Instrument Specialist-Atrium Health Lake Norman Sterile Distribution

Atrium Health Lake Norman | Vision for Culture 

At Atrium Health Lake Norman our team is collaborative, inclusive, and patient-centered. Our culture is built on a foundation of trust, shared accountability, and psychological safety. We value clear communication, integrity, and innovation while fostering empathy, respect, and a shared sense of purpose. Leadership sets the tone with a growth mindset and critical thinking. Leaders empower teams, embrace change, and champion excellence. Teammates lift each other up, value relationships within and across disciplines, and share pride in delivering safe top-quality care. It is a culture of ownership, celebration, and belonging, where people are inspired to thrive, grow together, and have fun! 

Job Summary

Accountable for surgical instruments needed for cases within six service line specialties. Decontaminates, assembles, inspects, packages, sterilizes, stores, distributes, and tracks instruments using quality and infection prevention standards. Trains peers on complex instrumentation, serves as a preceptor and informal educator. Serves as a shift lead in the absence of a supervisor or coordinator.

Essential Functions
 

• Adheres to safety standards.
• Transports and handles soiled and sterile items with appropriate traffic flow. Identifies, responds & reports malfunctions and/or alarms.
• Performs efficacy and quality testing for all processes and equipment.
• Operates and trouble shoots equipment with safety standards.
• Identifies manual and/or mechanical cleaning according to the manufacturer’s IFU for all general, laparoscopic, robotic, orthopedic, neuro, plastics, dental, cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, power, implant, loaner instrumentation.
• Performs flexible scope processing utilizing High Level Disinfection (HLD).
• Determines, prepares, and uses supplies required in the assembly process.
• Identifies, inspects, assembles for all general, laparoscopic, robotic, orthopedic, neuro, plastics, dental, cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, power, implant, loaner instrumentation checking for cleanliness & functionality utilizing count sheets.
• Packages and labels instrumentation following standards.
• Knowledge of weight limits on sets and equipment within department.
• Knowledge of how to handle vendor owned items (loaner, consignment).
• Determines sterilization equipment functionality, operation, monitoring, and maintenance with verification and documentation of sterilization process.
• Performs high temperature (steam) and low temperature (gas plasma, ethylene oxide, chemical) sterilization.

Physical Requirements
Works in-patient care areas independently under stressful conditions. Continuous standing and walking; bending and/or stooping; reaching and/or stretching; pushing and/or pulling heavy loads. Ability to lift to 40 lbs.

Education, Experience and Certifications.
High school diploma or equivalent required. Minimum of 5 years experience and demonstrated proficiency in at least 6 service line specialties required. Certified Sterile Processing Technician (CSPDT) / Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) required. Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) / Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) preferred. Membership in a professional central / sterile processing organization preferred.