education Required

• High School Graduate.

Experience Required

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in Sterile Processing Department or Central Supply Department. Candidates to be considered may also have previous Surgical Technology experience or GI Lab Technician experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Ability to function in fast paced stressful, environment. Advanced understanding and knowledge of AORN standards, AAMI standards, and basic instrumentation.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding with Censitrac instrument tracking device. Knowledge of sterilization principles and applications.
• Familiarity with medical terminology.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist and reach above shoulders various times throughout the workday.
• Must be able to:
• lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• push/pull with 30 lbs of force.
• perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.
• Atmosphere in work environment may contain fumes and dust.
• Will be exposed to chemical hazards as well as blood and body fluids. Protective clothing must be worn as necessary.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.