Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Technician in Springfield, MA | Baystate Health Careers

Baystate Health is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to join the Sterile Processing Department at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Sterile Processing Technician plays a critical role in patient safety by ensuring surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies are properly decontaminated, inspected, assembled, packaged, sterilized, and prepared for use.

Working in a fast-paced environment, the Sterile Processing Technician applies infection prevention and safety practices while following manufacturer instructions, hospital protocols, and established sterile processing standards. The team works closely with operating room staff, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure surgical services have the instruments, trays, and case carts they need to provide safe and timely patient care.

This role offers the opportunity to develop expertise across decontamination, preparation and packaging, and sterilization while building knowledge of surgical instrumentation, sterilization processes, and instrument tracking technology. Technicians at the Level II level also have opportunities to mentor colleagues, support education, take on charge responsibilities, and participate in quality improvement initiatives that contribute directly to patient safety.

Sterile Processing Technician responsibilities include:

• Decontaminate, clean, inspect, test, assemble, package, wrap, and sterilize reusable surgical instruments, trays, basins, supplies, and medical devices according to manufacturer instructions and hospital protocols.
• Operate and maintain decontamination equipment, automated washers, ultrasonic washers, steam sterilizers, and low-temperature gas plasma sterilizers while identifying and reporting equipment malfunctions.
• Perform required quality testing, including TOSI testing on automatic washers and SonoCheck testing on ultrasonic washers, as well as biological and chemical monitoring of sterilization processes.
• Accurately document sterilization parameters, test results, processing records, and other required information to support quality and regulatory compliance.
• Prepare surgical case carts and pick supplies and instrumentation using preference cards, inventory procedures, and first-in-first-out stock rotation to support upcoming surgical cases and add-on procedures.
• Use the instrument tracking system to scan and accurately route kits, loaners, peel packs, and other processed items while maintaining package integrity and appropriate storage practices.
• Coordinate the timely turnover of instrumentation for add-on cases and contamination events and communicate with operating room staff to troubleshoot immediate instrumentation needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and ensure sterile goods are inspected for package integrity, damage, and expiration before storage and distribution.
• Apply infection control principles, medical terminology, hospital policies, and applicable sterile processing standards when performing daily responsibilities.
• Communicate with surgical services staff to resolve issues and identify opportunities for process and quality improvement.

Level II responsibilities include all Level I requirements, along with:

• Demonstrate advanced sterile processing knowledge and proficiency in referencing and applying Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards.
• Precept and mentor Level I Sterile Processing Technicians and assist with educational in-servicing.
• Assume charge responsibilities as assigned and support the coordination of department activities.
• Conduct audits of decontamination, disinfection, sterilization, and equipment maintenance processes to monitor daily compliance.
• Demonstrate proficiency in assembling instrumentation for ambulatory clinics and internal units using reference materials without supervision.
• Identify and participate in system quality improvement initiatives that support patient safety.
• Apply knowledge of hospital policies and protocols and reference applicable AAMI, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Baystate Health standards.

Schedule Details:

Job Type: Full-Time Shift: 3rd Shift Hours: 10:00 PM -6:30am Schedule: Monday-Friday Weekend Requirement: Rotating weekends required Holiday Requirement: Rotating holidays required

Benefits That Support You:

• Competitive Pay & Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including local Health New England plans.
• Tuition & Training: Tuition assistance, CEUs, and professional development opportunities.
• Career Growth: Clinical advancement, leadership development, and internal career opportunities.
• Regional Opportunities: Career options across Baystate Health hospitals, practices, and services throughout western Massachusetts.
• Sign-On Bonuses: If applicable, Sign-On bonuses are paid to external hires only and are not applicable to internal or company transfers, unless otherwise specified. Former employees are eligible after one-year post-separation from Baystate Health
• Retirement: Retirement savings and employer match.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO for eligible employees.

Required Skills:

1) None

Preferred Work Experience:

1) Previous experience in sterile processing or perioperative environment preferred

Skills and Competencies:

1) Ability to read and comprehend English language

2) Ability to follow detailed instructions, possess good customer service skills and be able to perform a number of activities according to priority in a fast paced environment

3) Complete appropriate orientation, 8-12 weeks

4) Ability to perform essential functions within the following Sterile Processing areas: Decontamination area, prep and packaging, sterilization

5) Web based training, and hand hygiene

Education:

GED or HiSET (Required)

Certifications:

Certified Sterile Processing Technician - OtherOtherOther

Compensation:

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum

$20.79 - $25.36 - $31.91

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.