CST/ SPD Educator

Welcome! We're excited you're considering an opportunity with us! To apply to this position and be considered, click the Apply button located above this message and complete the application in full. Below, you'll find other important information about this position.
The Sterile Processing & Surgical Technology Educator is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating education and competency programs for Sterile Processing (SPD) and Surgical Technology (ST) staff. This role ensures that staff are trained in accordance with current industry standards, regulatory guidelines, and hospital policies to support safe and effective surgical services. The Educator serves as a subject matter expert in decontamination, instrumentation, sterilization, and surgical procedures, and partners with leadership to support quality improvement, orientation, continuing education, and certification preparation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. Associate's Degree required
2. Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) , through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) within 6 months of hire
3. Current Surgical Technologist Certification through one of the following boards:
• National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
• National Center for Competencies Testing (NCCT)
• American Allied Health Association (AAHA)
4. Basic Life Support (BLS)
EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum 3 years of experience in Sterile Processing
2. Minimum 3 years of experience in Surgical Technology.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. Bachelor's Degree in healthcare-related field preferred
2. Instructor or educator certification preferred (e.g., AST Educator, IAHCSMM Instructor).
EXPERIENCE:
1. Previous experience in an educator, preceptor, or leadership role strongly preferred.
CORE JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Develops, coordinates, and delivers onboarding and continuing education for SPD and Surgical Technology staff.
2. Ensures staff competency through annual assessments, skills validations, and just-in-time training.
3. Collaborates with SPD, OR, and Infection Control leadership to maintain regulatory readiness (e.g., AAMI, AORN, CMS, The Joint Commission).
4. Facilitates cross-training opportunities and career development pathways between SPD and Surgical Technology roles.
5. Assists with the implementation of new technology, equipment, instruments, and procedures.
6. Leads root cause analysis education following errors related to instrument processing or surgical setup.
7. Supports quality assurance efforts, including tray audits, biological monitoring education, and process improvement initiatives.
8. Develops and maintains educational materials, competency checklists, and policies relevant to SPD and ST practice.
9. Serves as a clinical preceptor and mentor to new and existing team members.
10. Assists in preparing staff for national certification (CRCST, CST, CBSPD, etc.).
11. Coordinates with vendors for in-servicing and new product education.
12. Participates in SPD and OR team huddles and department meetings to share learning opportunities and safety updates.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, squatting, and stooping.
2. Requires sitting at a computer terminal on an average of 1-2 hours a day.
3. Requires verbal ability to communicate with patients and staff.
4. Requires corrective vision and hearing within normal range.
5. Requires ability to lift and carry items of various weights and sizes.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1. Strong knowledge of surgical procedures, instrumentation, and sterilization techniques.
2. Effective communication, presentation, and teaching skills.
3. Proficient in computer use, including Microsoft Office and learning management systems.
4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Additional Job Description:
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Shift:
Exempt/Non-Exempt:
United States of America (Exempt)
Company:
BMC Berkeley Medical Center
Cost Center:
615 BMC Sterile Processing
Address:
2500 Hospital Drive
Martinsburg
West Virginia
Equal Opportunity Employer
West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.