Sterile Processing Technician

Instrument Technician

The Instrument Technician is responsible for the care and preparation of surgical instruments and supplies. The technician maintains established inventory levels by checking supplies and equipment. Orders supplies for the area. The technician performs the appropriate testing of all sterilizers and keeps accurate records.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities:

• Communicates openly, directly, tactfully and effectively.
• Appreciates and respects other's needs, opinions, and concerns
• Conducts self courteously and professionally in all interaction with physicians, patients, patient's families, visitors, members of the public and co-workers. Demonstrates sincere concern for the needs of all customers
• Demonstrates knowledge and compliance of Patient Rights, including patient confidentiality. Respects patient privacy.
• Resolves interpersonal conflicts independently and positively, being sensitive to the needs of all customers. Seeks appropriate assistance when necessary to resolve interpersonal conflicts.
• Submits documentation of required current certification in a timely manner.
• Willingly participates in cross training activities for professional growth and in order to contribute to the overall function of the Center.
• Actively participates in activities such as staff meetings, serving on committees, assisting with performance improvement and accepting special projects.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, reads and returns all monthly staff meeting minutes in a timely manner.
• Assumes responsibility for updating knowledge of current policies and procedures, protocol and practices.
• Functions within scope of practice based on education, skills and experience. Recognizes own limitations and asks for guidance when necessary.
• Participates in the orientation or preceptorship of newly hired or transferred employees. Serves as a positive role model.
• Demonstrates satisfactory attendance record.
• Demonstrates punctuality by reporting to work on time.
• Utilizes appropriate procedures when reporting inability to report to work as scheduled or inability to report to work on time.
• Takes full responsibility for all functions within job description and assures that all functions are completed before leaving at the end of the day. Communicates effectively where follow-up is needed.
• Adheres to dress code. (Includes wearing name tag)
• Consistently maintains respect for the physical plant, property, equipment and supplies. Reports problems/needs timely and appropriately.
• Demonstrates the ability and flexibility to recognize and accept changing conditions while continuing to perform to the best of one's ability. Promotes a positive attitude with the team.
• Maintains orderly education file and keeps current all mandatory educational requirements.
• Demonstrates understanding of the principles of growth and development of the life span and the ability to interpret and to provide the care/service to each patient=s age specific needs
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill requirements regarding his/her role in the Safety Management Program (Safety/Security), Infection Control, Hazardous Materials, Emergency Preparedness, Life Safety, Medical Equipment and Utility Systems, and his/her expected level of participation. Submits documentation of annual updates.
• Is able to explain the Fire Plan.
• Explains the departments' role in an internal/external disaster.
• Identifies hazardous materials in immediate work area and demonstrates knowledge of SDS sheets.
• Identifies and report hazardous working conditions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic infection control precautions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of how to report equipment malfunctions.
• Identifies when and how to complete an incident report form. Consistently adheres to established policy and procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of how/what types of utility problems are reported.
• Explains the steps in notifying the appropriate personnel when potential or real security risks occur.
• Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning of OR suites before and between cases and after terminal case cleaning.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of instrument processing, sterilization and biological monitoring. Actively participates in instrument processing.
• Utilizes appropriate personal protective gear.
• Participates in Center wide performance improvement activities.
• Demonstrates appropriate information release to the customer served.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and employee information in accordance with standards.
• Assists with room turnover of cases by following the progress of the schedule.
• Helps to remove dirty instruments from rooms and reprocess in a timely manner.
• Cleans, lubricates, disinfects and handles instruments and equipment according to the standards.
• Assembles instruments into sets or individual packages according to defined set components.
• Handles instruments correctly and checks for proper working condition.
• Packages items in appropriate wrappings or containers utilizing manufacturers' recommendations. Labels correctly according to the contents.
• Consults with other staff members when in question or unfamiliar with equipment or procedure.
• Communicates to Clinical Director any items that are missing or not functioning properly.
• Sterilizes items using the proper method. Uses and places the sterilization indicators in the appropriate place.
• Performs biological and air removal testing. Records results.
• Understands and can effectively use all equipment in processing areas.
• Maintains adequate but cost-effective inventory of supplies for processing area.
• Checks sterile supplies and submits order or reports shortages to Nurse Manager.
• Unpacks, checks in and stores supplies delivered to Center.
• Rotates supplies. Handles sterile supplies and equipment carefully.
• Keeps work area clean, neat and organized.
• Remains flexible in staffing patterns and resolution of staffing conflicts
• Maintains awareness of posted time schedules and creates personal mechanism to remain up to date with changes.
• Follows established procedure for schedule changes.
• Demonstrates flexibility in requesting time changes.
• Communicates with management when staffing assistance is required; if help is not available, assists to adjust assignments and set priorities.

Requirements

Education And Experience:

High School graduate or equivalent.

Instrument technician experience, 2 years or equivalent experience in hospital materials management department.

Required License And Certification:

No license required.

Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:

Knowledge of standard precautions, aseptic technique and principles of sterilization and instrument handling.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Additional languages preferred.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Participates in opportunities of continuing education.

Demonstrates the ability to utilize recognized channels of communication.

Demonstrates the ability to maintain good interpersonal relationships with patients, coworkers, and other health team members.

Physical Demands:

Standing: 66-100%

Sitting: 0-33%

Walking: 34-66%

Lifting: 0-50 lbs as needed

Carrying: 0-25 lbs as needed

Pushing: 0-400 lbs on wheels with assistance

Climbing: 1-5 flights of stairs as necessary

Pulling: Rarely

Bending: Proper bending as necessary to pick things off the floor

Squatting: Rarely

Rotating: Shoulders as necessary

Crawling: None

Kneeling:

Rarely

Reaching: Overhead as necessary but limited.

General comments: Visual and hearing senses must be adequate to communicate, read printout