Substitute Sterile Processing Instructor

Position Overview

The instructor’s primary responsibilities are to provide active and effective learning for students in all applicable educational settings, act as professional and academic role models and commit to student satisfaction. This includes teaching in classrooms, labs, and outside the classroom during campus and student activities. This position delivers high-quality instruction to students, combining theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience, develops and implements curriculum, assesses student progress, and ensures adherence to industry standards and best practices.

What You'll Do

Instructional Delivery and Classroom Management

• Organize, prepare, and deliver course objectives in a clear, concise, and engaging manner consistent with the approved Sterile Processing curriculum.

• Deliver classroom lectures, hands-on laboratory instruction, demonstrations, and practical exercises related to sterile processing procedures, infection prevention, instrumentation, and equipment operation.

• Provide instruction in core sterile processing competencies, including:

  • Decontamination, cleaning, and disinfection of reusable medical instruments and equipment.

  • Surgical instrument identification, inspection, assembly, and preparation.

  • Sterilization methods, monitoring, documentation, and quality assurance.

  • Preparation, packaging, labeling, and proper storage of sterile supplies.

  • Infection prevention, standard precautions, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

  • Safe operation, preventive care, and basic troubleshooting of sterile processing equipment.

  • Instrument tracking, inventory management, and distribution practices.

  • Compliance with manufacturers' instructions for use (IFUs), applicable regulations, and industry standards.

• Foster and maintain an orderly, professional, controlled, and safe learning environment in classrooms and laboratories.

• Prepare, maintain, inspect, and organize laboratory supplies, surgical instruments, training aids, tools, and equipment necessary for effective instruction.

• Adapt instructional methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, abilities, and educational needs.

• Integrate practical examples, real-world healthcare scenarios, and critical-thinking exercises to reinforce technical knowledge and workplace readiness.

Student Assessment, Engagement, and Retention

• Evaluate student learning and technical proficiency through examinations, written assignments, laboratory demonstrations, practical assessments, and competency-based evaluations.

• Assess students' ability to perform sterile processing procedures accurately, safely, and in accordance with established protocols.

• Provide timely, constructive feedback and individualized academic support to promote student success.

• Meet with students, faculty, and educational personnel to address instructional concerns, academic performance, and student progression.

Curriculum, Safety, and Industry Compliance

• Maintain current knowledge of sterile processing practices, emerging technologies, instrumentation, infection prevention protocols, and healthcare industry expectations.

• Ensure instructional content and laboratory activities reflect applicable standards and guidance from organizations such as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other relevant authorities.

• Reinforce the importance of patient safety, infection prevention, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance throughout all instructional activities.

• Follow institutional safety requirements, laboratory procedures, equipment operating instructions, and appropriate PPE protocols.

• Participate in curriculum review, instructional improvement initiatives, professional development, faculty meetings, and program-related training activities.

• Assist in preparing students for applicable industry certification examinations and entry-level employment in sterile processing departments.

Externship Development and Clinical Partnership Support

• Assist the Program Director and designated externship personnel in identifying, developing, and maintaining appropriate externship sites within hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and other healthcare facilities with sterile processing operations.

• Support outreach to prospective healthcare partners to expand the program's network of clinical training opportunities.

• Assist with maintaining productive professional relationships with sterile processing department managers, clinical educators, preceptors, and healthcare facility representatives.

• Participate in introductory meetings, facility visits, and discussions with prospective externship partners, as assigned.

Administrative and Professional Responsibilities

• Complete required instructional documentation, reports, assessment records, and administrative assignments accurately and within established deadlines.

• Provide periodic and ad hoc reporting to the Program Director and other designated stakeholders regarding academic performance, student engagement, laboratory competencies, and program-related activities.

• Participate in faculty meetings, institutional activities, student support initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Collaborate effectively with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and other campus departments to promote student persistence, graduation, and employment readiness.

• Demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, sound judgment, and confidentiality in all interactions.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Experience

• Diploma in Sterile Processing from an accredited institution.

• Minimum of three (3) years of occupational experience as a Sterile Processing Technician or in a directly related sterile processing role.

• Direct and specialized knowledge of sterile processing procedures, surgical instrumentation, infection prevention, sterilization technologies, and applicable safety standards.

• Demonstrated technical expertise and practical experience sufficient to provide classroom instruction, laboratory demonstrations, and competency-based assessment.

• Must meet applicable institutional instructor qualifications as outlined in the Minimum Qualification Matrix and individual program requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current professional certification in sterile processing, such as Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT).

• Previous classroom instruction, clinical education, employee training, or healthcare preceptor experience.

• Experience working with sterile processing department leadership or supporting healthcare facility relationships.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to design and deliver engaging educational content that connects theoretical instruction with practical sterile processing applications.

• Demonstrated knowledge of surgical instrumentation, decontamination, sterilization processes, equipment maintenance, infection prevention, and quality assurance.

• Ability to demonstrate technical procedures and evaluate student proficiency through hands-on competency assessments.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build productive relationships with students, colleagues, healthcare partners, and clinical preceptors.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to identify students requiring additional assistance and implement appropriate instructional and student success interventions.

• Ability to adapt instructional methods to diverse learning styles and student needs.

• Ability to remain current with industry advancements and incorporate new techniques, standards, and practices into instruction.

• Effective organizational, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established instructional and administrative deadlines.

• Proficiency with computers, learning management systems, instructional technology, and electronic documentation.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive student and institutional information.

• Commitment to professional development, continuous learning, and instructional excellence.

• Ability to foster and maintain long-term professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

The following physical requirements are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Frequently (80% or more of the workday):

• Use visual and auditory abilities necessary to deliver instruction, observe student performance, and monitor laboratory activities.

• Communicate directly with students, demonstrate instructional concepts, and supervise classroom and laboratory activities.

Occasionally (up to 50% of the workday):

• Use fine motor skills to operate computers, surgical instruments, instrument-processing tools, and laboratory equipment.

• Demonstrate procedures involving instrument inspection, assembly, packaging, and sterile processing equipment.

• Stand, walk, and move between classroom and laboratory instructional stations.

Rarely (less than 20% of the workday):

• Lift, carry, push, or pull materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with appropriate mechanical assistance or support from other personnel.

• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or bend to demonstrate laboratory procedures, inspect equipment, or assist students with technical activities.

Additional Functional Requirements:

• Ability to communicate, think critically, learn, reason, and make informed decisions.

• Ability to operate computer systems and instructional technology to process information, maintain records, and complete assigned tasks.

• Ability to safely navigate campus facilities, classrooms, and laboratory environments.

• Ability to demonstrate active listening, sound judgment, problem-solving, information organization, and adaptability.

• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply information relevant to the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed indoors in a climate-controlled educational environment, including classrooms, instructional laboratories, and administrative workspaces.

• Classroom and laboratory instruction may involve exposure to surgical instruments, sterilization equipment, cleaning agents, and simulated clinical environments.

• Employees must observe all applicable safety precautions, equipment operating procedures, infection prevention practices, and PPE requirements.

• Participation in occasional off-campus visits to healthcare facilities or prospective externship sites may be required.

• Employees must comply with site-specific safety procedures and professional expectations when visiting healthcare facilities.

• The position is designated as on-site/on-campus in accordance with institutional operational and instructional needs.

About Us

Universal Technical Institute, Inc. is a national leader in workforce solutions for transportation, skilled trades and healthcare/dental. Across our two brands, Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges, we share a common purpose: to prepare students for careers in high-demand fields. Just as we invest in our students’ futures, we invest in our people by creating opportunities to grow, contribute and build rewarding careers while making a lasting difference in the lives of students, employers and the communities we serve.