Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
UNC Health Nash, an affiliated member of the UNC Health system, invites passionate healthcare professionals to join our esteemed team. Governed locally, we proudly serve a diverse patient base, spanning Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax, Wilson Counties, and beyond. With a steadfast commitment to elevating community health through exceptional care, we prioritize excellence, compassion, and innovation, ensuring every individual receives the highest standard of support. Joining our team means becoming an integral part of our dedication to wellness, where we constantly strive to redefine excellence in healthcare through state-of-the-art facilities and pioneering programs. Join us in this transformative journey, where your contributions will make a lasting impact on our community's health and wellbeing.
Summary:
Performs decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of reusable medical devices and surgical instrumentation in compliance with industry standards, manufacturer instructions for use (IFU), and organizational policies. Ensures the safe, effective, and timely processing of instruments to support patient care and surgical services.
Responsibilities:
Decontamination
- Performs point-of-use verification and safe transport of contaminated instruments following infection prevention and safety standards.
-
Decontaminates reusable medical devices using appropriate manual and mechanical cleaning methods in accordance with IFUs and departmental policies.
-
Selects correct detergents, chemistries, water quality, and cleaning equipment based on device requirements.
-
Adheres to proper workflow separation and environmental controls within the decontamination area.
-
Utilizes and documents appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) per OSHA and facility policy.
Inspection, Assembly, and Packaging
- Inspects instruments and devices for cleanliness, integrity, functionality, and proper assembly using magnification and testing tools.
-
Identifies damaged or malfunctioning instruments and removes them from service, initiating repair or replacement processes.
-
Assembles instrument trays, case carts, and procedural sets using approved count sheets and checklists.
-
Applies correct packaging systems (wraps, containers, pouches) and labeling per sterilization method and IFU requirements.
-
Ensure proper placement of internal and external chemical indicators.
Sterilization & High-Level Disinfection
- Operates sterilization and high-level disinfection equipment following validated cycles, load configurations, and IFU requirements.
-
Monitors, interprets, and documents physical, chemical, and biological monitoring results.
-
Identifies and responds appropriately to sterilization process failures, recalls, and non-conformances.
-
Releases load for use only after verifying all sterilization parameters and quality indicators meet acceptance criteria.
Storage & Distribution
- Maintains sterile storage environments in accordance with event-related sterility principles.
-
Distributes sterile and non-sterile supplies accurately and efficiently to designated clinical areas.
-
Maintains traceability and tracking of instruments, implants, and loaner sets.
Equipment, Inventory, and Quality Assurance
- Performs routine operational checks and preventive maintenance verification on reprocessing equipment.
-
Identifies equipment malfunctions and initiates service requests; communicates issues to leadership.
-
Monitors inventory levels and ensure availability of supplies required for reprocessing activities.
-
Participate in quality assurance activities, audits, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
-
Accurately documents reprocessing data in manual or electronic tracking systems.
Education, Leadership, and Compliance
- Serves as a preceptor and mentor for new and existing staff, reinforcing competency-based training.
-
Demonstrates ongoing competency through continuing education and adherence to professional standards.
-
Acts as a resource for IFU interpretation, problem-solving, and compliance guidance.
-
Supports regulatory readiness for accreditation and survey activities.
Other information:
Education Requirements
- High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED)
Licensure/Certification Requirements
- Current certification from an accredited credentialing organization:
-
HSPA (CRCST required; CIS/CER preferred), or
-
CBSPD (Certified Sterile Processing Technician)
Professional Experience Requirements
- Minimum of two (2) years of Sterile Processing or Central Service experience in a healthcare setting.
Legal Employer: Nash Hospitals
Entity: Nash UNC Health Care
Organization Unit: NGH Central Service & Supply
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Night Job
Location of Job: NASH HC
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
