Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Technician

Join a mission-driven community health center dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to diverse and underserved populations. As a Sterile Processing Technician supporting our dental clinic and ambulatory medical procedures, you will play a vital role in ensuring safe, reliable patient care by maintaining the highest standards of instrument processing and infection controlwhile enjoying a predictable daytime schedule with no nights or weekends.

Working closely with the Nurse Manager and clinical team, you will help create a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for both patients and staff, contributing directly to our commitment to equitable healthcare access.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Performs all aspects of daily work in a manner which contributes to and ensures an environment of patient safety.
• Prepares supplies and equipment needed for patient care while following standards for labeling of packages and containers.
• Collaborates with department floor leads to maintain adequate par levels of instruments, both common stock and special order items, in a cost-effective manner.
• Assembles and packages instruments for sterilization following practice that is in compliance with JC, AORN, AAMI, and APIC standards.
• Performs decontamination procedures according to prescribed specifications in a safe and cost-effective manner. Prewashes and disassembles instruments for processing according to manufacturer's guidelines.
• Addresses damage/repair of instruments upon arrival into decontamination area and reports activities to the Operations Coordinator. Reports equipment malfunctions to the Operations Coordinator.
• Responsible for monitoring all of the sterilization processes that affect the achievement of sterilitythe mechanical, chemical, and biological tests, as well as procedures for traceability.
• Operates ultrasonic, washer-disinfector, and steam autoclave and performs weekly and monthly checks and sanitizing as appropriate.
• Performs and documents routine safety checks and cleaning of equipment in appropriate logs. Properly maintains all equipment and keeps work area clean and orderly.
• Correctly packages and wraps supplies and instruments.
• Inspect instruments prior to distribution on the floors/sites for function, defects, cleanliness, and overall condition.
• Assists in other areas of the department and performs additional duties as necessary.
• Maintains adequate documentation on logs for sterilizers, washers, spore testing, and biological and chemical tests.
• Responsible for the efficient supply, storage, maintenance, and adequate disinfection at the point of use of all instruments used in all clinic sites/areas.
• Assists with training and orientation of new staff in proper sterilization as appropriate.
• Supports and monitors sterile processing and disinfection activities performed by cross-trained staff in other departments to ensure adherence to established standards and workflows

Additional Performance Requirements:

• Effectively communicates with patients, co-workers on medical team, in medical department and across departments
• Ability to read and write in English in order to understand basic safety instructions.
• Demonstrates competency in written, oral, and electronic communication
• Identifies disinfection or instrument concerns that require quick intervention and promptly notifies Operations Coordinator. Informs Operations Coordinator of training needs.
• Assists in training other employees in the medical support department
• Maintains familiarity with Fenway Health policies and procedures
• Adheres to medical department standards for attendance and professional dress
• Helps maintain a patient centered, professional work environment
• Provides age-specific care per Fenway Health policy
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives
• Meets Agency Participatory Expectations
• Suggests and participates in continuing quality improvement efforts
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
• Attends and participates in regularly scheduled staff meetings, in-services, and professional trainings
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
• Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested
• Performs related duties as required

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Vocational or Technical training in central processing
• Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST) and/or Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician (CSPDT) or ability to become certified within 1 year of hire date.
• Willingness to work any shift FH is open as needed, including evenings, for coverage purposes
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. This includes engaging constructively with colleagues, patients, clients, and vendors in a manner that reflects professionalism, empathy, and cultural awareness, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristics as defined by applicable law.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1 year of related work experience
• Experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse work staff
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Able to work autonomously while exercising safe judgment and decision-making
• Responds in a positive manner to constructive criticism
• Effective skills in the areas of service, teamwork, communication, respect for others, and time/priority management
• Able to multitask and function in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to deal effectively with stress relating to the changing organizational, personnel, and healthcare environment

This is a union position in a Fenway Health bargaining unit represented by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more. LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.