OPT Sterile Processing Tech Jobs
Sterile Processing Tech jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in health sciences, biomedical technology, or related fields. Many hospital systems and surgical centers hire OPT workers, and roles in sterile processing align well with STEM-adjacent health programs that support a 24-month OPT extension.
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We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could use an expert guide. We work hard, care deeply and reach further to help people uncover their own power to be healthy. We inspire hope. We learn, grow, and achieve more – in our careers and in our communities.
Job Description Summary:
This position is responsible for the daily operation of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) within one or more tertiary care site. The SPD Operations Manager ensures delivery of evidence-based practice by staff in a cost effective manner. Management functions include planning; organizing; staffing; directing and controlling all activities to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of quality products and service.
Responsibilities And Duties:
- Clinical Responsibilities:
- Ensures the provision of evidenced based quality practice by staff in a cost effective manner
- Serves as a role model and consultant to staff on matters of judgment and practice
- Works in collaboration with other healthcare disciplines, and assists in integrating services across the continuum of health care
- Uses data from various sources to initiate continuous quality improvement at the unit level
- Improves standards of practice through the provision of competent and skilled personnel
- Ensures appropriate orientation of all personnel to the department
- Maintains records, statistics, patient, staff, and organizational confidentiality
- Develops, coordinates & approves staff work schedules; ensures the creation of daily staff assignments
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Participates in all site surveys and ensures the orderly clinical operations of the department
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Administrative/Leadership Responsibilities:
- Hires, trains, supervises, evaluates and manages SPD staff consistent with Human Resources policies and procedures
- Facilitates development of leadership activities and promotes staff and self-attendance at meetings and educational programs
- Contributes to the personal and professional growth of others through feedback, coaching and support
- Conducts & participates in yearly performance evaluation of all personnel
- Coordinates facility maintenance, development and upkeep
- Participates in divisional, departmental and hospital activities; develops and maintains professional competencies by attending educational programs and participation in professional organizations
- Seeks opportunities for publication, presentation and professional leadership in professional and community societies
- Assumes leadership roles in professional organizations and encourages staff participation
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Prepares and submits reports in an accurate, complete and timely fashion as directed by the System Director
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Financial Responsibilities:
- Prepares annual budgets and operates within budget guidelines; develops and maintains position control; manages resources to remain within established budgets and controls materials, supplies, instruments and equipment necessary for unit operations; reviews monthly DRR and explains variances to budget
- Directs the activities of personnel resources to achieve the highest levels of performance and to ensure that productivity goals are consistently met
- Has oversight for the maintenance of supply, instrument and equipment inventories in the department
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Evaluates the need for new equipment and/or replacement of old equipment; collaborates with Perioperative and SPD management team members to make recommendations for Capital Equipment requests
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Service Excellence:
- Serves as a role model to others by exhibiting excellent interpersonal relation skills through verbal and non-verbal behavior
- Promotes positive communications with staff, other areas within the hospital, and in the community
- Addresses nursing and physician complaints/concerns as expeditiously as possible to improve customer satisfaction
- Establishes and strengthens relationships with physicians
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Honors the dignity and worth of every individual
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Culture:
- Promotes a team environment; facilitates an atmosphere of participative management and development of collegial relationships among staff; serves as a link between nursing staff and other health care disciplines both within and outside of the organization
- Assesses the learning needs of all SPD staff; contributes to the development of self and staff through educational programs to meet identified learning needs; provides regular in-services
- Conducts monthly staff meetings
- Facilitates and encourages staff to obtain relevant specialty certification
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Advocates a work environment that minimizes work-related illness or injury
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Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensures compliance with internal and external regulatory organizations e.g. TJC, OSHA, ODH, etc.
- Identifies methods to achieve and monitor compliance with requirements of regulatory organizations
As a High Reliability Organization (HRO), responsibilities require focus on safety, quality and efficiency in performing job duties.
The job profile provides an overview of responsibilities and duties and is not intended to be an exhaustive list and is subject to change at any time.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree
Additional Job Description:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Nursing, or related field with 3-5 years relevant experience or; High School Diploma/GED with 7-10 years of relevant experience, which 2-3 years must be in a supervisor/team lead capacity.
KIND AND LENGTH OF EXPERIENCE
- 2-5 years previous management experience, preferably in healthcare
- More than 5 years previous Sterile Processing or other relevant experience
- Experience in working in multi-disciplinary teams and in complex matrix relationships
- Excellent relationship and team skills
- Strategic thinking and analytical skills
- Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to communicate complex issues and strategies
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Effective use of personal computer technology for generating reports, trending information and creating presentations
- Physician relations
- Customer service skills
Work Shift:
Variable
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
Sterile Processing
Join us!
... if your passion is to work in a caring environment
... if you believe that learning is a life-long process
... if you strive for excellence and want to be among the best in the healthcare industry
Equal Employment Opportunity
OhioHealth is an equal opportunity employer and fully supports and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. OhioHealth does not discriminate against associates or applicants because of race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, military status, pregnancy, disability, marital status, familial status, or other characteristics protected by law. Equal employment is extended to all person in all aspects of the associate-employer relationship including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, reduction in staff, termination, assignment of benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Sterile Processing Tech
Target large hospital systems first
Academic medical centers and large health systems like Kaiser, HCA, and VA hospitals have dedicated HR infrastructure for work authorization. They're far more likely to have processed OPT paperwork before and won't treat your status as an unknown risk.
Lead with your certification, not your visa status
CRCST or CSPDT certification from IAHCSMM or CBSPD signals professional readiness before visa questions arise. Certified candidates get screened in faster, which means you're negotiating from a position of demonstrated competence rather than explaining your OPT timeline upfront.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Employers can hire you up to 90 days before your OPT start date. Starting the application process early gives hospitals time to run background checks and onboarding, which in healthcare can take four to six weeks longer than in other industries.
Know your EAD card renewal window
Your EAD is your proof of work authorization. Apply for renewal at least 180 days before it expires. Healthcare employers are especially cautious about employment authorization gaps because they face separate compliance obligations under Joint Commission accreditation standards.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage
Sterile processing roles don't typically qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations, so have an honest conversation early. Some employers will sponsor an EB-3 green card for long-term techs instead. Knowing the pathway before you accept avoids a difficult conversation 11 months into your OPT.
Document your decontamination and sterilization experience precisely
OPT requires employment directly related to your degree. Keep records showing how each role connects to your field of study. For sterile processing, tie your tasks explicitly to your program's coursework in microbiology, infection control, or health sciences to support any future status extension.
Sterile Processing Tech OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Sterile Processing Tech job qualify for F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a related field such as health sciences, biomedical technology, surgical technology, or a similar program. The job must be directly related to your major. If you studied biology, microbiology, or clinical laboratory science, sterile processing work typically qualifies. You'll need to document the connection between your coursework and your job duties clearly.
Do Sterile Processing Tech jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Sterile processing roles can qualify for the STEM OPT extension if your degree appears on the official DHS STEM designated degree program list. Degrees in biomedical engineering, health informatics, or biological sciences often qualify. A general health sciences degree may not. Check your exact program CIP code against the STEM list before planning your timeline around an extension.
Where can I find Sterile Processing Tech jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students and surfaces sterile processing roles at employers open to work authorization. General job boards don't filter by sponsorship willingness, which means you can spend weeks applying to jobs that will screen you out at the offer stage. Migrate Mate removes that friction.
Will a Sterile Processing Tech employer sponsor an H-1B visa after OPT?
Most sterile processing roles don't qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because the position typically doesn't require a specific bachelor's degree as a minimum entry requirement. Some employers do sponsor EB-3 green cards for long-term technicians, particularly in unionized hospital systems. Raise this question during the offer stage so you understand your long-term options before committing.
Can I work full time as a Sterile Processing Tech on OPT?
Yes. Post-completion OPT permits full-time employment, and sterile processing departments almost universally hire for full-time shift positions. Pre-completion OPT limits you to 20 hours per week while school is in session, which rarely works with hospital scheduling demands. Most techs begin their OPT employment after graduation when full-time hours are permitted without restriction.