Yaquelin Rivas
Porter
Summary
Professional with experience ensuring safe and efficient sterilization of medical instruments and equipment. Skilled in decontamination, sterilization, and inventory management, with strong focus on maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety. Reliable team player known for adapting to changing needs and consistently delivering results. Known for attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Sterile Processing Technician
St Davids South Austin Medical Center
Austin, TX
02.2026 - Current
- Monitored inventory levels of sterile supplies and ensured timely replenishment.
- Wrapped trays, instrument packs, and sets.
- Conducted routine maintenance on sterilization equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Trained new staff on proper sterilization techniques and safety protocols.
- Supported surgical teams effectively by preparing instrument trays according to procedure requirements.
- Assessed instruments, equipment, and containers to promote cleanliness and proper functioning.
- Decontaminated surgical instruments to remove bacteria and other contaminants before sterilization.
- Inspected sterile package integrity prior to distribution.
- Tested sterilization equipment by performing regular checks and maintenance to keep instruments in working order.
- Recorded biologicals and test results.
- Maintained clean and organized sterile processing areas to prevent contamination of instruments and equipment.
- Assisted in staff development by providing guidance to new team members on proper sterile processing techniques.
sterile processing technician (travel contract)
St David’s Georgetown
Georgetown, Tx
11.2025 - 01.2026
- Managed sterile processing operations independently during night shifts, ensuring compliance with regulatory and facility standards.
- Partnered with OR nurses and schedulers to align tray preparation with surgical timelines, improving coordination and minimizing intraoperative delays.
- Led cross-shift huddles with OR coordinators and night staff to synchronize case priorities and prevent last-minute tray shortages, strengthening intra-departmental communication.
- Maintained strict instrument-care protocols and equipment checks, ensuring reliable sterile output that supports uninterrupted surgical workflow and patient safety.
- Audited sterilization cycle logs to identify variability, then standardized documentation methods to create clearer traceability and support quality reviews.
- Performed rigorous instrument inspections and defect tracking, catching discrepancies early and preserving patient safety and procedural reliability.
- Performed cleaning and decontamination of laparoscopic instruments.
- Ensure compliance with hospital safety standards.
- Worked with surgical schedulers and supply team to prioritize critical case instruments, improving readiness and minimizing last-minute delays.
Sterile Processing Technician (travel contract)
St Davids Medical Center
Austin, Texas
03.2025 - 10.2025
- Prepared trays, instrument packs and surgical sets.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure timely availability of sterile instruments.
- Implemented safety protocols to maintain a clean and efficient processing environment.
- Assisted in training new staff on proper sterilization techniques and procedures.
- Documented sterilization processes accurately to ensure compliance with health standards.
- Inspected instruments for cleanliness, proper function and breakage by viewing instruments before assembly.
- Operated steam sterilizers, washer-disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners, dry heat ovens, and other related equipment.
- Packaged instruments into peel pouches and properly labeled pouches.
- Maintained accurate records of all sterilized items, including item number, date, time, type of sterilizer used, and operator initials.
- Performed decontamination of medical instruments and equipment to prepare for sterilization.
- Validated the sterility of processed instruments by performing biological and chemical indicator testing.
- Reported any malfunctions or discrepancies in equipment to management immediately.
- Verified that all documents were completed accurately before releasing items from the sterile processing area.
Sterile Processing Tech (travel contract)
St. David’s South Austin Medical center
Austin, Tx
07.2024 - 02.2025
- Introduced new sterilization techniques, improving instrument longevity.
- Developed training programs to enhance team proficiency.
- Fostered strong relationships with clinical staff, facilitating smooth operations.
- Participated in interdepartmental initiatives to enhance patient care.
- Maintain a sterile environment, meticulously clean and sterilize medical instruments.
- Ensure compliance with safety protocols, track inventory, and collaborate with healthcare teams.
- Monitored and documented sterilization processes, guaranteeing accuracy and compliance.
- Ensured proper sterilization of medical instruments using Sterrad systems, enhancing patient safety.
- Clean laparoscopic tools, ensuring optimal hygiene and safety in surgical procedures.
- Maintain sterile equipment, reducing infection risks and supporting surgical efficiency.
- Inspect instruments for defects, ensuring functionality and patient safety.
- Conduct Bowie-Dick tests to ensure sterilization efficacy.
- Resolved testing discrepancies to maintain compliance.
- Improved equipment reliability through consistent testing.
- Embrace ongoing training in latest sterilisation methods, staying current with industry advancements to ensure best practices.
- Fostered strong interdepartmental relationships, facilitating smooth workflow in sterile processing. Actively participated in team discussions to improve sterilization techniques and protocols.
Sterile processing tech, endoscope reprocessing
Memorial Hermann Hospital
Shenandoah, Tx
06.2023 - 07.2024
- Set up trays based on surgeons' instructions and typical needs of each procedure.
- Performed routine maintenance on endoscopy equipment to ensure optimal functionality.
- Sterilized and assembled surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies according to established procedures.
- Maintained accurate records of sterilization processes, equipment maintenance, and inventory control.
- Provided assistance during inspection visits by external regulatory agencies or accreditation bodies related to sterile processing functions.
- Prepared trays for open heart, transplant and major orthopedic surgeries.
- Examined surgical instruments for cleanliness, damage, or wear and reported any issues to appropriate personnel.
- Prepared and packaged surgical instrument sets for sterilization in accordance with established guidelines.
- Perform manual and automated endoscope cleaning, ensuring adherence to manufacturer guidelines.
- Participated in continuous training programs to stay current on best practices in instrument processing and infection control techniques.
- Assisted in training new employees on proper use of endoscopy equipment and techniques.
- Followed infection control guidelines diligently while handling contaminated equipment or specimens.
- Documented patient information in electronic medical records accurately and thoroughly.
- Sterilized and cleaned endoscopy instruments according to established protocols and guidelines.
- Participated in continuing education programs to stay current on best practices in the field of endoscopy technology.
- Prepare case carts for surgeries, ensuring inclusion of all necessary instruments for seamless operations.
- Trained new staff on sterilization protocols, ensuring compliance and safety.
- Work closely with medical teams to streamline endoscope turnaround times. Contribute to improved patient care through efficient processing.
- Propose and implement process improvements in endoscope handling, leading to enhanced efficiency and reduced contamination risks.
- Responsible for cleaning and decontamination of laparoscopic instruments to ensure safety and compliance.
- Performed assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of laparoscopic surgical instruments.
Hospital service technician
Memorial Hermann Hospital
Humble, Tx
12.2021 - 04.2023
- Sanitized medical equipment, ensuring patient safety and compliance with health standards.
- Managed and tracked daily inventory, maintaining optimal equipment levels across departments.
- Collaborated with medical staff to deliver requested equipment promptly, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Inspected equipment for maintenance needs, preventing downtime and ensuring reliability.
- Answered calls and placed orders for nurses, streamlining communication and support processes.
- Optimized equipment availability by efficiently managing daily inventory and maintenance schedules.
- Facilitated swift medical responses by equipping staff with necessary tools, boosting patient care.
- Performed thorough inspections to identify and address maintenance needs, reducing equipment failures.
- Ensure 100% compliance with sanitation protocols for medical equipment.
Education
CRCST certification -
Fortis institute
Houston, Tx02.2023
High school Diploma - undefined
Aldine High School
Houston, Tx05.2019
Skills
- Sterile technique expertise
- Surgical instrument knowledge
- Medical terminology familiarity
- Multitasking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Quality assurance
- Detail oriented
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Instrument sterilization
- Endoscope processing
- Staff training
- Assembling case carts
Languages
English Native
Spanish Native
Courses
CRCST CRCST
Timeline
Sterile Processing Technician
St Davids South Austin Medical Center
02.2026 - Current
sterile processing technician (travel contract)
St David’s Georgetown
11.2025 - 01.2026
Sterile Processing Technician (travel contract)
St Davids Medical Center
03.2025 - 10.2025
Sterile Processing Tech (travel contract)
St. David’s South Austin Medical center
07.2024 - 02.2025
Sterile processing tech, endoscope reprocessing
Memorial Hermann Hospital
06.2023 - 07.2024
Hospital service technician
Memorial Hermann Hospital
12.2021 - 04.2023
High school Diploma - undefined
Aldine High School
CRCST certification -
Fortis institute