ASCP Lead Sterile Processing Technician

Join a dedicated healthcare team in the heart of the Midwest region as a Lead Sterile Processing Technician. This role is vital in ensuring the highest standards of sterilization and instrument care to support life-saving procedures.

General Summary

The Lead Sterile Processing Technician oversees sterilization processes, operates technical equipment, and manages staff schedules and assignments to maintain smooth departmental operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Perform decontamination, cleaning, assembly, and sterilization of instruments, CASE carts, and equipment following manufacturer guidelines and healthcare policies.

Demonstrate proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), adhere to infection control standards, and utilize biological and chemical sterilization indicators.

Inspect, label, and document sterilizer loads, tray integrity, and test results to ensure compliance and quality assurance.

Test and maintain instrumentation functionality, remove defective equipment from service, and communicate issues to supervisors.

Maintain daily inventory of equipment and supplies; prepare instrument projections for upcoming surgical cases.

Provide technical assistance in the operating room and respond promptly to OR calls regarding tray sterility.

Assist with scheduling, training, and recordkeeping to support departmental leadership.

Identify workflow inefficiencies, implement process improvements, and promote continuous quality enhancement.

Develop and deliver training programs for sterile processing staff, ensuring adherence to best practices and industry standards.

Foster a collaborative team environment and participate in required on-call rotations, including holidays.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience

At least three months of experience in sterile processing is preferred. Leadership experience and familiarity with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Excel, Word) are advantageous.

Certification/License

Sterile Processing Technician certification must be obtained within the first year of employment.

Mental and Physical Requirements

This position requires considerable mental concentration to operate equipment and care for instruments properly. Physical demands include standing, walking, lifting up to 50 pounds, and reaching. The role involves working in close proximity to others and sometimes in distracting environments.

Working Conditions

Exposure to wet and humid conditions during instrument decontamination is common. Occasional exposure to temperature fluctuations, fumes, airborne particles, and communicable diseases through contact with contaminated instruments and supplies is expected. The role requires working in small, confined spaces for extended periods.