Sterile Processing Tech (SPT)

Sterile Processing Technician

Depending on qualifications this position can be hired as SPD Tech 1 or 2.

The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for the proper care and handling of all general and specialty surgical instrumentation which includes cleaning, decontamination, identification, assembly, troubleshooting, packaging, distribution, and sterilization.

The Sterile Processing Tech II is responsible for all duties of tech 1 in addition to precepting new employees, taking on the responsibilities of a surgical specialty, including maintenance of inventory, instruments, and education in coordination with the Surgical Specialty Lead, and solves complicated problems between Sterile Processing and the Operating Room. The Sterile Processing Tech II may also be called upon to temporarily take the duties of a Lead Sterile Processing Tech when a Lead is not available.

This position's work location is on-site.

Responsibilities

Instrument Care

• Decontaminates, assembles, and packages all surgical instruments following established protocols.
• Inspects instrumentation for functionality and damage, and prepares order requests for instruments that need repair or replacement.
• Identifies instruments for various surgical specialties and follows manufacturers IFUs for proper processing.
• Operates autoclaves.
• Maintains biological and chemical wash solutions to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments and medical equipment, while maintaining a clean environment.

Administrative

• Maintains appropriate logs and records relative to the sterilization process, including sterilizer load records and biological monitoring records.
• Responds to problem calls from Operating Rooms and performs preliminary investigations.
• Restocks, labels, and maintains inventory, submits requisitions, collects and distributes instruments, trays, urology cart, and facility medical equipment.
• Determines priority level of instrumentation and equipment requests, may include preparing and delivering case carts with extreme accuracy.

Compliance/Safety

• Responsible for reporting any safety related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
• Assists with maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, and environmental and infection control standards.
• If required for position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.
• Completes all company mandatory modules and required job specific training in the specified time frame.
• Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employees area of responsibility.
• Safety: Responsible for reporting any work-related injury or exposure incident by the end of the shift on the day of occurrence using the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training; performs work in a safe manner, including proper hand hygiene and the appropriate donning/doffing of personal protective attire; ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and reports safety concerns to manager.

Tech II also includes:

• People Development: Precept new employees according to education and department standards.
• Responsible for a surgical specialty, including maintaining inventory, instrumentation, and education in conjunction with the Surgical Specialty Lead.
• Is the department liaison in problem-solving between Sterile Processing and the Operating Room.
• Provide support services for Lead Sterile Processing Techs, including prioritization, organization, and communication.
• Plays an active part in designing and enforcing policies and procedures relevant to Sterile Processing.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED- Required
• Graduation from an accredited Sterile Processing program or other higher education- Preferred

Certification & Licensures

• Tech I
  • CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician) – Required within 2 years from date of hire.
• Tech II
  • CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician - Required
  • Certification as an Instrument Specialist- Preferred
• All employees will obtain and maintain appropriate clinical competencies for the roles assigned by their departmental leader.

Experience

• Tech I
  • Recent experience as a Sterile Processing Tech or Surgical Tech- Preferred
• Tech II
  • Recent experience as a Sterile Processing Tech or Surgical Tech- Required
  • Education in healthcare field- Preferred

Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.