Sterile Processing Technician

Methodist Health System is seeking a Certified Sterile Processing Technician to join our Healthcare & Medical Services team. In this vital role, you will decontaminate, inspect, assemble, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and medical equipment to support safe, high-quality patient care. You will follow strict infection prevention standards, maintain accurate documentation, and collaborate closely with surgical, nursing, and supply teams. Our culture emphasizes integrity, compassion, accountability, and inclusion, offering opportunities for professional growth and comprehensive benefits within a respected Texas health system.

Responsibilities

• Receive, sort, and transport used instruments and equipment from surgical and clinical areas following safe handling and infection control procedures
• Perform manual and mechanical cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection of instruments and equipment using approved detergents, washers, and disinfectors
• Inspect instruments and devices for cleanliness, function, and integrity; identify and remove damaged or unsafe items from service
• Assemble, package, and label instrument sets, trays, and procedure packs according to count sheets and surgeon preference cards
• Operate steam and low temperature sterilizers, selecting appropriate cycles and ensuring correct load configuration and documentation
• Monitor and interpret chemical and biological indicators, documenting sterilization records and reporting any failures or deviations
• Maintain organized storage of sterile and clean supplies, rotating stock and ensuring proper environmental conditions
• Use instrument tracking and inventory management systems to log, locate, and distribute instrument sets and equipment
• Support operating rooms and procedural areas by ensuring timely availability and delivery of required instrument sets and supplies
• Follow all hospital, regulatory, and accreditation standards related to infection prevention, safety, and quality control
• Participate in staff meetings, in service education, and competency assessments; assist in training new or less experienced team members
• Demonstrate Methodist Health System values of integrity, compassion, accountability, and collaboration in daily work

Required Skills

• Sterile processing of surgical instruments
• Decontamination and disinfection procedures
• Operation of autoclaves and sterilization equipment
• Instrument assembly and tray configuration
• Use of tracking and inventory management systems
• Understanding of infection prevention and control standards
• Reading and interpreting surgeon preference cards
• Quality control and documentation
• Safe handling of biohazardous materials
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Basic computer and electronic medical record skills
• Effective communication with surgical and nursing teams