Description
Decontaminate, inspect, assemble, sterilize, and distribute surgical instruments and reusable medical devices. Operate and monitor sterilization and high-level disinfection systems, maintain documentation and inventory, ensure quality control and regulatory compliance, and support OR and clinical areas with timely sterile supply.
- • Decontaminate instruments using washers, ultrasonic cleaners, and manual cleaning per IFU.
- • Inspect instruments and devices for cleanliness, function, and damage; report defects.
- • Assemble and package instrument trays and sets to count sheets and procedure needs.
- • Operate steam autoclaves and low-temperature sterilizers; select cycles per device IFU.
- • Load, monitor, and unload sterilizers per standards to ensure sterility.
- • Perform biological, chemical, and Bowie-Dick tests; document and interpret results.
- • Maintain records of loads, lot numbers, test results, and equipment maintenance.
- • Label, store, and rotate sterile supplies; check expiration dates and package integrity.
- • Use tracking systems to scan instruments, build case carts, and trace set usage.
- • Coordinate, inspect, and process loaner instrument sets and implants per policy.
- • Disinfect and process patient-care equipment and endoscopes per IFU and policy.
- • Perform daily operational checks on washers and sterilizers; escalate malfunctions.
- • Stage and track instrument repairs and sharpening with vendors.
- • Deliver sterile sets and equipment to OR and clinical areas as requested.
- • Follow PPE, aseptic technique, and infection prevention and safety protocols; participate in training and quality improvement.
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Healthcare & Human Services
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
