Sterile Processing Tech

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies. 

While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

Job Summary

Performs efficient and meticulous decontamination/sterilization of surgical instruments and equipment, as well as inspecting and assembling surgical instruments, equipment, trays, and packs according to prescribed protocols and industry standards for aseptic technique.  Depending on assigned hospital, incumbents rotate assignments among various decontamination sterilization processing, surgical tray assembly, supply and distribution functions in a continually changing medical and surgical facility.  Work also includes: 1) tray assembly, 2) assisting in recordkeeping and monitoring equipment operations, 3) maintaining department inventory and 4) identifying and reporting supply, equipment, and procedure problems and 5) dispensing equipment and supplies.

Incumbents are also accountable for demonstrating awareness of personal and work area safety at all times; using evidence-based practices (EBP) and complying with facility safety policies and procedures in carrying out duties including those for blood borne pathogens and communicable diseases and; keeping knowledge current on aseptic techniques and basic microbiology sufficient to understand the ways diseases and infections are transmitted and the importance of clean and sterile supplies in patient care; attending training in new and improved sterilization practices and developments in the microbiology, bacteriology, and therapeutic practices as they affect the sterile supply operation.

Essential Duties

Collects and decontaminates and cleans reusable equipment and/or supplies and associated storage units in accordance with department, manufacturer, and OSHA standards.

Assembles instruments, complex instrument sets, and other surgical items and kits by selecting the appropriate items, trays, instruments, and arrange them in the correct manner permitting effective sterilization using existing standard operating procedures and surgical case count sheets.

Sterilizes equipment in accordance with department, manufacturer, and OSHA standards using different agents, which may include steam, hydrogen peroxide, paracetic acid, ethylene oxide, and glutaraldehyde.

Performs periodic tests on autoclave effectiveness and maintains accurate sterilization records.

Maintains supply area and inventory levels.

Performs related duties as required.

Education & Experience

Graduation from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management Course (preferred) and one year of related work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities, preferably in an operating room, acute care hospital or central services department preferred.

Licensure/Certification

• Current certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) by the International Association of Health Care Central Service Material Management (IAHCCSMM) at hire or within six months of date of hire; OR
• Current certification as a Certified Sterile Processing Distribution Technician (CSPDT) by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing.