Thomas Almendarez
Menasha
Summary
Detail-oriented Sterile Processing Technician with a year of experience. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with hardworking and diligent nature - with a wide array of experience and background knowledge. Planning to grow within a career, where I can utilize all skills gained over the years, thus evolving into a mentoring role, as a high level resource for information within my department/team.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
SPD Technician
ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton
Appleton, WI
09.2025 - Current
- Ensured proper sterilization and maintenance of surgical instruments and equipment.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to enhance workflow efficiency in the sterile processing department.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing supply discrepancies and improving availability.
- Implemented quality control measures to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Led initiatives for continuous improvement, enhancing operational workflows within sterile processing operations.
- Evaluated medical equipment and recommended upgrades when necessary.
- Developed and maintained medical equipment databases.
- Assisted with development and coordination of medical equipment inventories.
- Operated, adjusted, and monitored diagnostic equipment and other machines used during procedures.
- Collaborated with medical staff to confirm availability of medical equipment for patient care.
- Troubleshot medical equipment malfunctions and reported issues to appropriate personnel.
- Liaised between medical staff and medical equipment vendors.
- Provided support to medical staff in resolving medical equipment problems.
- Monitored inventory levels to keep all medical equipment properly stocked.
- Responded to equipment malfunctions by troubleshooting and repairing broken and malfunctioning equipment.
- Picked instruments and supplies for surgeries.
- Identified parameters and sterilization method required for each item to be sterilized.
- Inspected sterile package integrity prior to distribution.
- Recorded biologicals and test results.
- Operated specialized equipment using steam, gas and chemical methods to sterilize equipment.
- Corrected instrument sets according to current standards and established count sheets and instrument tracking systems.
- Handled and disposed of sharps, biohazards and other hazardous materials in accordance with established protocols.
- Tested sterilization equipment by performing regular checks and maintenance to keep instruments in working order.
- Decontaminated surgical instruments to remove bacteria and other contaminants before sterilization.
- Maintained clean and organized sterile processing areas to prevent contamination of instruments and equipment.
- Verified and maintained proper documents and records for sterilization.
- Assessed instruments, equipment, and containers to promote cleanliness and proper functioning.
- Followed OSHA, FDA and AAMI guidelines related to sterilization in compliance with administrative regulations.
- Wrapped trays, instrument packs, and sets.
- Contributed to cost savings measures by managing inventory levels and minimizing waste in the department.
- Conducted routine testing of autoclave machines, ensuring optimal performance and sterility assurance for surgical instruments.
- Played an integral role in departmental accreditation efforts by ensuring adherence to guidelines set forth by applicable regulatory bodies.
- Supported successful surgeries through accurate assembly and timely delivery of required instrument sets.
- Consistently met established deadlines for instrument processing, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of surgical services.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between shifts by effectively communicating pertinent information about ongoing cases or issues with incoming colleagues.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional growth by seeking out opportunities for skill development or certifications within the field.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to strict infection control policies for patient safety.
- Expedited instrument turnaround times through effective utilization of decontamination equipment and processes.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping related to sterilization cycles, load contents, temperature charts, and other essential data points for auditing purposes.
Account Manager, Project Coordinator, and Client Services Rep
Gunderson Uniform & Linen Rental Services
Menasha, Wisconsin
05.2023 - 08.2025
- Working with various hospitals, throughout the entire state of Wisconsin
- Assisting clients with linen and scrub orders
- Contouring product and evaluating usage for individual hospital & clinic departments
- Began assisting with hotel linen rentals on the same scale
- Evaluating product loss/unreturned linens & garments for billing purposes
- Escalating and scheduling missing orders for immediate delivery
- Communicating with plant and ordering team, for product shortages on inventory
- Adding & updating new product for hospitals as garments become dated
- Personalized ordering of custom wearables and business floor mats
- Maintaining and rescheduling consistent deliveries with dispatch team for all customers
- Mediator for both linen processing plants, to address issues and concerns
- Consistent process improvement and monitoring trends of usage per facility
- Training clients for weekly online order access
- Setup of all new customer accounts, product input, billing, and delivery schedules
Financial Specialist
US Venture
Appleton, Wisconsin
12.2022 - 05.2023
- Researching customer account history for Net Term evaluation and adjustments
- Allocating payments and researching unapplied cash
- Assisting with refunds via check or credit card
- Contacting clients with important changes to their account
- Auditing and adjusting credit cards issues
- Updating customer records as needed
- Relationship building with clients and sales reps
- Re-evaluating customer accounts as needed, for increased credit limits
- Addressing charge back issues with clients, and correcting as soon as possible
- Researching and correcting any problematic statements/invoices for all clients
Underwriter & Post Approval Processing
Northwestern Mutual (Contracted)
Fully Remote, Wisconsin
02.2021 - 09.2022
- Processing all NIGO Resolution Requests by contacting Field Reps in obtaining required or missing docs/info
- Able to successfully obtain all required info within a timely fashion, efficiently, and accurately
- Also, working with all associated Analysts to resolve technical matters and escalations
- Independently training two new hires on NIGO Resolution with successful completion between both Individuals
- Fully trained in processing Pending C&C referral requests
- Completing all referral requests within a timely manner with accuracy
- Further training was to begin on additional processes and excited to take on the new skillset
- Looking forward to learning more about our company processes in becoming familiar with all aspects and well-rounded in mentoring
Medical Credentialing Specialist
Daily Care Solutions
Appleton, Wisconsin
10.2019 - 03.2020
- Working with various physicians and hospitals to run background checks, medical licenses, and medical education before employment within a medical facility
- Regularly, contacting physicians to update medical profiles and licenses as need be
- Keeping all information proprietary and confidential
- Securely and efficiently meeting deadlines and providing complete medical applications within a timely fashion
- Able to assist other departments as needed as a 'Versatile Employee', by having full cross-training in the past which ensured an understanding of all aspects of the business
Credit Support Specialist, Collections Coordinator, Mediator, & General Accountant
AIA Corporation
Neenah, Wisconsin
09.2014 - 04.2019
- Working with between 50 to 80 various Sales Affiliates and Franchise Businesses throughout the country to strengthen our financial stability
- Account management of all Affiliates and Franchises while assisting with orders from start to completion & delivery
- Investigating businesses and organizations for financial risk, before any sale of goods
- Ensuring that all necessary legal information has been received and documented thoroughly for future reference
- Validating end-buying customer payments, and forecasting commission percentages after freight, taxes, and other fees
- Working through client payment plans and organizing a feasible road map to strengthen the relationship and solve any problems
- Communicating daily both internally and externally via email and phone regarding client questions, billing issues, and general info
- Conduct meetings and facilitate conference calls for any immediate issues which need attention
- Establish onboarding meetings & conference calls for new clientele, and ensure that all new training is provided as applicable within the accounting department
- Risk management and working as a mediator between our client, the legal department, and the end-buying customer all became strong skill sets immediately upon joining the company
- Thoroughly monitoring all accounts receivable items for financials and timely payment was also a daily task
- Working with Sales Affiliates and Franchise Businesses on outstanding balances to recuperate all costs as needed
- Minimizing the company's financial risk
Office Manager & Human Resources Coordinator
PLS Financial Services
Menasha, Wisconsin
08.2011 - 09.2014
- Creating a positive and inviting environment within our local office for customers to come in and discuss their financial needs
- Politely go through their finances while checking how we can help
- Efficiently qualify customers for how much they are approved for on a loan and explain the terms in a detailed format
- Explaining the numbers, dates, and options available
- Cash handling with care and precision
- Checking and explaining all paperwork thoroughly with customers to make sure all fields are correct and answering any questions that arise in the process
- Daily and weekly auditing of customer files, legal contracts, and bank account information
- Sign off on all approvals after verifying the documentation
- Keeping all files in order and a neat fashion
- Ensuring all customer checks and all PLS proprietary account information is within safekeeping
- Ensuring all dates and appointments are kept promptly and professionally met
Education
Associates - Business Management
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ06-2007
High School Diploma - undefined
Appleton North High School
Appleton, Wisconsin08-2005
Skills
- Communication & Verbal Skills
- Insurance Underwriting
- Post Approval Analysis
- Medical Credentialing
- Dispatching & Route Assessments
- Customer Service
- Business Development
- Account Management
- Office Management
- Weekly/Daily Audits
- Business to Consumer Collections
- Business to Business Collections
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- Process Improvement
- Report Building and Management
- General Accounting
- Recruiting & Employee Management
- Onboarding & Training
- SAGE Software
- PeopleSoft
- Microsoft
- Outlook
- Google Suite
- Billing & Invoicing
- Charge Backs & Payment Processing/Refunds
- Marketing
- CRM and Software Building
- Legal Mediation
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Home Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Organization and Efficiency
- Detail Oriented
- Revenue/Income Tracking & Assessing
- Profit Analyzing
- Human Resources
- Workplace safety
- Adaptable learning
- Sterilization techniques
- Infection control protocols
- Medical equipment handling
- Task prioritization
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Data entry skills
- Decision-making
- Flexible schedule
- Biomedical equipment maintenance
- Cross-functional coordination
- Instrument inspection
- Surgical instrumentation
- Assembly and packaging
- Managing materials
- Safety protocols
- Infection control
- Chemical handling
- Preventive Maintenance
- Recording biologicals
- Equipment testing
- Quality assurance
- Equipment monitoring
- Workflow optimization
- Picking instruments
- Computerized tracking
- Diagnostic testing
- Ordering supplies
- Equipment calibration
- Instrument sterilization
- Technical documentation
- Supply replenishment
- Supply management
- Sterilization procedures
- Inventory rotation
- Completing diagnostic tests
- Regulatory compliance
- Communicable disease knowledge
- OSHA regulations compliance
- Sterilizer operation
- Surgical kit assembly
- Microbiology
- Delivering equipment
- Decontamination and sanitation
- Workstation organization
- Instrument storage
- Processing instruments
- Recording test results
- Pulling case carts
- Tray preparation
- Aseptic technique
- Assembling packages
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Reliability
- Multitasking Abilities
- Troubleshooting ability
- Problem-solving
- Customer service
- Problem-solving abilities
- Hand and power tools
- Instrument cleaning and sterilization
- Medical terminology
- Medication administration
- Self motivation
- Patient confidentiality
- Team building
- Decontamination procedures
- Decontaminating surgical instruments
Timeline
SPD Technician
ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton
09.2025 - Current
Account Manager, Project Coordinator, and Client Services Rep
Gunderson Uniform & Linen Rental Services
05.2023 - 08.2025
Financial Specialist
US Venture
12.2022 - 05.2023
Underwriter & Post Approval Processing
Northwestern Mutual (Contracted)
02.2021 - 09.2022
Medical Credentialing Specialist
Daily Care Solutions
10.2019 - 03.2020
Credit Support Specialist, Collections Coordinator, Mediator, & General Accountant
AIA Corporation
09.2014 - 04.2019
Office Manager & Human Resources Coordinator
PLS Financial Services
08.2011 - 09.2014
High School Diploma - undefined
Appleton North High School
Associates - Business Management
University of Arizona