OccupationalOverview

Employment opportunities
for Sterile Processing Technicians are in healthcare settings such as medical centers, hospitals,
surgery centers, physician offices, and third-party processing corporation sites.

Sterile Processing Technicians’
minimum job functions include: sitting/standing for prolonged periods, frequently walking and reaching (overhead,
extensive, and repetitive), communication proficiency, auditory, and visual skills.
Attention to detail and ability
to write legibly.
Must have the ability to lift/push/pull greater
than 300 pounds.

May be exposed
to fumes, chemicals, cold, noise, radiation, blood/body fluids, and infectious diseases.

In addition, a Sterile Processing Tech:

1.  Decontaminates and sterilizes instruments, medical supplies
and equipment, and assembles,
wraps and sterilizes trays of instruments. Follows proper Standard Precautions while in decontamination and sterilization areas. 

2.  Monitors biological and chemical wash solution to ensure quality
and consistency for decontamination of instruments and medical
equipment. 

3.  Sorts mismatched sets of instruments, trays, and medical
equipment and makes them available to sterile processing customers in a timely
manner. 

4.  Restocks, labels, and maintains inventory,
submits requisitions, collects and distributes
instruments, trays, crash carts, and facility medical equipment. 

5.  Performs environmental maintenance duties and
assists in maintaining inventory levels in sterile processing, the operating room, and in equipment storage
areas. 

6.  Verifies that equipment functions properly, requisitions for equipment maintenance, repair or replacement, and removes defective
equipment. 

7.  Maintains a clean work area 

8.  Assists with maintaining established departmental policies
and procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, and environmental and infection control
standards. 

9.  Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills 

*The Department of Labor expects
to see a growth rate of 14 percent
(Much faster than average) in the field of Medical Instrument Preparation.

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319093.htm​