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Surgical

Instrument Technician-Processing

UnityPoint Health logoUnityPoint HealthWaterloo, IAFull timePosted 1d agoStill open, checked every night

How this pay compares

This posting does not state an hourly rate. Sterile processing technicians employed in Iowa earn a median of $19.20 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 Iowa: pay by town and employer

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

Workplace injuries

UnityPoint Health- Allen Hospital in Waterloo reported 77 work injuries and illnesses to OSHA for 2025 over 2,464,438 hours worked: 6.2 per 100 full-time workers, against 5.1 per 100 full-time workers at general hospitalsnationwide. 8 of them describe violence by a patient, resident or client in the case's own words. This is the employer's own report. Workplace injuries by employer.

Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs in our research

  • How long these jobs stay listed: Median days to removal 20.0 days · Still listed at 7 days 72.3%
  • Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 1.35x · Clicks 22
  • How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 51.4% · Stating an hourly rate 39.0%

From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 11 Nov 2026. Every figure for Surgical tech and sterile processing jobs

About the job

Overview

Instrument Tech – Sterile Processing

UnityPoint Health - Allen

Shift: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM. 8.5-hour shift, on-call for nights, weekends, and holidays by rotation

Benefits Eligible

An Instrument Tech is responsible for decontamination, disinfection, inspection, assembly, and sterilization of supplies, instruments, and equipment dispensed by the department following established infection control practices. Must be conscientious with regard to procedures and capable of working under pressure and interacting professionally with other departments within hospital. Able to accept new ideas and learn position duties. Participates in the department’s performance improvement activities. Must be able to troubleshoot, identify workable solutions, and communicate effectively with the Sterile Processing Manager.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

  • Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program .
  • Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
  • Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family .

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

  • Assembles all instrument procedure trays using protocol content lists as a guide.
  • Decontaminates instruments, equipment & all other devices per manufacturer guidelines.
  • Ensures items needing repair are removed from service and delivered to the SPD office.
  • Communicates effectively with all customers and staff.
  • Sterilizes instruments, equipment and supplies in various types of autoclaves and sterrad machines.
  • Loads autoclaves and sterrad machines in prescribed manner and sets controls to specified time and temperature according to the type of items being sterilized.
  • Completes appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of medical/surgical procedure and terminology.
  • Applies aseptic techniques in daily work assignments. Performs general cleaning of department surface areas, racks, shelves, storage cabinets, all storage areas, and equipment.
  • Maintains assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition to maintain required standards for the handling of sterilized and clean materials and equipment.
  • Demonstrates a cooperative, courteous and dependable work performance.
  • Performs other related duties that may be assigned.
  • Demonstrates basic knowledge of equipment operation and maintenance.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of infection control principles and Spaulding’s classifications.
  • Expresses knowledge of chemical disinfectants and can access MSDS.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of washer decontamination equipment and can function independently in the decontamination area.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of instrument names and the care and handling of instruments, tray preparation and special procedure items.
  • Demonstrates ability to access and utilize OneSource website for manufacturer’s instructions for use documents.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of sterilizing procedures and biological monitoring and documentation of the steam and sterrad sterilizers.
  • Demonstrates ability to access and utilize RL Events site.
  • Maintains a 3% or less error rate.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • High school graduate or equivalent
  • Internal applicants within UPH-Allen, in good standing, with two years of hospital experience will be considered in place of high school diploma.
  • Must read, write, speak, and comprehend English fluently to read manufacturer’s instructions, sterilization records and all other documentation pertinent to Sterile Processing Department (SPD).
  • Microsoft Office-basic computer skills. Critical thinking skills using independent judgement in making decisions.
  • Ability of flexibility in accepting assignments and works well as a team member and individual.

Preferred

  • Previous experience in Sterile Processing
  • Completion of Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) exam within 2 years of hire

From UnityPoint Health's job posting, checked 15 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About UnityPoint Health

UnityPoint Health hires nurses, physicians and nursing assistants in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

Hires in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, South DakotaPay on its listings: 4.4% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

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