Sterile Processing Educator

Sterile Processing Educator

Reports To Position: Sterile Processing Manager

Department: Sterile Processing

Date Last Reviewed: July 2026

Our Vision: Creating America's healthiest community, together

Our Mission: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

Our Values: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

Departmental Summary: Sterile Processing is responsible for cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments, sets, and scopes, and building case carts for all procedural departments (Operating Room (OR), Medical Diagnostic Unit (MDU), and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab).

Position Overview: The Sterile Processing Educator facilitates the onboarding and professional development of Sterile Processing caregivers by assisting new caregivers through the clinical orientation process and serving as a role model who teaches, guides, and supports both orientees and existing staff. This role identifies the educational needs of the department and provides ongoing training to promote competency and best practices. In addition to educational responsibilities, the Sterile Processing Educator demonstrates proficiency in cleaning, decontaminating, assembling, sterilizing, and distributing the equipment and instruments used throughout the hospital, ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and quality care.

This position does not directly manage other caregivers, however may be asked to review and provide feedback on the work of other caregivers.

Essential Functions and Duties:

Develops and delivers orientation programs for new SPD technicians/caregivers.

Teaches decontamination, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization procedures for surgical instruments and endoscopes.

Trains staff on instrument assembly, tray configuration, and case cart preparation.

Educates on proper use of sterilizers (high-temperature and low-temperature) and washer disinfectors.

Conducts initial and annual competency assessments for all SPD staff.

Maintains training records and certification documents.

Identifies skill gaps and creates remediation plans.

Ensures training aligns with AAMI standards, AORN guidelines, and Joint Commission requirements.

Collaborates with OR leadership, Infection Prevention, and department leadership on process improvements/updates.

Pilots new instrument sets, technologies, or workflow changes before training staff.

Creates and maintains training curricula, competencies, checklists, and skill validation records.

Reports on training metrics and certification compliance rates.

Assists with policy and procedure development/updates.

May precept students or new hires one-to-one.

Leads training sessions/in-services on new products, procedures, regulations or recalls.

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Value Improvement Practice (Lean) principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization's corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

Education:

Required: High school diploma or GED. Must be willing to take additional courses as requested.

Preferred: Bachelor's degree

Licensure/Certification/Registration:

Required: Current CRCST, CBSPD, or IAHCSMM certification in Sterile Processing.

Preferred: Advanced instrument handling certification. Advanced knowledge of AAMI and AORN procedures and policies.

Experience:

Required: Minimum of three years sterile processing experience.

Preferred: Three to five years of Central Sterile experience and/or past educator experience.

Personal Protective Equipment:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

Additional Position Information:

Successful completion of Physical Capacity Evaluation (PCE) prior to employment.

Physical Requirements:

Continually (75% or more): Standing, walking, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing, Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 11-25 pounds.

Occasionally (25%): Climbing ladder/step stool, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 25-50 pounds, Ability to hear whispered speech level.

Rarely (10%): Sitting, climbing stairs, keyboard Operation, operation of motor vehicle.

Exposure to Elemental Factors Occasionally (25%): Heat, cold, wet/slippery area, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category Risk for Exposure to BBP

Schedule Weekly Hours: 40

Caregiver Type: Regular

Shift: First Shift (United States of America)

Is Exempt Position? No

Job Family: Coordinator Central Processing

Scheduled Days of the Week: As Scheduled (may include weekends and holidays)

Shift Start & End Time: 0900-1730 Monday-Friday

St. Charles Health System