CENTRAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Central Service Technician

*** Sign On Bonus Eligible ***

Job Summary

The Central Service Technician performs a wide array of duties to provide sterile instrumentation and trays to the Department of Surgery and other Hospital departments. The Technician works under the direction of the Senior Technician for Central Services or Operating Room Management.

Essential Job Functions

• Decontaminates and inspects surgical instruments
• Transports Equipment and Supplies as needed between departments
• Maintains equipment as per manufacturers instructions (eq. Checks detergent level per shift)
• Visually inspects instruments and trays to determine if pre-soaking is indicated
• Uses tongs or forceps to remove instruments from basins
• Inserts proper sized brush to clean channels of cannulated instrumentation
• Chooses proper decontamination equipment per manufacturers or OneSouce Documents instructions
• Arranges instruments, trays, and basins to facilitate proper cleaning
• Selects proper cycle per manufacturers or OneSouce Documents instructions
• Cleans and decontaminates reusable patient equipment
• Cleans all surfaces with approved solution
• Inspects electrical cords for fraying or other safety hazards
• Ensures component parts are returned with equipment
• Removes any damaged equipment requiring safety checks for use
• Reassembles equipment and places in proper storage area
• Assembles instrument trays
• Visually examines instruments for remaining debris
• Visually examines instruments for functionality
• Arranges instruments to allow sterilant penetration
• Ensures instrument tray in complete
• Order instruments as needed
• Tape instruments
• Wraps instrument tray or places instruments in proper sterilization container
• Uses proper size and type of sterilization wrap
• Inserts chemical indicator/integrator in tray
• Performs proper wrapping and taping technique
• Records pertinent information on autoclavable tape/form
• Places paper filter properly in sterilization container
• Affixes load sticker to wrapped tray or container
• Prepares all rerun instruments for day
• Operates sterilizers per department procedure
• Loads sterilizer rack in manner to allow sterilant penetration and moisture removal
• Records load contents on sterilizer card/form
• Places biological indicator in required sterilizer loads
• Selects proper cycle per manufacturers or OneSouce Documents instructions
• Examines sterilizer printout to ensure mechanical parameters of sterilization are met
• Signs full name to sterilizer printout
• Allows adequate time for proper cooling of sterilizer contents prior to removal from chamber
• Unloads sterilizer contents and places in proper storage area
• Performs biological monitoring and recordkeeping of sterilization cycles (steam, eto, sterrad)
• Interprets and logs biological results in a timely manner
• If applicable, records information on Implantable Load Form and returns form to Department of Surgery
• Organizes all paperwork daily for end of month or other regulatory reporting
• Manually cleans case carts after use
• Places cart on hydraulic lift (where applicable by location)
• Cleans interior and exterior sections of cart with approved solution
• Transports clean carts and instruments as needed between departments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specialty Functions

• Maintains re-usable linen inventory in departments.
• Assures adequate stock is maintained
• Places increase/decrease orders to linen room staff.
• Puts line away
• Stocks warmer
• Conducts soiled pick-up rounds throughout the hospital as appropriate.
• Retrieves soiled/used equipment and instruments per established schedule [Minimum 3 times daily]
• Conducts Steris System IE biological testing for SPD on a daily basis
• Tests unit in SPD
• Completes and maintains records
• Prepares loan/consign instruments.
• Receives/documents items.
• Inspects/decontaminated instruments.
• Assembles appropriate instrumentation.
• Sterilizes/delivers to OR for use.
• Delivers additional trays and supplies to O.R.
• Performs housekeeping functions - keeps area neat and organized.
• Retrieves soiled carts/instruments following the procedures from both the OR and Labor and Delivery
• Uses proper etiquette when answering phones
• Cleans sterilizer chambers and carts as set forth in policy
• Cases
• Pick cases including add ons
• Fill all needs on carts
• Organize case supplies and equipment for use by the OR Circulator and Technician
• Scopes
• Reprocess and store all assigned scopes as per manufacturers instructions These will include but may not be limited to gastroscopes, colonoscopies, bronchoscopes & other flexible or ridge scopes used within the Hospital.
• Transportation
• Transport patients
• Obtain blood as needed
• Transportation of needed items across the hospital These will include but may not be limited to specimens to main lab, frozen section lab, radiology, medications from pharmacy or other case sensitive items as needed.
• Follow chain of care for communication of issues

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED or next level of higher education.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1)- three (3) years of Central Service experience.
• CRCST and/or a Surgical Technician background.

License, Certification & Clearances

• As of September 1, 2017, any new or transferred employee must currently hold or obtain within 18 months of employment one of the following certifications: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or HealthCare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
• Act 81 Compliance.
• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health System locations.

LEAN

• Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one's own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Independence Health System missions, vision and values.

AAP/EEO

• Independence Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Independence Health System to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health System Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

House Bill 81 of 2019 The Central Service Technician and Surgical Technologist Regulation ActEnacted 10/29/2020