Job Description
Embark on a pivotal journey as a Sterile Processing Tech in Arcata, California, where your precise, steady hands transform operating room readiness into safer patient care. In this role, you’ll be at the center of perioperative excellence, reprocessing, decontaminating, and sterilizing a broad range of instruments with unwavering attention to detail. Each tray you prepare enables surgeons to perform with confidence, anesthesia teams to proceed smoothly, and patients to experience fewer risks. This assignment is more than a job—it’s a chance to shape the reliability of every procedure while you grow your expertise in a field that rewards accuracy, accountability, and continuous learning. And when your shift ends, you’ll be surrounded by the natural beauty of California’s North Coast, where redwood trails and the Pacific coastline offer a restorative counterbalance to your professional focus. Arcata’s unique blend of small-town charm, vibrant community life, and proximity to extraordinary landscapes makes this a place where you can contribute meaningfully while savoring a high quality of life.
Location benefits extend beyond Arcata itself. Working in this welcoming Humboldt County town means easy access to outdoor recreation, a thriving farmers’ market, and a thoughtful, community-centered lifestyle that respects pace and balance. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in assignments at partner facilities across the United States, exposing you to diverse hospital environments, instrument processing workflows, and teams committed to patient safety. This nationwide mobility expands your professional network, sharpens your technique, and broadens your understanding of supply chain, sterilization standards, and regulatory compliance across settings. Whether you’re deepening decontamination protocols, refining sterilization cycles, or leading small improvements in workflow, you’ll benefit from stable housing support, clear extension pathways, and the chance to experience new communities while maintaining a reliable base in Arcata.
In this role, your key responsibilities will include thorough decontamination, meticulous inspection, and careful assembly of instrument sets, followed by sterilization, packaging, and labeling that meet exacting standards. You’ll manage instrument trays, track lot numbers, and ensure traceability from reprocessing through surgical use, upholding aseptic technique and strict adherence to regulatory guidelines. You’ll collaborate with perioperative teams to anticipate instrument turnaround, align on priorities, and support continuous quality improvement. The position offers meaningful opportunities for growth within sterile processing, including cross-training in instrument management, quality assurance, and potential leadership exposure as you accumulate experience. Your compensation reflects your expertise: weekly pay ranges from $1,272 to $1,346 with guaranteed 40 hours per week. The start date for this assignment is December 19, 2025, and the length is measured in weeks, with extension opportunities for performers who demonstrate skill, reliability, and teamwork. In addition to financial stability, you’ll have access to 24/7 support while traveling with the company, a dedicated liaison to assist with housing and orientation, and options for a sign-on bonus where applicable to help you settle quickly into your temporary assignment.
Our company values a culture that empowers you. You’ll find a supportive environment that emphasizes career advancement, ongoing training, and a commitment to your professional development. The teams you join are collaborative and focused on patient safety, instrument integrity, and continuous improvement, with leaders who encourage mentorship and practical growth opportunities. We recognize the critical role sterile processing plays in overall patient outcomes, and we invest in the people who perform this essential work. Expect constructive feedback, clear performance pathways, and a network of colleagues across sites who share a dedication to excellence and compassion. This is a place where your expertise is respected, your learning is prioritized, and your contributions help shape the standard of safe surgical care.
Are you ready to elevate your impact as a Sterile Processing Tech while embracing the beauty of California and the adventure of national assignments? Apply now and join a company that values your skills, supports your career trajectory, and offers the stability you need to excel. This is your chance to grow professionally, expand your horizons, and make a lasting difference in every operating room you touch. Note: the hours and pay rates listed are estimates and may vary. Final compensation packages and guaranteed hours will be confirmed during the hiring process.
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About TLC Nursing
TLC Nursing is a nationwide travel healthcare staffing agency pairing RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and Allied Health professionals with high-quality travel and local contracts across the U.S.
ShiftShield™ – Traveler Protection
ShiftShield™ protects travelers from preventable facility-driven cancellations and ensures fair compensation for schedule disruptions.
Why Travelers Choose TLC
- Competitive weekly pay
- Fast credentialing
- 24/7 recruiter & clinical support
- Nationwide assignments
Referral Bonus
Earn up to $1,000 per referral — no employment required.
EEO Statement
TLC Nursing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Weekly pay, Contract work, Temporary work, Local area, Relocation package, Shift work,