Leader – Surgical Reprocessing Technician

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Leader – Surgical Reprocessing Technician is responsible for leading, managing, developing, supervising, and evaluating the Materials Management/Surgical Reprocessing Department.
• This position oversees sterile processing operations, staff scheduling and development, surgical instrumentation, equipment and supplies, inventory/par levels, sterilization processes, and collaboration with Surgical Services, physicians, nurses, and other departments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise and support the cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and supplies.
• Prepare instrument trays and individual surgical items for use in the Operating Room.
• Assemble procedure-specific case carts for Operating Room and Delivery Room procedures.
• Support the needs of Operating Suites and Delivery Rooms by maintaining appropriate par inventories.
• Monitor and document steam and gas sterilizers and aerators for proper operation.
• Perform mechanical and manual decontamination of surgical instrumentation.
• Inspect instruments for damage, cleanliness, functionality, and completeness.
• Identify damaged instruments and coordinate them for repair.
• Replace missing implants, drill bits, blades, K-wires, and other components as needed.
• Verify instrument counts and maintain tray completeness.
• Prepare items for sterilization using double wrapping or heat-sealed pouches.
• Complete required sterilization documentation and return sterile items to designated storage areas.
• Monitor sterile supplies and remove outdated items for reprocessing or disposal.
• Maintain inventory using par-level methodology and identify/revise inventory needs.
• Supervise receiving, storage, and distribution of sterile and unsterile supplies.
• Process requisitions and stat requests for inpatient/outpatient departments, ER, OR, Delivery Room, and satellite locations.
• Clean and inspect pressure transducers for damage, cleanliness, and completeness.
• Schedule Materials Department staff.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Participate in quality management, patient safety, infection control, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Support and mentor new staff and provide ongoing feedback and evaluation.
• Participate in department/hospital education, competency assessments, and leadership development.
• Assist management with operational and capital budgets and cost-effective initiatives.

Education and Certification:

• High School Diploma.
• Completion of a medical terminology course is helpful.
• Central Service Certification and one year experience in a Central Service environment.
• Visual ability is required when inspecting instruments, reading requisitions and instrument checklists.
• Must be able to work in harmony with other people and under stressful conditions.

Customer Service Policy and summarized below:

• Communication
• Ownership
• Understanding
• Motivation
• Sensitivity
• Excellence
• Teamwork
• Respect
• Must practice the customer skills as provided through on-going training and in-services.

Must possess the following personal qualities:

• Be self-directed.
• Be flexible and committed to the team concept.
• Demonstrate teamwork, initiative and willingness to learn.
• Be open to new learning experiences.
• Accepts and respects diversity without judgment.
• Demonstrates customer service values.

Physical Demands/ Working Environment:

• Extensive walking and standing is a requirement of this position.
• Must be able to work  in a flexible and changing environment.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds and push loaded heavy carts for long distances.
• May be exposed to noisy equipment, aerosols,  chemical detergents, needles, blades, sharp instruments, body fluids and tissues, ethylene oxide and its effects, wet floors, steam and a hot and humid environment.