Find & Apply For Sterile Processing Technician Jobs in Boulder, Colorado

Job Overview The Sterile Processing Supervisor provides daily operational leadership for sterile processing and instrument reprocessing services. The supervisor coordinates staffing and workflow, assigns and monitors work, validates competency, coaches team members, and serves as the department's technical resource. This role remains proficient in hands-on decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, distribution, quality-control monitoring, and instrument tracking. The supervisor partners with nursing, surgical teams, physicians, vendors, and facility leadership to ensure instruments and equipment are safe, complete, available, and processed in accordance with manufacturer instructions, facility policy, and applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements. Essential Responsibilities The supervisor is accountable for the safe, timely, and compliant performance of the sterile processing function and provides direct day-to-day leadership to assigned instrument technicians. Directs daily sterile processing operations and establishes priorities based on the surgical schedule, case complexity, turnaround needs, staffing, and available inventory. Assigns work, coordinates coverage and breaks, monitors productivity, and escalates staffing or workflow concerns to the Director of Nursing. Provides day-to-day guidance, coaching, and technical support to instrument technicians; reinforces respectful teamwork and service standards. Participates in interviewing, onboarding, orientation, competency validation, continuing education, and performance feedback in coordination with facility leadership and Human Resources. Maintains current knowledge of decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, transport, and distribution practices and performs these duties as operational needs require. Ensures manufacturer instructions for use and facility procedures are available, current, and followed for instruments, equipment, detergents, disinfectants, sterilizers, and quality-control products. Reviews instrument sets for cleanliness, function, completeness, correct assembly, and accurate count sheets; resolves missing or damaged instrument issues. Monitors mechanical, chemical, and biological indicators and associated documentation; responds promptly to process failures, recalls, and equipment malfunctions. Maintains accurate instrument-tracking, sterilizer-load, maintenance, testing, inventory, and quality records and supports required record retention. Coordinates preventive maintenance, repairs, vendor service, loaner instrumentation, and replacement recommendations while supporting responsible supply and budget stewardship. Conducts routine audits, identifies trends and risks, implements corrective actions within scope, and reports unresolved compliance or patient-safety concerns. Supports infection prevention, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement activities, emergency preparedness, and survey readiness. Communicates instrument status, delays, shortages, and changes clearly and promptly to perioperative teams and facility leadership. Promotes a culture in which team members report concerns, errors, and near misses promptly and participate in practical process improvement. Performs other duties consistent with the role and operational needs of the facility. Technical and Supervisory Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of surgical instrumentation, set configuration, sterilization modalities, infection-prevention principles, and safe handling of contaminated devices.
• Ability to lead workflow, establish priorities, delegate appropriately, and remain effective during urgent or changing conditions.
• Ability to interpret policies, standards, manufacturer instructions, quality data, and equipment records and translate them into reliable work practices.
• Working knowledge of instrument-tracking systems and standard computer applications used for scheduling, documentation, communication, and inventory management.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, timely escalation, and consistent follow-through on safety, quality, and personnel matters.
• Ability to teach, demonstrate, and validate technical skills and to provide clear, respectful feedback.

Leadership and Professional ExpectationsProfessionalism and People Leadership Models professional conduct, accountability, confidentiality, punctuality, and compliance with organizational values, policies, and ethical standards. Maintains composure, uses sound judgment, and addresses performance, conduct, and conflict promptly and respectfully. Builds trust by setting clear expectations, following through on commitments, and communicating decisions and their rationale. Recognizes employee strengths, identifies development needs, and creates opportunities for learning and increased responsibility. Promotes an inclusive, harassment-free work environment where each person is treated with dignity and respect. Uses the appropriate chain of command and collaborates with Human Resources and leadership on employee-relations matters. Reliability and Quality of Work Verifies that work is completed accurately, on time, and in accordance with established procedures and manufacturer instructions. Monitors department workload, productivity, attendance, documentation, and supply levels and addresses variances promptly. Completes or supports event reports, investigations, recalls, corrective actions, and follow-up within required timeframes. Maintains readiness of work areas, equipment, emergency supplies, and inventory. Communication Provides clear, concise, accurate, and timely written and verbal communication across shifts and with perioperative customers. Conducts shift huddles or staff meetings as needed, communicates priorities and changes, and documents follow-up items. Listens actively, seeks clarification, manages conflict directly and respectfully, and escalates concerns through the appropriate chain of command. Maintains confidentiality of patient, employee, and organizational information. Teamwork Creates a collaborative department culture and aligns the team around safety, quality, service, and operational goals. Coordinates effectively with nursing, surgical teams, physicians, infection prevention, materials management, vendors, and facility leadership. Encourages input, recognizes strong performance, and uses feedback and shared problem-solving to improve results. Supports cross-training and continuity across shifts and provides hands-on assistance when workload or patient-care needs require it. Customer Service and Business Stewardship Maintains responsive, professional service to internal and external customers and communicates realistic expectations when issues arise. Uses labor, supplies, equipment, and vendor resources responsibly and identifies opportunities to reduce waste without compromising safety or quality. Monitors inventory, expiration dates, instrument utilization, repair costs, and replacement needs and provides recommendations to leadership. Supports department goals, performance measures, and improvement initiatives that advance reliable patient care and operational efficiency. Qualifications High school diploma or GED equivalent required; associate degree or additional education in sterile processing, surgical technology, healthcare administration, or a related field preferred. Current CRCST or CSPDT certification required; CER, CIS, CHL, CSPM, or equivalent advanced credential preferred. Minimum three years of recent sterile processing or instrument reprocessing experience required, including demonstrated proficiency across decontamination, assembly, sterilization, quality control, storage, and distribution. Prior lead, preceptor, charge, or supervisory experience preferred; demonstrated ability to coordinate workflow, train staff, and address operational issues required. Knowledge of applicable infection-prevention practices, accreditation and regulatory expectations, manufacturer instructions for use, and quality-management principles. Current certification and education must be maintained throughout employment when required by policy, regulation, or credentialing body. Language and Communication Skills Reads, interprets, and explains manufacturer instructions, technical manuals, policies, standards, training materials, and business communications. Prepares clear documentation, audit findings, educational materials, schedules, and reports. Communicates effectively with staff, physicians, vendors, patients when applicable, and facility leadership. Mathematical Skills Performs routine calculations involving counts, measurements, percentages, productivity, inventory, and basic budget or supply data. Computer Skills Proficient with standard office software and able to learn and use instrument-tracking, scheduling, incident-reporting, maintenance, and inventory systems. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in sterile processing and perioperative support areas. The employee may be exposed to potentially infectious materials, blood and body fluids, steam, heat, moisture, sharps, cleaning agents, disinfectants, chemicals, fumes, and moving equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment and established safety practices are required. The noise level is generally moderate and may increase during equipment operation. Physical Demands The employee must be able to stand and walk for extended periods; use hands and fingers for fine manipulation; reach, bend, stoop, kneel, push, pull, and lift instrument trays or supplies; and perform repetitive tasks. The role requires close visual inspection, depth perception, color differentiation as applicable to indicators, and the ability to hear alarms and communicate in a busy work environment. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and safely maneuver carts. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay:

$32.00 - $41.00 per hour Expected hours: 36.0 - 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person