Full-Time
Lead Sterile Processing Technician
Updated on 9/16/2026
Duke University
Private research university in Durham, NC
No salary listed
Raleigh, NC, USA
In Person
Category
 Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1) |
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Required Skills
Inventory Management
Medical Terminology
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Requirements
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required, except for employees hired into this job code before February 18, 2019.
- Two years of experience as a Sterile Processing Technician is required.
- Certification as a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution or as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association is required.
- Knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology is required.
- Knowledge and understanding of operating room procedures and surgical instruments, including their working parts and proper inspection, is required.
- The ability to troubleshoot in a high-paced environment is required.
- Knowledge of sterile-processing equipment operation, instrumentation application and use, standard precautions, personal protective equipment, applicable regulations, accreditation standards, and hospital policies and procedures is required.
Responsibilities
- Assist operating room staff in preparing operating room suites for surgery through instrument preparation.
- Coordinate with operating room and Central Sterile staff to resolve issues, improve surgical services, and ensure instrument availability.
- Resolve instrument-related issues, offer alternatives, and obtain additional instruments during surgery when necessary.
- Verify that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for next-day, on-call, or weekend cases.
- Review operating room schedules and suggest modifications to improve communication and coordination among affected departments.
- Respond to problem calls from the operating room and work with operating room staff and surgeons as required.
- Transport sterilized instrumentation to the operating room area as needed.
- Document broken instrumentation and send or assist in sending broken instruments and equipment for repair.
- Complete required documentation for instrument sets, including case-cart, post-case, and tray audits.
- Prioritize instrument and equipment processing for surgical procedures to facilitate case turnover.
- Anticipate instrument needs for the following day and ensure sterile-processing completion.
- Act as a high-level disinfection specialist and perform or assist with daily equipment quality testing in Sterile Processing Department.
- Assist the supervisor with day-to-day activities, including answering phones and preparing daily staff assignment sheets.
- Communicate with staff about instrument requirements and availability.
- Manage the needs list for tray inventory and ensure biological indicators are processed and ready in a timely manner.
- Verify sterilization documentation for accuracy and track and monitor immediate-use steam sterilization loads, documentation, and tray errors.
- Check in vendor trays for next-day cases and assist with exporting quality events for reporting.
- Maintain the sterile-processing tracking system by updating instrumentation, creating new products, and updating count sheets.
- Assist with in-services for new products or processes and locate trays for newly received inventory.
- Act as liaison between clinic leads and Sterile Processing to ensure instrument inventory is accurate.
- Orient and mentor new staff, conduct random audits of trays assembled by new staff, and conduct first-stage re-education for technicians on tray errors.
- Provide real-time in-services, guide team members to appropriate resource materials, and assist with annual competency checklists.
- Perform Sterile Processing Technician duties as needed, including assembly, sterilization, and decontamination of instrument trays for operating rooms.
- Identify, correct, and report health and safety hazards and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
- Assist the supervisor with department supply orders, including timely ordering of instrumentation, supplies, and implants.
- Apply and enforce regulations, standards, and hospital policies and procedures applicable to sterile processing.
- Maintain knowledge of sterile-processing equipment operation and immediately report malfunctions.
- Respond to phone, text, and email requests in a timely manner and complete required follow-up.
- Serve as a professional role model, provide positive leadership, and cover areas during the supervisor’s absence.
- Perform special projects and other related duties incidental to the role.
Desired Qualifications
- Additional certification in Sterile Processing Management through C.S.P.M. or Healthcare Leadership through CHL.
- Certification as a Sterile Processing Department Technician through C.S.P.D.T. or as a Registered Central Service Technician through CRCST.
- Certification as a Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist through C.S.I.S. or as an Instrument Specialist through CIS.
- Certification as a Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor through C.F.E.R. or as an Endoscope Reprocessor through CER.
Duke University is a research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional education alongside interdisciplinary research and health care.
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