Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Department Technician

This position is responsible for ensuring that all surgical supplies, instruments and equipment are properly inventoried, decontaminated, assembled, inspected, packaged, sterilized, stored, distributed, and tracked in a quality/timely manner throughout the hospital and its affiliates. Works independently with little supervision. Qualified to train others. Adheres to established departmental and organizational processes, procedures, and policies. Strives for superior performance by consistently providing a product or service to leadership and staff that is recognized as ultimately contributing to the patient and family experience. Recognizes and demonstrates understanding of patient and family centered care.

Primary Job Responsibilities

1. Performs duties as a SPD Tech independently, works proficiently without supervision and helps train new employees:
2. Identifies and uses appropriate methods and solutions to sort, disassemble, decontaminate, rinse and disinfect instruments and clinical equipment. Operates and troubleshoots cleaning equipment.
3. Appropriately handles garbage, linen and biohazardous materials.
4. Maintains safety standards.
5. Consistently uses count sheets to correctly assemble, protect, wrap, containerize and/or peel package and label instruments. Identifies and inspects instruments for cleanliness and functionality.
6. Properly handles and stores sterile supplies, equipment and instruments.
7. Selects appropriate sterilization methods.
8. Knows and follows correct principles of sterilization.
9. Properly documents and verifies sterilization loads and biological tests to determine the efficacy of the sterilization process.
10. Retrieves, disburses and tracks medical and surgical supplies and equipment to the customer in a quality/timely manner.
11. Knows uses, maintains and operates the equipment specific to Sterile Processing, i.e. steam. Sterrad, Medivator, cart washer, instrument washer/disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners and heat sealers as well as a variety of testing devices.
12. Knows and uses the processes involved in ordering, receiving, stocking, rotating delivering and monitoring usage of surgical supplies.
13. Communicates supply issues to appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
14. Maintains a clean orderly work area. Completes assigned housekeeping duties.
15. Demonstrates knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, customer service standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

Departmental and Additional Job Responsibilities

1. Tracks progress and compliance in regard to training, staff meeting, and in-service education.
2. Other duties as assigned

Job Specifications

Education

1. High school diploma or GED equivalent.
2. Has successfully passed an approved Sterile Processing Course or willing to complete within 1 year of hire.

Experience

1. Experience is preferred, but on the job training will be provided.

Essential Physical Abilities/Motor Skills

1. Sedentary Work: Frequently required to stand, kneel and crouch. On a daily basis may be required to move about, sit, climb stairs and bend. Is frequently required to lift and carry up to 20 lbs. May be required to push/pull/carry items between 20-100 lbs.
2. Vision: Requires the ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye. Near acuity: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Midrange Acuity: Clarity of vision at distances of more than 20 inches and less than 20 feet.
3. Motor Coordination: While performing the duties of the job, it is required to regularly perform functions that include using hand and finger movement, handle or feel objects, be able to use tools or equipment that requires reaching with hands and arms. Must be able to travel independently throughout the hospital; access patients/families including areas confined by space and/or equipment.
4. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Essential Technical Abilities

1. Proficiency using modern office, computer and telephone equipment as used by Memorial Healthcare.

Essential Mental Abilities

1. Ability to adapt and maintain focus in fast paced, quickly changing or stressful situations.
2. Ability to read and interpret a variety of documents including, but not limited to policies, operating instructions, white papers, regulations, rules and laws.

Essential Sensory Requirements

1. Able to see for the purpose of reading information received in formats including but not limited to paper, computer, reports, bulletins, updates, manuals.
2. Able to hear for work-related purposes.

Interpersonal Skills

1. Ability to interact with co-workers, hospital staff, administration, patients, physicians, the public and all internal and external customers in a professional and effective, courteous and tactful manner, at all times, physically, verbally and in all written and electronic communication.
2. Required to remain calm when adversity is encountered.
3. Open, honest, and tactful communication skills.
4. Ability to work as a team member in all activities.
5. Positive, cooperative and motivated attitude.