Sterile Processing Tech - Full Time Days

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 12p-8:30pmAt Houston Methodist, the Sterile Processing Technician position is responsible for decontamination, assembly, inspecting, wrapping, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for Surgical Services and all ancillary departments which includes working in conjunction with the Operation Room (OR) staff to provide timely sterile products, trays, and case carts where applicable. The position maintains consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Central Service Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental 'Scope of Service' and 'Provision of Care' plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONSProvide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.Practices the Caring and Serving ModelDelivers personalized service using HM Service StandardsProvides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experienceInvolves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given jobActively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE valuesPEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSCommunicates with staff from the interprofessional health care team concerning patient safety to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care through effective assignment and shift handoffs, using a structured format. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.Responds positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Makes contributions to the work effort as a whole and uses problem resolution effectively.Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSPerforms decontamination and assembling of basic surgical trays, individual instrumentation and equipment utilizing established count sheets. Wraps or contains items appropriately according to size and type of instrument or equipment.Provides timely sterile products, trays and case carts, by location, by following guidance of experienced surgical techs, in conjunction with the OR staff.Sterilizes instruments and surgical trays by following prescribed manufacturer instructions for use and according to institutional policies and procedures.Organizes workload utilizing available work time by assisting others and performing additional task as needed. Provides consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSUtilizes appropriate cleaning detergents and agents by reading directions and SDS sheets.Utilizes all department equipment according to manufacturers' instructions for use and department policies and protocols.Ensures through visual inspection that trays have completed the quality process according to AAMI standards for patient use.FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSSelf-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, cleaning the workstation at the end of each shift, and minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.Uses department resources efficiently to ensure completeness of trays, instruments and equipment according to count sheets; does not waste supplies.GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSUnderstands, applies, and demonstrates industry Sterile Processing standards i.e., Steam, ETO and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide.Participates in department projects and Shared Governance committee for department. Follow up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments.Identifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts, and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.EDUCATIONHigh School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)Formal education through a Sterile Processing program preferredWORK EXPERIENCENoneLICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIREDSterile Processing certification: CRCST or CSPDTKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESDemonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluationsSufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or securityAbility to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principlesIndependently demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluationsFollows Universal Precautions by wearing the appropriate protective attire while working in the Decontamination areaExhibits interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workersAbility to utilize basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking system, if applicableDemonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries made to the departmentMaintains patient and family privacySUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTSWORK ATTIREUniform YesScrubs YesBusiness professional NoOther (department approved) NoON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.On Call* YesTRAVEL****Travel specifications may vary by department**May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area NoMay require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area NoHouston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital brings the expertise and compassionate care of Houston Methodist Hospital in The Texas Medical Center - a national Honor Roll hospital - to Bay Area communities. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of adult medical and surgical care, is an accredited chest pain center, and is also acute stroke-ready designated through DNV. Houston Methodist Clear Lake offers many inpatient and outpatient services including 3-D mammography and other state-of-the-art imaging, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, Cancer Center of Excellence, advanced laparoscopic surgery, comprehensive orthopedics and sports medicine, neurology, urology and otolaryngology. Also, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is honored to be the only hospital in the bay area to have a Grade A rating from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grading.

Created: 2025-11-13