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Travel Sterile Processing Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Sterile Processing Trainer POSITION SUMMARY The Sterile Processing Trainer is responsible for ... Ability to travel throughout the College's service area, including its seven campuses and other ...

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Travel Sterile Processing information

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$12

$24

$39

How much do travel sterile processing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for travel sterile processing in Tennessee is $24.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.12 and $30.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a travel sterile processing technician?

A Travel Sterile Processing Technician is a healthcare professional who travels to different medical facilities, such as hospitals or surgical centers, to clean, sterilize, and prepare medical instruments and equipment for use in surgeries and other procedures. These technicians work on temporary assignments, often filling in during staff shortages or to provide specialized expertise. The role requires knowledge of infection control standards, sterilization techniques, and the ability to adapt to new environments quickly. Travel Sterile Processing Technicians play a vital role in patient safety by ensuring all medical tools are properly disinfected and ready for use.

What are travel sterile processing jobs?

Jobs in travel sterile processing focus on maintaining equipment, ensuring infection control, and otherwise supporting a hospital. As a nurse in this role, you frequently sterilize instruments with an autoclave, ensure the hospital has enough inventory, help prepare patients for surgery, and assist surgeons by providing instruments on demand. Many of these jobs are 13 weeks long and are performed contract by contract—this happens because there is a shortage of nurses with the qualifications for this role, so it is possible to accept bids from other areas and maintain a higher rate of pay. Travel sterile processing nurses frequently use the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows you to work as a nurse in many other states as long as you remain in good standing and have a permanent residence in a compact state.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a travel sterile processing technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Travel Sterile Processing Technician, you need a solid understanding of sterilization techniques, infection control, and medical equipment handling, typically supported by a high school diploma and certification such as CRCST. Familiarity with sterilization tools like autoclaves, tracking systems, and hospital inventory management software is essential. Attention to detail, flexibility, and strong communication skills help ensure effective adaptation to new environments and teamwork. These competencies are crucial to maintaining patient safety, preventing infections, and supporting surgical teams across varying healthcare settings.

What are some common challenges faced by travel sterile processing technicians, and how can they prepare to adapt quickly to new healthcare facilities?

Travel Sterile Processing Technicians often encounter the challenge of adjusting to different hospital protocols, equipment brands, and workflow structures. To succeed, it's important to be adaptable, have strong foundational knowledge of sterilization processes, and communicate proactively with permanent staff. Familiarizing yourself with common industry standards and maintaining up-to-date certifications can also ease transitions. Building strong organizational skills and staying open to learning new procedures will help you become an asset at any assignment.

What is the difference between Travel Sterile Processing vs Central Sterile Processing Technician?

AspectTravel Sterile ProcessingCentral Sterile Processing Technician
CertificationsCPR, Sterile Processing CertificationCPR, Sterile Processing Certification
Work EnvironmentMultiple healthcare facilities, travel requiredSingle hospital or facility, fixed location
Employer & Industry UsageTravel agencies, staffing firms, hospitalsHospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities
Work ScopeReprocessing surgical instruments across various sitesReprocessing instruments within one facility

Travel Sterile Processing and Central Sterile Processing Technician roles both require similar certifications and involve instrument reprocessing. However, Travel Sterile Processing professionals work across multiple healthcare facilities, often requiring travel, while Central Sterile Processing Technicians are based at a single location. Both roles are essential in maintaining sterile environments and ensuring patient safety in healthcare settings.

How to get into travel sterile processing?

To enter travel sterile processing, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with certification such as the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST). Gaining experience in hospital or healthcare settings and being flexible with travel assignments are also important for success in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Travel Sterile Processing jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Travel Sterile Processing jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Travel Sterile Processing jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Travel Sterile Processing job openings:

Infographic showing various Travel Sterile Processing job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,903 per year, or $25 per hour.

Supervisor, Sterile Processing - Travel

Chattanooga, TN • On-site


STERIS Corporation

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 895 rated healthcare providers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Position Summary

The Supervisor, Sterile Processing will provide onsite support, training, Customer Service, and communication regarding the processing of surgical instruments and staff management to contracted facilities in compliance with STERIS Standard Work or QMS, the Department of Health, TJC, DNV, OSHA, CDC, AAMI and AORN standards, and facility goals and policies. Coordinates and oversees day-to-day operations of the STERIS IP sterile processing team. The Supervisor, Sterile Processing is responsible for their assigned shift. Work hours will be based upon the department and/or Customer needs and may change during the course of your employment.

This position requires 100% domestic travel.

Duties
  • Provides supervision and leadership of Sterile Processing Department at assigned facility and shift.
  • Manages workflow and maintains staffing work schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays, to ensure on time delivery to Customer.
  • Meets with direct reports monthly to provide feedback, hold employee accountable to performance, development, and expectations to ensure quality service.
  • Responsible for partnering with leader to address and resolve employee concerns timely and drive employee engagement activities.
  • In collaboration with the manager, supports the scheduling for new STERIS employee orientation, on-the-job training, in-service education, and quality assurance programs when needed.
  • Participates in interviews, hiring, training, and coaching of Customer employees as required by the contract.
  • Oversees and supports daily operations of all activities that relate to the proper processing of reusable medical supplies and instrumentation including decontamination, cleaning, assembly, sterilization, and storage processes within all set professional standards and regulations.
  • Performs Sterile Processing Technician responsibilities as needed to ensure on time delivery to Customer.
  • Follows chain of command within hospital and/or STERIS regarding identified problems or issues to ensure proper communication and resolution. Responsible for answering and responding to calls from the Customer and other end-users, during and after regular business hours as required by the contract.
Duties - cont'd
  • Assists manager in review of all required documentation related to STERIS Standard Operating Procedures and ensures staff's adherence to applicable policies and procedures.
  • Performs daily observations to identify process improvement opportunities within operations and employee performance and compliance.
  • Maintains a safe work environment by setting standards for staff use of universal precautions, personal protective equipment, and completing daily safety observations.
  • Promotes collaboration with Customer physicians, nursing staff, department heads, and personnel of other departments.
  • Works with Education to identify developmental training opportunities for employees and supports the delivery of education and training as required.
  • Other duties as assigned

IND123

#LI-AP1

Education Degree
  • High School Diploma or GED
Required Experience
  • High school diploma or GED, Bachelor's degree preferred
  • 4+ years' experience in Sterile Processing
  • 1+ years' experience in leadership (supervisor level or above with direct reports) OR 2+ years of lead experience.
  • CRCST or CBSPD Certification and additional certification (i.e. instrument specialist, flexible endoscope, healthcare leader, manager, STERIS Assessment) required. If not certified at point of hire, both certifications must be obtained within 12 months of hire.
  • Must be able to be compliant with hospital/customer credentialing requirements
  • If assigned to travel, must maintain valid driver's license, vehicle insurance and be available to operate a vehicle as needed to meet travel requirement
  • Strong computer skills required including a working knowledge of MS Word and MS Excel. Experience with an instrument tracking system highly preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities

Must have a good working knowledge of Instruments, the operation/workings of the OR and be able to readily understand their issues and requests.Be able tospeak the language of the OR.

Ability to act as a resource for staff in both SPD and OR regarding identification and assembly of specialty instrument trays.

Ability to train in all procedures regarding SPD responsibilities.

Ability to schedule and maintain department productivityin order toprovidenecessary services within the set IMS budget for overtime.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Other Qualifications

Ability to work daily in a fast- paced, high-pressure Healthcare Services environment.

Ability to perform tasks simultaneously while maintaining quality and controlling chaos.

Ability to work alternate shifts as necessary.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk, see and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, push and/or pull up to 100 pounds on a cart or carriage.

Preferred Experience
  • Associate's and/or Bachelors Degree from an accredited two-year college or technical school preferred but not required
  • Current Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) or Certified in Sterile Processing Management (CSPM).
  • Experience using instrument tracking software
  • Microsoft Office (knowledge of MS Office 365 including Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint) and must be capable of learning software programs (including instrument tracking and timekeeping and payroll systems) and/or hardware as required.
  • Union experience preferred (Travel)
Skills
  • Understands and promotes concepts of the Lean work environment.
  • Microsoft Office
  • Understand and promotes the development of individual employee objectives.
  • Effective communication skills and ability to conduct team meetings
  • Ability to handle multiple demands from many people and prioritize effectively.
  • Ability to maintain composure under pressure.
  • Ability to effectively employ delegation, collaboration, conflict resolution skills in a team environment
Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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