Surgical Sterilization Technician jobs

Position Summary

The Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (MDRT) is responsible for the safe, effective, and timely cleaning, disinfection, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical devices.

The MDR Technician plays an important role in supporting the surgical schedule by ensuring instruments, trays, and medical devices are appropriately reprocessed, available, and ready for use.

The MDR Technician works closely with OR Nurses, other MDR staff, surgeons, surgical representatives, PAR/Recovery staff, cleaning staff, and facility personnel to support safe and efficient surgical operations.

The MDR Technician reports to the MDR Lead, with overall operational guidance from the OR Manager and clinical guidance from the Surgical Director.

Key ResponsibilitiesMedical Device Reprocessing

• Perform all stages of medical device reprocessing in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Receive, sort, clean, disinfect, inspect, assemble, package, sterilize, and store surgical instruments and medical devices.
• Follow manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs) for all applicable instruments, equipment, and reprocessing processes.
• Ensure instruments are appropriately cleaned and inspected prior to assembly and sterilization.
• Identify damaged, incomplete, or malfunctioning instruments and report concerns to the MDR Lead.
• Assemble surgical trays and instrument sets accurately according to established preference cards and tray lists.
• Ensure appropriate sterilization packaging and indicators are used.
• Operate sterilizers, washer-disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners, and other MDR equipment safely and appropriately.
• Monitor sterilization and disinfection processes and complete required documentation.
• Ensure sterilized instruments and supplies are appropriately stored and protected from contamination.

Surgical Case Preparation

• Review upcoming surgical requirements and prepare appropriate instrument trays and supplies.
• Ensure required instrumentation is available and ready for scheduled procedures.
• Work closely with OR Nurses to identify case-specific instrumentation and equipment requirements.
• Assist with preparation and processing of specialty and orthopedic instrumentation as required.
• Process instruments efficiently to support surgical room turnover and daily surgical flow.
• Prioritize urgent or time-sensitive reprocessing needs appropriately.
• Communicate missing, damaged, or unavailable instrumentation to the MDR Lead and OR team.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Follow applicable Alberta Health requirements, CSA Z314 standards, manufacturer IFUs, infection prevention and control requirements, occupational health and safety requirements, and facility policies.
• Maintain appropriate infection prevention and control practices throughout the reprocessing process.
• Follow established quality assurance and sterilization monitoring procedures.
• Complete required biological, chemical, and physical monitoring processes as applicable.
• Maintain accurate reprocessing, sterilization, equipment, and quality-control documentation.
• Immediately report sterilization failures, equipment concerns, processing errors, or other safety concerns to the MDR Lead.
• Follow appropriate procedures for quarantining or removing compromised instruments or sterilized items from use.
• Maintain patient and organizational confidentiality.
• Use appropriate PPE and follow workplace safety procedures at all times.

Equipment & Instrumentation

• Operate MDR equipment safely and according to manufacturer instructions and facility procedures.
• Perform routine checks of MDR equipment and report concerns or malfunctions promptly.
• Maintain instruments and equipment appropriately to support longevity and safe use.
• Identify instruments requiring repair, replacement, or further assessment.
• Ensure instruments are handled carefully throughout the reprocessing process.
• Assist with receiving and processing loaner instrumentation when required.
• Ensure loaner trays and specialty instrumentation are appropriately processed and available for scheduled cases.

Inventory & Supplies

• Monitor MDR supplies and communicate low or depleted stock levels to the MDR Lead.
• Maintain organized MDR work areas, storage areas, and supply areas.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate stock levels of sterilization packaging, chemical indicators, cleaning products, PPE, and other MDR supplies.
• Rotate supplies appropriately and monitor expiration dates where applicable.
• Report supply shortages or backorders before they affect surgical operations.

Communication & Teamwork

• Work collaboratively with MDR colleagues and the broader surgical team.
• Communicate effectively with OR Nurses regarding instrumentation, trays, case requirements, and reprocessing concerns.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication with surgeons, surgical representatives, vendors, and facility staff.
• Ask questions and seek clarification when instrumentation, equipment, or reprocessing requirements are unclear.
• Escalate concerns appropriately to the MDR Lead or OR Manager.
• Support a positive, collaborative, and safety-focused workplace environment.

Cleaning & Organization

• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient MDR work environment.
• Follow appropriate separation of contaminated and clean/sterile areas.
• Clean and disinfect MDR work surfaces and equipment according to established procedures.
• Ensure instruments and supplies are stored appropriately to maintain sterility and prevent damage or contamination.
• Assist with maintaining an organized workflow that supports efficient surgical operations.

QualificationsRequired

• Current recognized Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (MDRT) certification.
• Previous MDR experience in a healthcare or surgical environment is an asset.
• Strong understanding of medical device reprocessing principles and practices.
• Knowledge of surgical instrumentation and sterilization processes.
• Ability to safely operate MDR equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently while recognizing when concerns need to be escalated.

Preferred

• Experience working in an operating room or private/ambulatory surgical centre.
• Experience with orthopedic and specialty surgical instrumentation.
• Experience with loaner instrumentation and vendor trays.
• Experience with sterilizers, washer-disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners, and other MDR equipment.
• Experience working with surgical preference cards and instrument lists.

Key Competencies

• Medical device reprocessing knowledge
• Surgical instrumentation knowledge
• Attention to detail
• Infection prevention and patient safety
• Organization and efficiency
• Quality and accuracy
• Problem-solving
• Communication and teamwork
• Accountability and professionalism
• Time management and prioritization
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Commitment to continuous learning

Hours & Compensation

Position: Full-Time MDR Technician

Schedule: Based on surgical centre operating hours and surgical schedule, with flexibility to accommodate early starts, surgical volume, room turnover, and reprocessing requirements.

Compensation: Based on experience and qualifications.

Pay: $30,000.00-$60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Extended health care
• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Work Location: In person