Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Technician

Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or health care equipment.

Assemble all of the equipment required for surgery, exams, and other medical procedures.

May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

Organize and assemble routine and specialty surgical instrument trays and other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.

Clean instruments and other medical devices to prepare them for sterilization.

Operate and maintain steam, ETO, low-temperature gas plasma, peracetic acid, ozone, and dry heat sterilizers, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.

Record sterilizer test results.

Disinfect patient care equipment (e.g., infusion machines, DVT machines, suction pumps).

Operate sterilization and processing equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.

Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.

Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are stored to enhance sterility maintenance and that the packaging has not been compromised.