Sterile Processing Technician I

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Sterile Processing Technician I is responsible for the cleaning, decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instrumentation, patient equipment, and supplies for surgical procedures and patient care. Follows basic safety standards when working with environmental, physical, mechanical, electrical, chemical and biological hazards. Enters and maintains accurate data for the departments computerized instrument tracking system.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Uses established policies and procedures to perform cleaning and decontamination processes by which contaminated reusable instruments and equipment are rendered safe for handling by department personnel. Appropriate equipment, methods, and chemicals are used to perform these processes.

3. *Operates and displays competencies related to departmental equipment (777, Hamo, Sonic, Cart Washer, Sterilizers--Steam, Sterrad, ETO-- Incubators, and Heat Sealers) in strict accordance with manufacturer recommendations and department policies and procedures; reports any suspected equipment malfunctions to management.

4. *Follows safe work practices and personal protective measures; knows how to obtain MSDS information.

5. *Generates a content list to accurately prepare sets; inspects each instrument for cleanliness and good working condition; assembles instruments when required; includes the appropriate chemical indicator to verify the item has been exposed to one or more sterilizing conditions; chooses the appropriate packaging material to maintain sterility.

6. *Restocks instrument sets with designated levels of Orthopedic Implants.

7. *Reviews the surgery schedule to assure preference lists are developed and implemented for each surgical case; completes case cart tags for each surgical case; pulls the supplies and instruments using the printed surgeon preference list; scans bar coded sets to the case cart; logs case cart number on dispatch list and sends cart to surgery.

8. *Practices Universal Precautions to avoid or reduce personal exposure to blood and body fluids; understands and follows basic written safety standards related to environmental, physical, mechanical, electrical, chemical and biological standards.

9. *Inspects, folds, prepares, sterilizes and stores surgical linen.

10. *Loads the sterilizer rack correctly to ensure proper sterilization; scans/loads items and prints load content sheet; selects cycle (per computer prompts and temperature/exposure charts) and verifies parameters are correct for loaded items per manufacturer's recommendations.

11. *Unloads sterilized items using proper technique; checks chemical indicator to ensure sterilization has occurred.

12. *Verifies that all parameters have been met on the Steam, Sterrad, and ETO sterilizer cycles; performs appropriate biological monitoring on the Steam, Sterrad, and ETO sterilizers; incubates and records the results of the tests performed; initiates a recall process for a positive biological.

13. *Inventories and restocks specialty carts with sterile disposable supplies and instrumentation; places orders for supplies as needed.

14. Sets up overhead traction on patient care bed as requested.

15. Participates in department meetings and project groups as requested.

16. Utilizes quality improvement practices to meet or exceed customer expectations.

17. *Performs departmental cleaning.

18. Advances work knowledge by participating in continuing education opportunities, reading periodicals/literature and seeking ongoing development opportunities.

19. Uses the Microsystem (SPM) computerized instrument tracking system.

20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of sterile processing methods and processes including relevant safety and regulatory practices.

2. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

3. Skill in the operation of applicable sterile processing and departmental equipment.

4. Skill to properly handle fragile and expensive hospital and patient equipment and instruments.

5. Ability to read, comprehend and carry out detailed written procedures.

6. Ability to identify and care for large numbers of surgical instruments and sterilization processes.

7. Ability to prioritize work demands.

8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental and other hospital employees.

9. Ability to effectively react and perform work under stressful and emergent situations.

10. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or equivalency required. Prior Sterile Processing or applicable hospital experience preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.