Best Care·Council Bluffs, Iowa
The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for sorting, cleaning, and disinfecting contaminated surgical instruments and equipment. They also prepare, package, and distribute sterile instrument sets while maintaining accurate sterilization records.
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ.
We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart.
It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge.
We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued!
Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.
Job Summary: Location: Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Address: 933 E Pierce St, Council Bluffs, IA
Processes, sorts, assembles, and distributes contaminated and non-contaminated instruments and equipment.
Essential Functions 1. Sorts, disassembles, cleans, and disinfects contaminated instruments and equipment to render items safe for handling, by using special techniques and procedures of Universal Barrier Precautions. Follows procedures for manual cleaning process. Follows procedures for automated cleaning process. Proper use of chemicals and knowledge of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) forms. Practices Universal precautions, Infection Control policies and observes safe work practices. Communicates to appropriate personnel regarding sharps, punctures and other potential risks. Operates decontamination machinery in strict accordance with departmental procedures. Adheres to using personal protective equipment (PPE) while working in decontamination. 2. Prepares instrument sets/trays and other reusable patient equipment by following recipe sheets to ensure the completeness and accuracy of each item. Precisely follows individual recipe sheets for each set/tray/item being assembled. Replace lost or damaged instruments as required to complete the set/tray. Conducts quality checks on instruments for cleanliness, function, defects, breakage and overall condition. Flushes all instruments with lumens or cannulated. 3. Performs sterile linen processing according to established guidelines to ensure availability of sterile linen. Packages each set/tray/item as directed on each recipe sheet and per the department's policy. Correctly assembles and wrap linen packs according to guidelines. Keeps sterile linen stocked to the set par levels. Proper wrapping techniques used when using non-woven wrapper. Proper packaging techniques used when using paper peel pouches. Proper techniques and supplies used when using rigid containers. 4. Loads sterilization cart/chamber according to method of sterilization and set policies and procedures and unloading sterilization carts to ensure smooth and timely processing and delivery of sterile instruments and supplies by carefully and properly handling items on the cart as outlined in department procedure manual. Operate sterilizers in strict accordance with departmental procedures. Followings policy and procedures for steam sterilization. Followings policy and procedures for Ethylene Oxide sterilization. Followings policy and procedures for Gas plasma sterilization. Understands and interprets mechanical, chemical and biological indicators. Prepare sterilization loads according to sterilization method and policies. Incubates self contained biologicals according to protocol. 5. Maintains accurate records of sterilization and of all equipment in the department by utilizing the instrument tracking system by following departmental policies and procedures to comply with federal and other external regulations. Maintains Sterile Processing Department (SPD)'s equipment service log. Maintains accurate sterilization records/documentation. Follows protocol for scanning bar coded items. Scanning items to the proper stations and locations. Sterilization records entered accurately into the sterilization module. Consistently records accurate load control numbers. Consistently verifies and initials all records according to policy. 6. Distributes instruments sets to ensure receipt by departments in a timely manner. Deliver sterile cart to Operating Room (OR)/Outpatient Surgery (OPS) in a timely manner. Accurately delivers sterile items in the correct location as designated in Sterile Processing Department (SPD). Responds to Operating Room (OR)/Outpatient Surgery (OPS)'s requests in a timely manner. 7. Perform UV cleaning of used equipment following established procedures.
Job Requirements Education High School diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D.) preferred. Experience 1 – 2 years previous experience in Sterile Processing preferred. License/Certifications N/A Skills/Knowledge/Abilities Knowledge of decontamination of surgical instruments preferred. Skilled in appropriate surgical instrument sterilization methods preferred. Skilled in proper handling and packaging of instruments preferred. Strong verbal communication skills for positive interaction with staff and customers required. Able to read, write, and comprehend various written reports and documents required. Physical Requirements Weight Demands Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force. Physical Activity Not necessary for the position (0%): Climbing Crawling Walking Occasionally Performed (1%-33%): Balancing Crouching Keyboarding/typing Kneeling Sitting Frequently Performed (34%-66%): Carrying Distinguish colors Grasping Lifting Pulling/Pushing Reaching Repetitive Motions Speaking/talking Stooping/bending Twisting Constantly Performed (67%-100%): Hearing Seeing/visual Standing Walking Job Hazards Not Related: Explosives (pressurized gas) Electrical Shock/Static Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-Ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc) Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
Biological agents (primary airborne & blood borne viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) Blood or Body Fluid (BBF) Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex) Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment) Frequent (67-100%):
Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
About
Methodist: Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.
Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.
A high school diploma or G.E.D. is preferred, along with 1-2 years of previous experience in sterile processing. Candidates should possess knowledge of decontamination and sterilization methods and have strong verbal communication skills.
Market context
In Iowa, support-services roles often see steady demand because healthcare and home-based care settings rely on dependable staff for daily assistance and continuity. These positions can be competitive when employers need candidates with active Iowa CNA certification, homemaker-home health aide training, and reliable transportation. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your license, insurance, and background-check readiness before applying.