Job Description
This position ensures sterile surgical instruments and equipment for hospitals, directly impacting patient safety in procedures like surgeries. Technicians clean, sterilize, and assemble reusable tools using autoclaves and washers, preparing them for nurses and doctors across units. Their work prevents infections, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care without equipment concerns. This role supports emergency and routine operations in a rural Minnesota hospital setting.
Essentia Health operates hospitals and healthcare facilities across Minnesota and Wisconsin, dedicated to healthy differences in people's lives. The organization serves communities with comprehensive care, including hospitals like St. Mary's Regional Health Center in Detroit Lakes.
Technicians decontaminate and sterilize instruments, assemble trays, and prepare patient care equipment for use in surgery and nursing units. They operate autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, and sterilizers, inspecting items for damage before processing. Interactions include collaborating with surgical staff, receiving requisitions, and responding to urgent needs. Work occurs in a sterile processing department, involving exposure to chemicals and humidity. One challenge is balancing casual shifts on call without fixed hours, which can lead to unpredictable schedules.
For non-certified Tech I, wages range from $17.98 to $26.97; certified Tech II from $19.08 to $28.62. Work happens at St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, with casual shifts like 7:00 am to 3:30 pm or 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, no weekends, holidays, or call obligations. Benefits for 20+ hours include medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, life insurance, FSA, PTO, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, 401(k) with matching; casual employees access wellness programs and employee discounts.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the reprocessing of reusable surgical instruments and patient care equipment for use in surgery and throughout various nursing units
- Ensure clean, safe, sterile instruments and equipment are available to hospital staff for patient care
- Perform decontamination, sterilization, and assembly processes
- Inspect and prepare instruments and equipment
- Maintain records of processing activities
- Respond to department needs on a casual basis
- Support the sterile processing team in hospital operations
Requirements
- No educational requirements
- Must be certified as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) within 2 years of hire for Tech I (Non-certified)
- Must be certified as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certified Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) for Tech II (Certified)
- Ability to meet certification requirements within timeframe