Lead Sterile Processing Technician

Job Type Full-time Description Join a mission-driven community health center dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to diverse and underserved populations. As a Sterile Processing Technician supporting our dental clinic and ambulatory medical procedures, you will play a vital role in ensuring safe, reliable patient care by maintaining the highest standards of instrument processing and infection control-while enjoying a predictable daytime schedule with no nights or weekends. Working closely with the Nurse Manager and clinical team, you will help create a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for both patients and staff, contributing directly to our commitment to equitable healthcare access. Primary Responsibilities Instrument Processing: Perform and oversee all aspects of instrument processing, including decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, and storage, ensuring compliance with established protocols and standards. Equipment Operation: Operate and maintain sterilization equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, washer disinfectors, and steam autoclaves. Conduct routine safety checks and document maintenance activities. Quality Assurance: Monitor sterilization processes by reviewing mechanical, chemical, and biological indicators. Maintain accurate records of sterilization cycles, spore testing, and equipment efficacy tests. Inventory Management: Collaborate with Medical Assistant floor leads to maintain adequate par levels of instruments and supplies. Order and restock items as needed, ensuring cost‑effective inventory control. Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation for all sterilization activities, including logs for sterilizers, washers, spore testing, and biological and chemical tests. Compliance: Ensure all practices adhere to regulatory standards and guidelines, including those from TJC, AAMI, AORN, and CDC. Coordinates sterile processing and disinfection activities involving cross‑trained staff in other departments to ensure adherence to established standards and workflows. Operational Coordination Responsibilities Coordinates day‑to‑day workflow to support efficient operations and timely instrument turnaround. Assigns daily work and adjusts coverage based on staffing, volume, and clinical priorities. Oversees instrument flow through all processing areas to maintain continuity of operations. Identifies and addresses workflow issues, delays, and operational barriers; escalates as needed. Reinforces adherence to SOPs, IFUs, infection prevention standards, and department workflows, and provides guidance to staff on workflow and priorities. Works with Dental Assistant staff who are cross‑trained on sterile processing and disinfection procedures. Works with Dental team to coordinate instrument needs, including daily instrument lists, set standardization, and count sheet updates. Attends SPD Dental Meeting and Infection Control Meeting. Verifies completion and documentation of biological indicators, sterilization records, and daily equipment testing for washers, washer‑disinfectors, ultrasonic machines, and autoclaves, including maintaining electronic sterilization records. Coordinates instrument repair and vendor‑related issues, including contacting service vendors for routine issues and ordering supplies as needed; escalates concerns to supervisor as appropriate. Serves as point of contact for departments regarding instrument needs, delays, and turnaround. Identifies processing errors or safety concerns and notifies manager as appropriate; initiates recall workflow when appropriate. Additional Performance Requirements Communication: Effectively communicate with patients, co‑workers, and staff across departments to ensure seamless operations. Language Proficiency: Ability to read and write in English to comprehend safety instructions and documentation requirements. Problem‑Solving: Identify and address disinfection or instrument concerns promptly, notifying the supervisor as necessary. Professional Development: Assist in training other employees in the medical support department and participate in continuing education activities. Policy and Procedures Policy Adherence: Maintain familiarity with Fenway Health policies and procedures, adhering to medical department standards for attendance and professional conduct. Environment Maintenance: Contribute to maintaining a patient‑centered, professional work environment. Agency Participatory Expectations Quality Improvement: Suggest and participate in continuous quality improvement efforts and quality assessment activities. Safety Compliance: Adhere to established safety policies and procedures, identifying and addressing potential unsafe situations. Meetings and Training: Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, in‑services, and professional training sessions. Professional Competence: Maintain professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities, providing records of continuing education activities. Committee Participation: Serve on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested. Requirements High School Diploma or equivalent. Detail‑oriented and highly organized. Vocational or Technical training in central processing. Two plus years of Sterile processing experience required. Certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). Ability to work autonomously while exercising sound judgment and decision‑making. Willingness to work various shifts as needed, including evenings, for coverage purposes. Effective skills in service, teamwork, communication, respect for others, and time/priority management. Demonstrates appropriate appearance and demeanor consistent with a professional work environment. Maintains up‑to‑date knowledge of infection control, medical terminology, and sterilization processes. Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients, and vendors across diverse backgrounds. Commitment to promoting a culture dedicated to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. This includes engaging constructively with colleagues, patients, clients, and vendors in a manner that reflects professionalism, empathy, and cultural awareness, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or other protected characteristics as defined by applicable law. Preferred Successful completion of a Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant Program or comparable experience will be considered. Union Position This is a union position in a Fenway Health bargaining unit represented by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Benefits We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, generous paid time off, commuter benefits, and more. EEO Statement LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Salary Description $22.62 - $28.55 /hour #J-18808-Ljbffr