Sterile Processing Technician - Sterilization, Children's and Women's Hospital

USA Health; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Health in Mobile, AL seeks a dedicated Sterile Processing Technician to ensure the safety of reusable medical devices. You will decontaminate, inspect, sterilize, and store instruments across departments, following AAMI and Joint Commission standards.

Responsibilities include instrument tracking, assembling sets, monitoring sterilization cycles, and maintaining a clean, compliant workspace while adhering to infection control policies.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the above requirements.

Responsibilities

• Decontamination, cleaning and high‑level disinfection of instruments; use appropriate PPE.
• Receive soiled supplies/equipment from departments; decontaminate, assemble, and operate decontamination equipment.
• Choose correct high‑level disinfection method (manual or AER) for heat‑sensitive items; document in tracking software.
• Assemble and document instrument sets; verify items are functional and complete; escalate missing items.
• Identify and place internal indicators; maintain a clean, organized work area; perform other duties as assigned.
• Sterilization and storage of reusable devices; select sterilization cycles, inspect packaging, and perform routine biological testing.
• Perform ongoing sterilizer monitoring and document results; follow infection control and safety standards; rotate as Scope Technician.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the above requirements

Job description

Overview

USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education, and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists, and researchers provides the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics, and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall well-being of our community.

Responsibilities

• Decontamination, Cleaning and High-Level Disinfection:
  
  
  
  • Utilizes approved PPE as appropriate.
  
  
  • Recieve soiled supplies/equipment from various departments/clinics throughout the hospital; sort, disassemble, select and perform correct process to decontaminate items. Clean, maintain, and operate a variety of decontamination equipment.
  
  
  • Following established procedures select appropriate High-Level Disinfection method, manual or automatic (AER), for heat sensitive instruments, equipment or flexible endoscopes.
  
  
  • Document receipt and all work in a timely manner utilizing tracking software.
  
  
  
  


• Assembly and Packaging:
  
  
  
  • Document all work performed utilizing instrument tracking software. Inspect and assemble all equipment, instruments, scopes, and instrument sets following product recipe, verifies items are functional, free of debris and required per instrument recipe.
  
  
  • Document items missing from instrument set, escalating set to Supervisor or Oesignee for further guidance.
  
  
  • Identifies and places appropriate internal indicator as required.
  
  
  • Maintains a clean and organized work area al all times. Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  
  


• Sterilization and Storage of Reusable Medical Devices:
  
  
  
  • Interprets package labeling to select appropriate sterilization method and approved cycle, options include Steam, Low Temperature, or other as required. Inspects packages to ensure all external indicators, filters, and/or labels are securely affixed to items and correct deficiencies before sterilization.
  
  
  • Load sterilizer as appropriate to ensure cycle completion; includes biological testing. Performs routine sterilizer testing including biological monitoring, leak test, and bowie dick test as appropriate.
  
  
  • Following established policies interprets and appropriately document results of sterilizer testing using tracking software.
  
  
  • Escalates positive results as appropriate for intervention. Removes and inspects items from sterilizer utilizing approved methods to preserve package integrity.
  
  
  • Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  
  


• Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  
  
  
  • Rotate as Scope Technician.
  
  
  • Requires efficient and safe practices while cleaning and processing flexible scopes.
  
  
  • Use of best practices while meeting all AAMI standards and Joint Commission requirements.
  
  
  • Ability to speak to practices and each other's to be proficeient.
  
  
  • Adheres to all hospital and departmental policies.
  
  
  
  
  • Utilizes proper body mechanics when moving equipment/supplies weighing up to 50 lbs and autoclave carts weighing up to 200 lbs.;
  
  
  • ability to stand for long periods of time.
  
  
  
  
  • Completes all mandatory department, educational and hospital requirements
  
  
  • Adheres to current Infection Control and Safety Standards
  
  
  • Regular and prompt attendance
  
  
  • Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required
  
  
  • Related duties as assigned
  
  
  
  

Additional Information

Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Required


• Comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the above requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis. EO Employer – minorities/females/veterans/disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.