Sterile Processing Technician in Winter Garden, Florida at Surgical Institute of Central Florida LLC

Position Summary

The Sterile Processing Technician plays a vital role in ensuring that all surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies are properly cleaned, decontaminated, sterilized, inspected, and stored in compliance with AAAHC, AAMI, OSHA, and AHCA regulations. The SPT supports the surgical team by maintaining an efficient, safe, and sterile environment to promote patient safety and high-quality care in a busy multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center.

• Receive, sort, and transport soiled instruments and equipment from operating/procedure rooms to the decontamination area.
• Follow approved infection-control protocols and use appropriate PPE to ensure safety and prevent cross-contamination.
• Pre-clean and inspect instruments for damage or malfunction, promptly reporting any issues.

Sterilization & Assembly

• Assemble surgical trays and sets according to case-specific instrument lists and surgeon preferences.
• Operate, monitor, and document autoclave cycles, ultrasonic cleaners, washers, and other sterilization equipment per manufacturer’s instructions and AAMI ST79 guidelines.
• Maintain accurate load records, biological and chemical indicator logs, and sterilizer maintenance documentation.

Storage & Distribution

• Ensure sterile packs, peel pouches, and trays are properly packaged, labeled, dated, and stored in designated sterile storage areas.
• Rotate supplies based on expiration dates and remove any compromised or outdated items.
• Deliver sterile instruments and supplies to operating and procedure rooms efficiently and in a timely manner.

• Maintain strict adherence to infection-prevention standards as outlined by AAAHC, AHCA, OSHA, CDC, and facility policies.
• Participate in daily, weekly, and monthly quality assurance audits, including temperature/humidity checks, biological testing, and equipment maintenance logs.
• Follow facility protocols for handling, tracking, and reporting of loaner trays, specialty devices, and endoscopes.
• Participate in ongoing education and in-service training to maintain current knowledge of sterile processing best practices.

Team Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with OR staff, anesthesia providers, and Materials Management to ensure case readiness.
• Assist with inventory control, back-up supply ordering, and restocking as needed.
• Support special projects and accreditation readiness activities as assigned by the DON or Administrator.

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
  
• Certification: Must hold a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) credential through HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM) or a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) credential through CBSPD.
  
• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of recent sterile processing experience in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center setting.
  
• Technical Knowledge:
  
  • Proficiency in decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments.
  • Working knowledge of AAMI ST79, AORN, OSHA, and CDC standards for sterilization and infection prevention.
  • Ability to operate and monitor autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, washer-disinfectors, and other sterilization equipment.
    
• Documentation & Compliance: Ability to maintain accurate sterilization logs, biological and chemical indicator results, and equipment maintenance records.
  
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs, with manual dexterity for handling small instruments.
  
• Preferred:
  
  • Experience reprocessing flexible endoscopes and using Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AERs).
  • Familiarity with AAAHC-accredited ASC workflows and quality assurance processes.

Background Screening Information:
This position requires a background screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For information about the screening standards and process, visit the official resource at https://info.flclearinghouse.com.