Sterilization Services Tech I - Per Diem / Day Shift

This position is responsible for the decontamination, assembly, and sterilization of all instruments used throughout the hospital including general surgical instrumentation. Responsibilities include receiving, sorting, and decontamination of surgical/clinic items and instrumentation; inspection and packaging of single instruments and instrument kits; identification of appropriate sterilization method and cycle selection, appropriate documentation for all sterile processes; and accurate inventory assignment relating to the case cart build process. 

Hours: Per Diem / Varied Shifts

Day shift position -flexible hours. No holidays or weekends.

Shifts are 6 hours/day - 3 days per week/flexible

Location: MelroseWakefield Hospital

What We Offer: 
• Competitive salaries & benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with hospital match
• Opportunities for growth  
• Free on-campus parking

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. High school diploma or equivalent. 

2. Central Services Technician National Certification (CRCST) OR Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) within 12 months of hire. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Completion of a certified program in Central Processing. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Receives soiled, used, and/or contaminated equipment, surgical instruments, scopes, and supplies from Operating Rooms, patient care units, and specialized areas. 

2. Disassembles items as needed before choosing appropriate cleaning method. 

3. Identifies items in need of repair upon receipt and ensures information is maintained during cleaning process. 

4. Selects and utilizes appropriate manual cleaning tools to achieve instrument decontamination, including but not limited to instrument brushes, enzymatic detergent, flushing devices, ultrasonic bath, leak testers, etc. 

5. Selects and utilizes appropriate automated cleaning tools to achieve instrument decontamination; this includes loading and selecting appropriate cycles on automated washers. 

6. Documents all work performed utilizing instrument tracking software. 

7. Inspects and assembles all equipment, instruments, scopes, and instrument sets following product recipe, verifies items are functional, free of debris and required per instrument recipe. 

8. Documents items missing from instrument set, escalating set to SPD Supervisor or Designee for further guidance. 

9. Selects appropriate packaging method, including any sterilization accessories (corner protectors etc.) ensures all external indicators and/or labels are securely affixed to item.   

10. Transports items to sterilization as needed. 

11. Interprets package labeling to select appropriate sterilization method and approved cycle, options include Steam, Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma, or others as required. 

12. Inspects packages to ensure all external indicators, filters, and/or labels are securely affixed to items, returns non-satisfactory products to instrument room. 

13. Loads sterilizer as appropriate to ensure cycle completion; includes biological testing as appropriate. Performs routine sterilizer testing and maintenance including biological monitoring, leak test, bowie dick test, and daily/weekly sterilizer maintenance as appropriate.  

14. Utilizes patient specific pick lists to accurately gather surgical instruments and disposable supplies requested by attending surgeon or another Peri-Operative representative. 

15. Documents case cart build process in instrument tracking software, continuously updating the record as items are fulfilled to maintain integrity of needs list. 

16. Inspects items during the pick process to ensure package integrity remains intact, package is within expiration date, and substitutions are appropriate. 

17. Communicates unmet surgical supply requests to leadership for resolution assistance. 

18. Returns supplies not used after surgical procedures to their proper stock location. 

19. Wears personal protective equipment (PPE) as required and at all times. 

20. Maintains cleans work area by wiping area with antibacterial agent upon work completion or as needed. 

21. Documents arrival and cleaning process utilizing asset tracking software. 

22. Interprets and appropriately documents results of sterilizer testing.  

23. Escalates positive results as appropriate for intervention. 

About Melrose/Wakefield Hospital & Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Melrose/Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford are two campuses with one community in mind: the people of north suburban Boston.  Melrose/Wakefield Hospital and Lawrence Memorial Hospital are distinguished by the range of high-quality clinical care and services. Our teams welcome everyone with hospitality and humanity. We focus on reducing health disparities through 40 local health programs across a system of hospitals, urgent care locations, outpatient services, and community physicians.

Core to our values, Melrose/Wakefield Hospital’s commitment to community is demonstrated by our many local health programs throughout our service area and participation in partnerships with community agencies and events, and education programs in more than 10 communities to support the wellness and health of our residents.