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Surgical

Sterile Processing Technician - PSS Equipment and Technology, Full-time, Days

Northwestern Medicine logoNorthwestern Medicine$24.26/hrChicago, ILFull timePosted 3w agoStill open, checked every night
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How this pay compares

This posting states $24.26 an hour. Open sterile processing technician jobs in Illinois post a median of $24.86 an hour, the middle half $22.87–$27.12, across 29 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post. Sterile processing technicians employed in Illinois earn a median of $23.10 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).

Sterile processing technicians in Illinois: pay by town and employer

The Surgical Techs & Sterile Processing job market: pay, applicant demand and hiring, researched nightly

Workplace injuries

Northwestern Medical Group in Chicago reported 153 work injuries and illnesses to OSHA for 2025 over 14,107,451 hours worked: 2.2 per 100 full-time workers, against 3.5 per 100 full-time workers at family physicians' offices (e.g., centers, clinics)nationwide. This is the employer's own report. Workplace injuries by employer.

Medicare rating of Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Medicare gives Northwestern Memorial Hospital 5 of 5 stars (Jul 2026; Illinois's hospitals average 3.0). 79% of its patients said their nurses always communicated well (the middle US hospital: 79%). Patients' ratings of their care, not employees' of the job. Its other hospitals · Illinois hospitals by rating.

Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs in our research

  • How long these jobs stay listed: Median days to removal 21.0 days · Still listed at 7 days 72.6%
  • Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 1.38x · Clicks 22
  • How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 51.2% · Stating an hourly rate 38.5%

From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 9 Nov 2026. Every figure for Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs

About the job

Description

  • Hours: 40 hours per week
  • Days Schedule: 5:00 AM - 1:30 PM (Works Every Other Weekend and Works Holidays)
  • Union Hourly Compensation (non-negotiable): $24.26 per hour. The role is graded as a non-exempt position meaning you are eligible for overtime.
  • Benefits Eligible Role: New employees are eligible for benefits to begin on the first of the month following their starting date. Our 2026 Benefits Summary is attached for your reference.

The Sterile Processin g Technician I reflect the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

  • Works under the indirect supervision of the Resource Coordinator and Manager to support Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
  • Follows preference sheet to accurately dispense instruments and supplies to Surgery and Patient care areas.
  • This position requires daily flexibility to perform responsibilities, knowledge of routine policies and procedures and adherence of safety and infection control standards.
  • Demonstrates knowledge and use of the Tray Tracking computer system in assigned areas of the department.
  • Reports and isolates damaged and missing items to Resource Coordinator and Manager.
  • Performs quality assurance and biological testing on equipment and documents accordingly.
  • Maintains logs, prepares, checks and records test results. Approves or refuses materials from sterilizer based on test results. Reports to management any adverse results.
  • Executes proper procedures for equipment malfunctions.
  • Prepares and delivers accurate and timely case carts for use in surgical procedures.
  • Responds to instrument and supply requests from customers in a timely manner.
  • Maintains a friendly, clean and orderly work environment.
  • Checks and reprocesses any expired items.
  • Accurately prepares and labels items for the appropriate method of sterilization.
  • Maintains a working knowledge of all areas of the department by rotating through assigned work areas to ensure service needs of the customer are met.
  • Completes work from previous shift to accommodate department schedules.
  • Dispenses and delivers materials via dumbwaiter, tube system, elevator and/or handcarts.
  • Communicates issues, problems and concerns to management in a timely manner.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

  • High School Diploma
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Basic Computer Skills

Preferred

  • Certification desired within 18 months.
  • Have knowledge of aseptic techniques and procedures, sterilization techniques and procedures, infection control and work flow principles and requirements, instrument and supply processing; demonstrates and exercises responsible judgment to provide necessary supplies and instruments for the patient care areas.

Equal Opportunity

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

From Northwestern Medicine's job posting, checked 9 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Northwestern Medicine

Academic health system with 11 (source: Northwestern Medicine, Careers at Northwestern Medicine) hospitals and hundreds of care locations in the Chicago area and northern Illinois. Source: Northwestern Medicine, Careers at Northwestern Medicine

Based in Chicago, ILHires in Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa, IndianaPay on its listings: 0.3% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

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