Sterile Processing Tech (SPT)

Sterile Processing Technician

The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for sterilization techniques and operations of equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrates principles of decontamination/sterilization.
• Correct use of personal protective equipment (gown, gloves, face mask, boots)
• Correctly sorts instrumentation for cleaning according to manufacturers specification.
• Correctly cleans CASE carts.
• Correctly inspects packages for integrity after sterilization.
• Demonstrates principles of sterilization.
• Correct use of biological and chemical sterilization indicators.
• Correctly sterilizes instrumentation according to manufacturers specifications.
• Accurately labels instrumentation.
• Correctly documents sterilizer loads and tests.
• Demonstrates knowledge of instruments and equipment.
• Correct assembly of instrumentation.
• Correctly tests instrumentation for optimal functioning.
• Notifies supervisor of broken and/or malfunctioning instrumentation and removes them from service.
• Correctly identifies specific department instrumentation ie. Surgery, obstetrics, and emergency services.
• Maintains daily inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, finds root cause of quality problems, owns/acts on quality problems.
• Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, stays focused under pressure, meets attendance/punctuality requirements.

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent required.

Work Experience

• Experience in sterile processing preferred

Certification/License

• Sterile Processing Technician certification to be obtained within 1 year of employment.

Mental/Physical Requirements

• Considerable mental concentration required to operate equipment and properly care for instruments and equipment. Standing, walking, lifting up to 35 lbs., reaching required.
• Mental and Emotional Requirements: Works in close proximity to others and/or in a distracting environment.

Working Conditions

• Exposed to wet and/or humid conditions during decontamination of instruments. Occasional exposure to temperature fluctuations, fumes, or airborne particles, exposure to communicable/infectious disease via contact with contaminated instruments and supplies. Must be able to work in a small, confined area for long periods of time.