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Sterile Processing Department Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Sterile Processing Department information

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How much do sterile processing department jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for sterile processing department in the United States is $27.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $33.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to get hired as a sterile processing department?

Getting hired as a sterile processing technician can be competitive but is generally accessible with relevant certifications such as CBSPD or ASPST. Employers often seek candidates with attention to detail, knowledge of sterilization procedures, and the ability to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

What is the difference between Sterile Processing Department vs Surgical Technologist?

AspectSterile Processing DepartmentSurgical Technologist
CertificationsCBSPD, IAHCSMMCST (Certified Surgical Technologist)
Work EnvironmentSterile processing areas, hospitals, clinicsOperating rooms, surgical suites
Job FocusSterilizing, disinfecting, and preparing surgical instrumentsAssisting during surgeries, passing instruments
Industry UsageHospitals, surgical centersHospitals, outpatient surgical facilities

While both roles are essential in surgical settings, the Sterile Processing Department focuses on sterilizing and preparing instruments, whereas Surgical Technologists assist directly during surgeries. Both require specialized certifications and work in hospital environments, but their daily tasks and responsibilities differ significantly.

What does a sterile processing department do?

A sterile processing department is responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, and maintaining surgical instruments and medical equipment to ensure they are safe for patient use. Technicians in this department use specialized tools and follow strict protocols to prevent infections and ensure compliance with health standards.

What are common challenges faced in the Sterile Processing Department, and how can they be managed?

Sterile Processing Department (SPD) professionals often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of surgical instruments, adhering to strict sterilization protocols, and staying updated with evolving industry standards. Time management and attention to detail are crucial, as any oversight can impact patient safety. Many facilities support staff with ongoing training, clear communication with surgical teams, and robust quality assurance processes to help manage these challenges and ensure a safe healthcare environment.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work in the Sterile Processing Department?

To thrive as a Sterile Processing Department Technician, you need knowledge of sterilization techniques, infection control, and medical terminology, often supported by a high school diploma and certification such as the CRCST. Familiarity with autoclaves, sterilization tracking systems, and decontamination equipment is typically required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial to ensure surgical instruments are properly sterilized and available, directly impacting patient safety and the efficiency of clinical operations.

What is the Sterile Processing Department?

The Sterile Processing Department (SPD) is a specialized area in hospitals and healthcare facilities responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing, and distributing surgical instruments and medical equipment. Staff in this department ensure that all reusable medical devices are safe and free from harmful microorganisms before they are used in patient care or surgeries. The SPD plays a critical role in infection control, patient safety, and the smooth operation of surgical and procedural areas. Their work helps prevent healthcare-associated infections and supports the overall efficiency of medical services.
More about Sterile Processing Department jobs
What cities are hiring for Sterile Processing Department jobs? Cities with the most Sterile Processing Department job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Sterile Processing Department jobs? The most popular types of Sterile Processing Department jobs are:
What states have the most Sterile Processing Department jobs? States with the most job openings for Sterile Processing Department jobs include:
Infographic showing various Sterile Processing Department job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,186 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Manager Sterile Processing Department

WVU Medicine

Parkersburg, WV • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


WVU Medicine rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 579 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

571st of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Welcome! We're excited you're considering an opportunity with us! To apply to this position and be considered, click the Apply button located above this message and complete the application in full. Below, you'll find other important information about this position.
Manages, coordinates, and evaluates all elements of financial, material and human resources in the specified areas of responsibility within the realm of Sterile Processing services.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. Associate Degree OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 8 years' experience in Sterile Processing.
2. Certified Registered Central Service Technician through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician through Certified Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
3. Certification as Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) within six (6) months of hire.
4. Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Sterile Processing Management through the (CBSPD) within one (1) year of hire.
EXPERIENCE:
1. Five (5) years of Sterile Processing, Surgical Technician, or Surgical Services Nursing experience.
2. Three (3) years supervisory, team leader, or coordinator experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nursing, Business or related field.
CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Manages, coordinates, and evaluates all elements of financial, material and human resources in the specified areas of responsibility within the realm of Sterile Processing services. Manages the financial systems, support personnel, and management information systems for the Sterile Processing Department.
2. Manages personnel to ensure the availability of an appropriately credentialed, clinically competent, well-developed cohesive work force to meet patient care needs. Establishes departmental staffing matrixes. Activates overtime to cover patient care needs and operational functions. Initiates and maintains appropriate personnel records for responsible areas.
3. Oversees the development and implementation of on-going educational programs for professional and support staff which include new employee orientation, needs assessments, annual competencies, in-service continuing education, and new equipment and/or systems training which enables the staff to perform on the basis of current policy/procedures and state-of-the-art practices.
4. Provides ongoing feedback to employees concerning job performance through goal development, peer evaluation, and performance evaluations. Coaches and counsels employees under the direction of the VP. Develops and activates employee action plans. Performs stay interviews and frequent touch bases with new employees.
5. Leads QI/PI teams for system or hospital to ensure harmonization of policies and procedures. Works in conjunction with the leadership staff and staff/physicians, in identifying areas of opportunity for improved efficiency, cost reduction (through standardization and physician profiling) and improvement in quality care delivery utilizing the Performance Improvement process.
6. Works with the Perioperative Leadership team to assist them in developing, monitoring, and controlling cost center budget accounts associated with processing functions. Monitors divisional expenses in conjunction with the Perioperative Leadership team and makes recommendations as needed especially with the management of lost/replacement instrumentation.
7. In collaboration with leaders, activates divisional strategic planning initiatives supporting WVU Medicine's mission, values, and goals. Actively leads PI, quality, and patient safety initiatives associated with high level disinfection, sterilization, and instrumentation transport to ensure risk of environmental cross-contamination is minimized and health of employees is safeguarded.
8.Monitors, maintains, and coordinates capital equipment purchase plan for Perioperative Services. Analyzes contractual agreements and makes recommendations to the Director. Plans for long term equipment replacements/upgrades.
9. Develops product, equipment and new service program proposals utilizing clinical championship processes. Investigates and recommends to VP/Manager equipment needs and repair.
10. Engages in fiscal activities in order to ensure the availability of supplies, equipment, and human resources to meet patient care needs in a timely & cost effective manner. Participates in new physician on-boarding. Develops for VP presentation departmental budget. Leads and reports cost saving initiatives.
11. Ensures that appropriate documentation systems and reporting policies are implemented and evaluated on a periodic basis in order to meet standards and regulatory agency requirements.
12. Works in conjunction with users and IT to ensure most benefit achieved from OR Management System.
13. Assures the most economical utilization of time, materials and resources through the review of workflow and staffing patterns in order to achieve optimal productivity and to provide cost effective staffing patterns that ensure appropriate utilization of staff and skill mix. Utilizes lean methodologies to reduce departmental waste.
14. Maintains effective communication with Medical Staff, patients, staff and other departments as necessary to assure identification of problems and provide problem resolution in a timely manner and in support of the hospital's mission of quality care delivery. Daily performs expert problem resolution and troubleshooting using crucial conversation skills and service recovery communications.
15. Assesses satisfaction issues and takes appropriate action to resolve through daily rounds. Leads employee satisfaction action planning for department and provides progression reports to staff. Ensures the establishment and implementation of a unit culture that is responsive to patients, providers, departments, and staff as well as showcasing WVU Medicine's Behavioral Standards.
16. Assists with accomplishment of hospital, divisional, and departmental goals. Serves as hospital technical expert for sterile processing functions supporting in house hospital departments and off-site ambulatory clinics. May participate in outreach activities in the community such as assisting clinical practice groups to design/equip educational booths at local health fairs.
17. Updates technical knowledge base to ensure departmental operations and work processes stay up dated and match national standards. Participates in Leadership Forum development to enhance managerial skills, influence, impact, and outcomes.
18. Assures the completion of proficiency testing procedures, including evaluation of proficiency testing reports. Assists the Leadership group in coordinating all departmental function in preparation for inspection by accrediting agencies ensuring compliance.
19. Leads the development, review, and communication of policies and procedures ensuring information is available for staff in a timely manner and incorporates into unit practice routines. Ensures policies and procedures follow national standards and regulatory requirements.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Must meet Department of Labor's MEDIUM duty standard (MEDIUM WORK- exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly).
2. Able to bend, stoop, reach and be capable of normal rotation, standing and walking for an 8-12 hour shift.
3. Must be capable of lifting up to 60 pounds and pushing loaded carts weighting in excess of 200 pounds.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Physical working environment may include, but not limited to, any of the following hazards: high pressure steam, chemical, electrical, mechanical, bio-waste, stress, back strain, body fluids, etc
2. Environmental conditions may include, but not be limited to, variations in temperature, noise, odors, multi-stimuli, etc.
3. Will be working in PPE for extended period of time.
SKILLS & ABILITIES:
1. Strong background knowledge of surgical and procedural environments and governing practice standards including the need for excellent personal hygiene to reduce the risk of work product contamination.
2. Strong background knowledge of sterile processing environment, including packaging systems, sterilization process, care and handling of instrumentation and equipment.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must demonstrate English verbal and written proficiencies to utilize written high level disinfection/sterilization guidelines and manufacturers' instructions for use (IFU's).
4. Working knowledge of information systems, inventory control, and supply chain processes, preferably in the health care setting.
5. Ability to independently plan, organize, and set priorities in routine and/or emergency situations.
6. Knowledge of automated materials management and OR/procedural scheduling information system applications as well as Microsoft Office functionalities.
7. Leadership skills needed to lead small work groups and present concepts to a diverse audience of both consumers and providers of service demonstrating excellent analytical, communication, and problem solving skills.
8. Business knowledge of basic accounting, budgeting distribution, E-commerce, compliance, systems management.
Additional Job Description:
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Shift:
Exempt/Non-Exempt:
United States of America (Exempt)
Company:
CCMC Camden Clark Medical Center
Cost Center:
615 CCMC Sterile Processing
Address:
800 Garfield Ave
Parkersburg
West Virginia
Equal Opportunity Employer
West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

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