At Snoqualmie Valley Health, we’re not just in the business of healthcare; we’re in the business of empowering our community to live boldly and live well. Our commitment to excellence and innovation calls for team members who will build trust, obsess over excellence, lead innovation, and deepen connections within our community. We are guided by our core values, and we’re looking for someone who can embody those principles as part of our dynamic and growing team.
Located in a trailblazing, adventure-loving town at the base of the Cascades, Snoqualmie Valley Health is an independent public hospital district serving a vibrant community that thrives on both adventure and connection. This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger.
Pay Range: $34.05 - $52.56
This position is eligible for an additional Lead premium of $2.00/hour!
JOB TITLE: Lead Sterile Processing Technician / Surgical Technologist
POSITION SUMMARY: The Lead Sterile Processing Technician / Surgical Technologist provides technical leadership and operational support for Sterile Processing and Surgical Services. This role serves as a subject matter expert in the processing, preparation, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment and provides clinical support in the operating room as a Surgical Technologist/Scrub Technician, as assigned. The Lead is responsible for promoting safe, efficient, and high-quality practices across the perioperative environment. The position provides guidance to other staff within their area of subject matter expertise, supports staff competency and education needs, assists with workflow coordination, and serves as a liaison between Sterile Processing, Operating Room teams, Materials Management, Infection Prevention, Nursing, and other departments. The Lead ensures compliance with organizational policies, infection prevention practices, manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs), applicable regulatory requirements, and professional standards while promoting patient safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
In preparation for the opening of the HUB Surgery Center, the Lead Sterile Processing Technician / Surgical Technologist plays a key role in operational readiness activities, including workflow design and integration, policy and procedure development, pre-opening orientation and training, equipment readiness, regulatory preparation, and implementation of processes necessary to support safe and efficient surgical operations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Build Trust: We exhibit integrity, transparency, and compassion in every interaction.
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Serve as a knowledgeable and approachable resource for Sterile Processing Technicians, Surgical Technologists, nurses, physicians, and other perioperative staff.
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Partner with IT, Informatics, clinical leaders, and vendors in implementation and optimization of workflows, EMR, and other software integration
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Participate in operational readiness assessments, mock scenarios, workflow testing, and regulatory survey preparation to ensure a safe and successful HUB Surgical Center launch.
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Promote open, respectful, and professional communication among Sterile Processing, Operating Room, and other clinical teams.
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Provide clear communication regarding instrument availability, processing delays, missing or damaged instruments, equipment concerns, and patient safety issues.
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Encourage staff to promptly report errors, near misses, safety concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
Obsess Over Excellence: We have high standards and seek continuous improvement.
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Lead operational readiness for HUB Surgery Center Sterile Processing Department (SPD), ensuring policies, procedures, workflows, equipment, supplies, and processes are developed, tested, and implemented prior to go-live.
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Provide daily technical leadership and oversight of Sterile Processing operations, including decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment.
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Monitor the preparation and availability of surgical trays, instrument sets, supplies, and equipment to meet scheduled and emergent procedural needs.
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Perform and/or oversee sterilization monitoring, biological and chemical indicator testing, equipment testing, documentation, and quality control activities.
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Identify and escalate instrument, equipment, sterilization, or processing concerns that may impact patient safety or surgical procedures.
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Assist with inventory management, instrument tracking, tray accuracy, and identification of missing, damaged, or outdated equipment.
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Select, prepare, and pass instruments, supplies, and equipment to the surgeon during surgical procedures.
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Perform surgical counts with the circulating nurse in accordance with organizational policy, including counts of instruments, sharps, sponges, and other applicable items.
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Assist with positioning, prepping, draping, and other perioperative activities within the scope of practice and organizational policy.
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Participate in quality assurance, audits, competency assessments, performance improvement activities, and regulatory readiness.
Lead Innovation: We lead with creativity, agility and think bold in our approach.
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Identify operational gaps, barriers, and readiness risks; in conjunction with Surgical Services/SPD leadership, develop action plans and monitor progress to support successful Sterile Processing Department implementation.
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Assist in evaluating new instruments, surgical equipment, technology, supplies, and processing methods.
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Identify opportunities to improve Sterile Processing and Operating Room workflows, efficiency, quality, and patient safety.
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Evaluate workflow challenges involving instrument availability, case cart preparation, surgical equipment, room turnover, and instrument processing.
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Use operational observations, quality data, staff feedback, and surgical team feedback to identify trends and recommend solutions.
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Assist with standardizing instrument sets, preference cards, workflows, and other processes when appropriate.
Deepen Connections: We build strong relationships with our patients, their families and partners in the communities we serve.
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Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships with surgeons, nurses, Surgical Technologists, Sterile Processing staff, Infection Prevention, Supply Chain, Facilities, and other healthcare partners.
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Communicate proactively regarding instrument shortages, processing delays, equipment issues, and other barriers to patient care.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Education:
Preferred Education:
Required Licensure:
None, unless required by applicable state or local regulations.
Specialty Certification:
Required Experience:
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Demonstrated experience with decontamination, instrument inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, sterile storage, and surgical instrument management.
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Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance, training, mentoring, or lead support to Sterile Processing and/or Surgical Technology staff.
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Experience in an ambulatory surgery center, hospital outpatient surgery department, acute-care hospital, or comparable surgical environment preferred.
Skills:
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Advanced knowledge of sterile processing principles, surgical instrumentation, sterilization, disinfection, and infection prevention.
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Strong knowledge of operating room practices, sterile technique, surgical procedures, instrumentation, and perioperative workflows.
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Knowledge of applicable AAMI, AORN, CDC, OSHA, and accreditation standards.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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Primary work areas may include Sterile Processing, decontamination, preparation and packaging, sterilization, sterile storage, Operating Rooms, procedure rooms, and other perioperative areas.
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Potential exposure to blood, body fluids, contaminated instruments, sharps, chemicals, sterilants, heat, moisture, and other occupational hazards.
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Frequent interaction with surgeons, nurses, Surgical Technologists, Sterile Processing staff, patients, and other healthcare professionals.
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May require weekends, holidays, on-call, overtime, or variable shifts based on surgical volume and departmental needs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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Ability to frequently bend, reach, push, pull, lift, and carry surgical instruments, trays, equipment, and supplies.
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Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with instrument inspection, assembly, surgical instrumentation, and sterile field activities.
OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
BENEFITS: We believe in taking care of those who take care of our community. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that puts your health and well-being first. With our flexible medical plan, you’ll have access to multiple in-network tiers, including top-quality care from Snoqualmie Valley Health, Eastside Health, and First Choice/First Health providers. The best part? Anyone covered under our plan can receive care at SVH at no cost! It's all about giving you the options and support you need to experience life’s great adventures.
Benefit Eligibility Requirements - Employees regularly scheduled at least 20 hours per week.
Employee Dependents - Your legal spouse or domestic partner; dependent children until age 26.
Waiting Period - 1st of the month from the date of hire.
PLEASE NOTE:
