Lead Sterile Processing Technician
Charleston, South Carolina
The Sterile Processing Lead Technician provides day to day guidance and oversight of sterile processing operations to ensure instruments, trays, and equipment are properly decontaminated, assembled, sterilized, and distributed according to regulatory and hospital standards. This role supports training, quality assurance, and workflow coordination within the department while serving as a mentor and resource to team members.
Education and Work Experience:
- Graduate of high school or GED equivalency required.
- Must be certified and maintain a certification in sterile processing form CRCST – HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association) or CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution)
- Minimum of two (2) years of sterile processing experience, preferably in a hospital or surgical setting.
- Knowledge of sterilization principles, microbiology, and infection prevention practices.
- Knowledge of instrument names, functions, and specialty sets.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Basic computer proficiency for documentation and recordkeeping.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced certification (CIS, CER, CHL) preferred.
- Experience as a preceptor or trainer.
- Familiarity with electronic instrument tracking systems.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to perform job functions while standing, sitting, and walking. Ability to climb stairs, work indoors, and outside in temperature extremes. Ability to work from elevated areas, in confined spaces, and from kneeling positions. Ability to bend, twist, squat, and perform "pinching" operations. Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands, and perform firm grasping and fine manipulation. Ability to reach overhead and perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. Ability to fully use both legs and maintain vision 20/40 corrected. Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. Ability to work rotating shifts and overtime as required. Ability to work in a latex safe environment. Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use.