Sterile Processing Educator

Duke Clinical Research Institute
United States, North Carolina, Durham
300 West Morgan Street (Show on map)
Mar 06, 2026
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together. About Duke Regional Hospital Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. With 388 beds it is the second largest of Duke Health's four hospitals and offers a comprehensive range ofmedical, surgical, and diagnostic services, including orthopedics, weight-loss surgery, women's services, and heart and vascular services. *About Sterile Processing Department, Duke Regional Hospital* The Central Sterile Reprocessing (CSR) department at Duke Regional Hospital plays a critical role in patient safety and surgical excellence. Our team supports the Operating Room, Emergency Department, Labor & Delivery, Behavioral Health, Cath Lab, and Surgical Oncology, ensuring that every instrument and device is properly decontaminated, inspected, assembled, sterilized, documented, and delivered accurately and on time. Within the Operating Room, we support a wide range of specialty service lines including neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, robotics, ENT, dental, urology, vascular, bariatric, gynecology, and plastics. Our work directly impacts surgical outcomes, infection prevention, and the overall efficiency of procedural areas. Every tray prepared by our team supports safe, high-quality patient care. Our department operates in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment where precision and consistency are essential. Team members rotate through all major areas of the workflow, including: Decontamination Prep & Pack Sterilization Case Cart Assembly Storage and Distribution We utilize SPM instrument tracking software to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and real-time documentation. Technology and process standardization are key components of how we maintain quality and meet the demands of multiple high-acuity service lines. *Team Culture & Support* Our Sterile Processing team is collaborative, professional, and committed to supporting one another across shifts. We prioritize cross-training so team members develop versatile skill sets and a comprehensive understanding of the entire reprocessing cycle. This approach strengthens teamwork, improves workflow coverage, and creates growth opportunities within the department. Leadership is engaged, accessible, and focused on building trust, maintaining high standards, and creating a respectful, solution-oriented environment. We believe in proactive communication, continuous learning, and process improvement rather than blame. New team members are supported through structured training, competency validation, and mentorship to ensure confidence and success in their role *Who Thrives in Sterile Processing* Successful team members are detail-oriented, dependable, and take pride in precision work. They are comfortable in a structured, high-standard environment and understand that consistency and documentation matter. Strong communication skills, adaptability, and a commitment to patient safety and teamwork are essential. If you are looking for a department where your work has a direct impact on surgical care, where training and cross-development are prioritized, and where leadership is invested in building a strong, accountable team culture, Duke Regional Sterile Processing offers a meaningful and growth-focused environment. General Description of the Job Class Develops Sterile Processing educational programs regarding proper decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization methods. Collaborates with Sterile Processing Departments (SPD) to ensure Sterile Processing staff, are properly trained and operating within the guidelines set forth by various industry standards and regulations including, but not limited to HSPA, CBSPD, AORN, The Joint Commission, FDA, CDC, OSHA, and AAMI. Duties and Responsibilities of this Level Responsible for staff training and continuous assessments of skills and knowledge to include decontamination, instrument tray assembly, instrument tray storage, sterilization processes and standard precautions to ensure patient safety. Performs new hire staff orientation. Facilitates individual, team and department performance management that include competency development and evaluation, change management processes, work and accountability processes, performance consultation and mentoring staff, and development of job/performance aids. Provides programs that support staff's ability to learn, adapt and change swiftly as new technology emerges and clinical practice evolves. Performs random proactive quality checks of instrument sets and case carts. Collects data for tray errors, missing instrument, documents and reports findings to SPD leadership. Develops training for staff to address identified gaps. Performs retroactive quality checks collects, tracks, researches, resolves and provides follow-up with SPD leadership on collected data related to instrumentation and supplies. Routinely works various shifts to perform quality checks and provide training to the off shifts. Develops program to monitor and review biological control culturing procedures for sterilizers to ensure equipment is operating according to standard. Develops and maintains a tracking system for materials and equipment prepared and issued by SPD in the event of a recall. Maintains a liaison with the operating room managers and staff on tray rightsizing and proper techniques for processing trays in the operating room in preparation for decontamination. Maintains documentation relating to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning, delivering, and managing training and development activities. Provides technical assistance to SPD staff for the assembly of complex surgical instrument sets and provides technical assistance to surgical techs and other Perioperative clinical staff for instrument related issues. Responsible for the knowledge-transfer and ongoing education of staff as they prepare for certifications such as CBSPD (Certification Board of Sterile Processing & Distribution) or HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association). Ensures resources are available to assist staff in maintaining required CEUs needed for their certifications and makes sure staff keeps certifications up to date so that they do not lapse. Responsible for documentation and record maintenance for all team member competencies in the Sterile Processing Department including managers and supervisors Conducts audits of staff training records to ensure compliance with governing guidelines. Works with SPD leadership team in the planning and implementation of clinical service unit and departmental goals, development of policy and procedures, and annual competencies. Assists leadership in the collection of other data for performance improvement initiatives as necessary. Demonstrates compliance with patient safety and risk management protocols including standard precautions and infection control policies. Creates a climate of innovation through role modeling, consultation, research and facilitation of learning. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. Required Qualifications at this Level Education High school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelors in a healthcare related field preferred. Experience Four years in Central Sterile Services; supervisory or educator role experience preferred. Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification Current certification as a Sterile Processing Technician through an accredited organization (CRCST - Certified Registered Central Service Tech, HSPA, or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician CBSPD). Certification in Healthcare Leadership (CHL) preferred. Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.