Cook County·Chicago, Illinois
Responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, and processing surgical instruments and equipment for the Main Operating Rooms and Endoscopy Department. Ensures the accurate preparation of surgical carts and maintains strict adherence to infection control and safety protocols.
John h. Stroger, jr.
Hospital
Shift: 3pm-11pm
Rotating
Weekends
DEPARTMENT: Sterile Processing & Distribution (SPD) Services Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement. Job Summary Under supervision, receives and processes incoming instruments, equipment, performs cleaning and sterilizing duties, and restocks packs of supplies, linens and instruments in the Main Operating Rooms (MOR) Sterile Processing area and Endoscopy Department of John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital. Prepares operating room surgical procedures carts as necessary to meet procedural needs in a timely manner. Applies age specific standards when preparing setups and surgical trays. Provide and maintain a safe environment and report hazards or potential hazards promptly. Perform other duties as assigned. Typical Duties
Completes tasks related to processing supplies and equipment, performing cleaning, sterilization, and high-level disinfection (HLD) duties.
Uses IMPRESS instrument and tray tracking system in all areas
Identifies and separates instruments into those which can be routinely decontaminated from those which need special handling based on knowledge of item composition and construction.
Identifies and decontaminates reprocessable items according to established Cook County Hospital Policies and Procedures, i.e. washes, cleans, sterilizes.
Maintains Standard Precautions in the handling of contaminated items
Inspects and evaluates operability of instruments.
Obtains additional items necessary to reassemble trays.
Packages and labels trays appropriately and accurately.
Identifies and separates items for appropriate sterilization or HLD, i.e., steam, hydrogen peroxide, Rapicide, or other.
Cleans, packages and labels single and/or multiple items in paper/plastic pouches
Conducts and monitors sterilization and HLD process for all items.
Notifies appropriate staff of any complications in conditions of sterilization or HLD.
Ensures appropriate temperature control of all items.
Prepares operating room surgical procedure carts as necessary to meet surgical procedure needs in a timely manner.
Performs accurate count of instruments and documents accurately.
Applies age specific standards when preparing setups and surgical trays, i.e. additional linen for geriatric patients, diapers, smaller instruments, etc.
Develops and maintains knowledge in identification, care, and handling of operating room and endoscopy instruments and equipment.
Performs biological and chemical monitoring in accordance with quality assurance standards.
Recognizes parameters for sterilization and HLD by graphs and/or biological monitoring.
Assists in the development and maintenance of protocols for processing specialty instruments and equipment.
Maintains cleanliness of work area as mandated by Infection Control.
Cleans Autoclaves according to protocol and maintains appropriate log documentation
Identifies and communicates requests for new instruments and for replacement of broken or lost instruments and equipment. Initiate request for additional instrumentation as necessary.
Stores sterile and unsterile instruments, equipment, and supplies in designated areas.
Identifies expired and/or contaminated items and prepares for reprocessing.
Performs stock rotation to insure current on sterile items.
Maintains inventory in processing storage areas, including equipment.
Assumes responsibilities in general sterile storeroom as assigned
Selects instruments, equipment, and supplies form sterile and unsterile area based on knowledge of surgical procedures and material requirements.
Ensure confidentiality is maintained in all patient related information.
Disseminates information regarding availability of supplies, instruments and other patient Sterile Processing needs to all operating room personnel.
Contributes to the development of programs and policies through participation in weekly staff education programs.
Participates in multidisciplinary efforts to promote improvements for patient care.
Prevents potential violations and acts to correct any recognized violations of patient rights.
Provides and maintains a safe environment and promptly reports hazards and potential hazards.
Applies the principles of infection control (standard-based and transmission-based precaution), Asepsis, and Safety.
Participates in interdisciplinary committees regarding supply and instrumentation needs of specialty service
Plans and conducts in-service programs in area of special expertise; helps evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.
Attends annual mandatory classes as required.
Adheres to hospital/departmental policies and procedures.
Performs other duties as assigned.
High School Diploma or GED (Must provide proof at time of interview). Current Certification in Sterile Processing and Distribution (Must provide proof at time of interview if already).
One (1) year of previous Sterile Processing experience Graduate of a Sterile Processing Program (Must provide official transcripts at time of interview).
Requires a High School Diploma or GED and a current certification in Sterile Processing and Distribution. Preferred candidates have one year of experience and are graduates of a Sterile Processing Program.
Market context
In Illinois, support-services roles like this are typically competitive because employers look for a mix of early-career experience, an associate’s degree or equivalent training, and active imaging credentials. For this position, licensure and certification details matter, including ARRT status, an IEMA license, and CT certification within 13 months of hire. This platform AI-summarizes requirements and benefits from the original job description, saving you research time; before applying, verify your credentials and timeline against the posting.
