Lead Sterile Processing Technician and Surgical Technologist

JOB TITLE: Lead Sterile Processing Technician / Surgical Technologist POSITION SUMMARY: The Lead Sterile Processing Technician / Surgical Technologist provides technical leadership and operational support for Sterile Processing and Surgical Services. This role serves as a subject matter expert in the processing, preparation, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment and provides clinical support in the operating room as a Surgical Technologist/Scrub Technician, as assigned. The Lead is responsible for promoting safe, efficient, and high-quality practices across the perioperative environment. The position provides guidance to other staff within their area of subject matter expertise, supports staff competency and education needs, assists with workflow coordination, and serves as a liaison between Sterile Processing, Operating Room teams, Materials Management, Infection Prevention, Nursing, and other departments. The Lead ensures compliance with organizational policies, infection prevention practices, manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs), applicable regulatory requirements, and professional standards while promoting patient safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. In preparation for the opening of the HUB Surgery Center, the Lead Sterile Processing Technician / Surgical Technologist plays a key role in operational readiness activities, including workflow design and integration, policy and procedure development, pre-opening orientation and training, equipment readiness, regulatory preparation, and implementation of processes necessary to support safe and efficient surgical operations. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Build Trust: We exhibit integrity, transparency, and compassion in every interaction.

• Serve as a knowledgeable and approachable resource for Sterile Processing Technicians, Surgical Technologists, nurses, physicians, and other perioperative staff.

• Partner with IT, Informatics, clinical leaders, and vendors in implementation and optimization of workflows, EMR, and other software integration

• Participate in operational readiness assessments, mock scenarios, workflow testing, and regulatory survey preparation to ensure a safe and successful HUB Surgical Center launch.

• Promote open, respectful, and professional communication among Sterile Processing, Operating Room, and other clinical teams.

• Provide clear communication regarding instrument availability, processing delays, missing or damaged instruments, equipment concerns, and patient safety issues.

• Encourage staff to promptly report errors, near misses, safety concerns, and opportunities for improvement.

• Provide coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback to team members.

• Support orientation and onboarding of new Sterile Processing and Surgical Technology staff.

• Maintain patient, employee, and organizational confidentiality.

• Demonstrate integrity, accountability, professionalism, and respect in all interactions.

Obsess Over Excellence: We have high standards and seek continuous improvement.

• Lead operational readiness for HUB Surgery Center Sterile Processing Department (SPD), ensuring policies, procedures, workflows, equipment, supplies, and processes are developed, tested, and implemented prior to go-live.

• Provide daily technical leadership and oversight of Sterile Processing operations, including decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment.

• Ensure surgical instruments and equipment are processed according to manufacturer IFUs, organizational policies, and applicable standards.

• Monitor the preparation and availability of surgical trays, instrument sets, supplies, and equipment to meet scheduled and emergent procedural needs.

• Perform and/or oversee sterilization monitoring, biological and chemical indicator testing, equipment testing, documentation, and quality control activities.

• Identify and escalate instrument, equipment, sterilization, or processing concerns that may impact patient safety or surgical procedures.

• Assist with inventory management, instrument tracking, tray accuracy, and identification of missing, damaged, or outdated equipment.

• Support operating room activities by functioning as a Surgical Technologist/Scrub Technician when assigned.

• Prepare the operating room and surgical field according to procedure-specific requirements.

• Select, prepare, and pass instruments, supplies, and equipment to the surgeon during surgical procedures.

• Maintain the sterile field and continuously monitor aseptic technique throughout procedures.

• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and surgical team based on the procedure and patient condition.

• Perform surgical counts with the circulating nurse in accordance with organizational policy, including counts of instruments, sharps, sponges, and other applicable items.

• Assist with specimen handling, labeling, and transfer according to established procedures.

• Assist with positioning, prepping, draping, and other perioperative activities within the scope of practice and organizational policy.

• Assist with room turnover, equipment cleaning, and preparation for subsequent procedures.

• Participate in quality assurance, audits, competency assessments, performance improvement activities, and regulatory readiness.

• Monitor adherence to infection prevention and patient safety practices within both Sterile Processing and the operating room.

• Serve as a working lead and perform the essential functions of Sterile Processing Technician and Surgical Technologist as operational needs require.

Lead Innovation: We lead with creativity, agility and think bold in our approach.

• Identify operational gaps, barriers, and readiness risks; in conjunction with Surgical Services/SPD leadership, develop action plans and monitor progress to support successful Sterile Processing Department implementation.

• Assist in evaluating new instruments, surgical equipment, technology, supplies, and processing methods.

• Implement and promote effective use of instrument tracking systems, electronic documentation, and other available technologies.

• Identify opportunities to improve Sterile Processing and Operating Room workflows, efficiency, quality, and patient safety.

• Collaborate with perioperative leadership and interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement process improvements.

• Evaluate workflow challenges involving instrument availability, case cart preparation, surgical equipment, room turnover, and instrument processing.

• Use operational observations, quality data, staff feedback, and surgical team feedback to identify trends and recommend solutions.

• Assist with standardizing instrument sets, preference cards, workflows, and other processes when appropriate.

• Support implementation of new technologies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Promote a culture of continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation.

Deepen Connections: We build strong relationships with our patients, their families and partners in the communities we serve.

• Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with surgeons, nurses, Surgical Technologists, Sterile Processing staff, Infection Prevention, Supply Chain, Facilities, and other healthcare partners.

• Serve as a bridge between Sterile Processing and the Operating Room to improve communication and coordination.

• Respond promptly and professionally to urgent surgical requests and changing procedural needs.

• Communicate proactively regarding instrument shortages, processing delays, equipment issues, and other barriers to patient care.

• Promote teamwork and mutual respect among perioperative team members.

• Support a service-oriented culture that recognizes the direct connection between sterile processing, surgical care, and patient safety.

• Participate in interdisciplinary initiatives designed to improve surgical quality, efficiency, and the patient experience.

QUALIFICATIONS: Required Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Completion of an accredited Sterile Processing or Surgical Technology program, as applicable to assigned responsibilities.

Preferred Education:

• Associate degree in Surgical Technology, Sterile Processing, Healthcare, or a related field.

Required Licensure: None, unless required by applicable state or local regulations. Specialty Certification:

• Current CRCST certification through HSPA or CSPDT certification through CBSPD and:

• Current Surgical Technologist certification, such as CST through NBSTSA

• Additional specialty certifications related to sterile processing, surgical technology, or perioperative services are preferred.

• Certifications must be maintained in good standing.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Sterile Processing, Surgical Technology, or a combination of relevant perioperative experience.

• Demonstrated experience with decontamination, instrument inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, sterile storage, and surgical instrument management.

• Demonstrated experience functioning as a Surgical Technologist/Scrub Technician in an operating room or procedural environment.

• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance, training, mentoring, or lead support to Sterile Processing and/or Surgical Technology staff.

• Experience in an ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient surgery department, acute-care hospital, or comparable surgical environment preferred.

Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of sterile processing principles, surgical instrumentation, sterilization, disinfection, and infection prevention.

• Strong knowledge of operating room practices, sterile technique, surgical procedures, instrumentation, and perioperative workflows.

• Ability to anticipate the needs of surgeons and surgical teams.

• Ability to interpret and follow manufacturer IFUs.

• Knowledge of applicable AAMI, AORN, CDC, OSHA, and accreditation standards.

• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent organization, prioritization, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to identify and escalate patient safety and quality concerns appropriately.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to urgent surgical needs.

• Proficiency with instrument tracking systems and standard computer applications.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in high-stress clinical situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Office and clinical settings with potential exposure to patient care areas.

• Primary work areas may include Sterile Processing, decontamination, preparation and packaging, sterilization, sterile storage, Operating Rooms, procedure rooms, and other perioperative areas.

• Potential exposure to blood, body fluids, contaminated instruments, sharps, chemicals, sterilants, heat, moisture, and other occupational hazards.

• Appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn in designated areas.

• Frequent interaction with surgeons, nurses, Surgical Technologists, Sterile Processing staff, patients, and other healthcare professionals.

• Flexibility to work extended hours as needed.

• May require weekends, holidays, on-call, overtime, or variable shifts based on surgical volume and departmental needs.

• May require assignment to different clinical areas or facility locations based on operational needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during surgical procedures and Sterile Processing activities.

• Ability to frequently bend, reach, push, pull, lift, and carry surgical instruments, trays, equipment, and supplies.

• Ability to safely handle and transport instrument sets and surgical equipment.

• Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with instrument inspection, assembly, surgical instrumentation, and sterile field activities.

• Ability to maintain visual and manual attention to detail for extended periods.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment for extended periods.

• Ability to work in environments requiring prolonged standing and limited mobility during surgical procedures.

• Ability to respond quickly to changing surgical and patient-care needs.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is