TITLE:                                     Sterile Processing Lead      

REPORTS TO POSITION:     Sterile Processing Manager or Supervisor

DEPARTMENT:                      Sterile Processing

DATE LAST REVIEWED:       July 2026

OUR VISION:                           Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:                        In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:                         Accountability, Caring, and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Sterile Processing is responsible for cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments, sets, and scopes, and building case carts for all procedural departments (Operating Room (OR), Medical Diagnostic Unit (MDU), and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab).

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Sterile Processing Lead at St. Charles Health System (SCHS) is responsible for coordinating shift operations to meet procedural departments' needs and ensuring the timely processing and picking of instruments and sets in accordance with established policies and procedures. This position does not directly manage other caregivers; however, it may be asked to review and provide feedback on the work of other caregivers and is responsible for all Standard Work of the Sterile Processing job description, in addition to what is listed below.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Coordinates the team’s daily activities to clean, sterilize, and pick instruments, sets, and scopes to support surgical and procedural practice.

Assists leadership with department process improvements and helps create and update policies and procedures.

Leads Sterile Processing technicians assigned to decontamination, assembly, scope processing, sterilizer, and front case picking.

Coordinates workflow and monitors productivity and quality within designated area(s) to ensure bottlenecks don’t occur.

Works with stakeholders to enhance efficiencies and customer satisfaction for both internal and external customers.

Confirms supply orders and restocking of supplies.

Maintain productive relationships with the OR, Cath Lab and the MDU to monitor and manage add-ons, quality issues, and urgent needs

Continually monitors the “needs list” to ensure surgical items are ready for future cases. 

Coordinate huddles and works on projects as assigned.

Oversees the cleaning and sterilization process according to established Joint Commission, AORN, and AAMI standards.

Assists with the teaching, counseling, and evaluation of staff.

Develops daily plans for caregiver breaks and lunches that align with the department needs. 

Maintain files (both paper and electronic) and quality manuals as assigned.

Verifies that pass-offs are conducted, filled out, and complete before caregivers are done with their shifts.

Fields questions, assists with work orders, and works with IS&T and facilities to ensure daily operations continue. 

Supports the vision, mission, and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports the Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.  Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate. 

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION:

Required: High School diploma or GED.           

Preferred: Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, or related field preferred   

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Required: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) certification from CBSPD.

Preferred: Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management

EXPERIENCE:

Required: Six months’ experience in Sterile Processing or completion of Sterile Processing externship.

Preferred: Two years’ experience in Sterile Processing.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Standing, walking, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 25-50 pounds, grasping/squeezing, Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 11-75 pounds.

Occasionally (25%): Climbing ladder/step stool, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 1-10 pounds, Ability to hear whispered speech level.

Rarely (10%): Sitting, climbing stairs, keyboard Operation, operation of motor vehicle.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Occasionally (25%): Heat, cold, wet/slippery area, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Risk for Exposure to BBP

Schedule Weekly Hours:

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