Sterile Processing Technician II

UCLA Health and David Geffen School of Medicine; Rancho Mirage (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health and David Geffen School of Medicine is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to ensure sterilization and decontamination of surgical and procedural instruments. The role requires CRCST and CER certifications and at least two years of experience in sterile processing.

The position involves maintaining instrument sets, using tracking systems, supporting quality improvements, and collaborating with surgical teams to ensure patient safety and efficient operating room workflows.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of Sterile Processing Technician experience.
• Familiar with IFU guidelines for cleaning.
• CRCST and CER certifications required.
• Knowledge of instrument decontamination and sterilization processes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with Code of Conduct and policies; report concerns.
• Follow IFU guidelines for cleaning and sterilization through appropriate cycles.
• Assist with staff training and act as a preceptor when needed.
• Support leadership with new technology or process improvements.
• Collaborate with surgical teams to troubleshoot decontamination issues.
• Operate instrument tracking systems and ensure traceability and quality.
• Maintain quality improvement initiatives within the department.
• Differentiate single-use vs reusable instruments and manage packaging.

Skills

Policy compliance

Communication skills

Stress management

Time management

Lifting 25 lbs

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

CRCST Certification

CER Certification

Job description

Job Objective:

Provides system wide support for the hospital, surgical and clinic instruments, intubation boxes and crash carts. Work directly impacts patient care by preventing infections through proper decontamination, cleaning, inspecting, assembling, sterilization, handling and transportation of surgical and procedural instrumentation. Assists leadership team with process and workflow efficiency improvements.

Job Description:

Education:

Required: High school diploma, GED or higher level degree if hired after July 1, 2023

Licensure/Certification:

Required: Certified Registered Central Service Technician Certification (CRCST) and Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) Certification

Experience:

Required: Two (2) years of experience as a Sterile Processing Technician

Essential Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
• Uses manufacturer “Information for Use” (IFU) guidelines for cleaning, including solution selection and dilution rates for specific instruments, disassemble, reassemble, sterilization or high-level disinfecting and storage/packaging with appropriate devices to protect intricate and delicate instruments and ensure that surgical instrument sets are complete and operational for successfully reuse.
• Assists with staff training; may be assigned to partner, oversee or to be a preceptor for Sterile Processing Technician Is, as needed.
• Assists leadership with new technology, equipment or process flows within Sterile Processing areas.
• Partners with the procedure and surgical teams to troubleshoot and problem-solve issues with sterile processing, medical devices, instrument sets and/or case carts.
• Operates and utilizes computerized instrument management (tracking) system throughout the life cycle of instruments and sets in sterile processing; tracks instrumentation and quality assurance processes and completes all documentation to ensure traceability and compliance.
• Supports leadership in identifying, creating and maintaining quality improvement efforts and projects in department.
• Identifies, selects and separates instrumentation needing manual decontamination from those that are safe for machine decontamination.
• Combines instruments into sets and selects appropriate sterilization or high-level disinfection process.
• Operates and trouble shoots sterilizing/cleaning/disinfecting machines, performs biologic sterilization tests, confirms 100% sterilization compliance on every instrument/set processed, utilizes computerized instrument tracking (bar-code) systems, transports sets to storage locations and distributes to the end users.
• Functions to properly disassemble, inspect and reassemble all instruments with knowledge of instrument details.
• Initiates, runs cleaning cycles, investigates errors and maintain technically advanced decontamination equipment.
• Inspects instrumentation for contaminates and ensures instruments and equipment are in good working order prior to assembly.
• Identifies “single use” vs “multiple use” instruments and discards those single use instruments.
• Identifies, selects, and performs proper usage of sterilization wraps, containers and peal-pouch packaging all with selecting the appropriate sterility quality control indicators.
• Selects, performs and interprets diagnostic tests and biological tests on multiple models and types of sterilization machines.
• Collects instruments/sets and develops “surgical case carts” for each individual surgical case performed in the operating rooms. Identifies and selects non-instrument medical supplies for surgical cases utilizing surgeon preference cards.
• Processes all opened or used Emergency Crash Carts (adult carts and pediatric carts) and replaces any used items, checks for outdated supplies, restocks and reseals Crash Carts.
• Processes used Emergency Intubation Boxes and replaces any used items, checks for outdated supplies, restocks and reseals Emergency Intubation boxes and redistributes to the sites of care throughout the hospital and clinics.
• Supports and assists the Supply Coordinator to maintain defined par levels of supplies utilized in Central Sterile Processing.
• Contributes to maximum efficiency and priorities established by the daily OR surgery schedules.
• Supports initiatives on process improvements, quality improvement, cost reduction and sustainability initiatives.
• Maintains knowledge of risks and daily use and application of PPE with exposure to large amounts of contaminated and sharp instruments with known and unknown biohazard risk.
• Follows manufacturer’s recommendations on dilution of all chemicals used throughout the department.
• Prioritizes the need for instruments, equipment and supplies based on the scheduled surgical cases, surgeries in process and add-on surgical cases.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Skils:

• Ability to be assertive and consistent in following policies
• Ability to effectively communicate in a positive and professional manner
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations in a calm and professional manner
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines
• Ability to routinely lift up to 25 pounds with instrument set processing, storage and distribution
• Problem solving skills to identify issues and formulate effective solutions
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and unexpected situations