Central Sterile Technician

Job Title

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Job Description

The Central Sterile Technician provides sterilization of reusable medical instruments and supplies utilized by the Operation Room, Emergency Department, various nursing and ancillary departments throughout the hospital as well as physicians' offices within the community.

Responsibilities:

1. Maintains cleanliness and/or sterility of work area, equipment, and instruments according to department procedures.

a. Cleans work area and equipment after use.

b. Manually cleans soiled instruments and equipment as needed prior to sterilization.

c. Wears proper attire in relation to dirty, clean or sterile areas of department.

· A clear division of dirty, clean and sterile is maintained at all times as apparent by visual inspection of department, equipment and use of proper attire by staff.

2. Operates various equipment utilized in the preparation of instrument sterilization.

. Prepares equipment used for the purpose of sterilization properly before use.

a. Programs equipment properly before use.

b. Makes any needed adjustment to equipment during operation.

c. Operates equipment correctly following all safety rules.

· Equipment is prepared daily and operated properly in a safe manner to achieve accuracy resulting in the delivery of safe items for patient use as evidenced by test results within normal limits.

3. Monitors sterilization equipment daily to ensure accuracy of tests and procedures.

. Conducts and interprets control values to ensure that results are within normal limits.

a. Reports malfunctions promptly to ensure that equipment is repaired and available as needed.

b. Maintains daily records of all tests performed.

c. Prepares a monthly report of all tests, performed in which one copy is filed in the department and one copy is forwarded to Infection Control.

· Equipment is monitored daily to ensure that it is functioning at an acceptable level to produce properly sterilized instruments for patient use as evidenced by the contents of corresponding reports generated by staff.

4. Compiles, records, maintains and files information pertaining to all items received and processed.

. Provides proper paperwork to requesting departments.

a. Ensures requisitions are completed properly.

b. Maintains concise records of all items processed.

· Records are compiled and completed accurately and filed for easy access for future reference to meet JCAHO and OSHA requirements and standards.

5. Organizes own work activities to ensure their proper completion in a timely manner.

. Schedules own time effectively by assigning priority to daily, weekly, or monthly work activities.

a. Avoids crisis through systematic planning, follow-through and communication.

· All work is processed and completed in a timely and efficient manner to meet the needs of the requesting department(s).

6. Inventories work area for needed supplies.

. Visually inspects storage areas for needed supplies on a regular basis.

a. Prepares storeroom requisition for needed supplies or alerts the Central Services Manager for supplies needed from an outside vendor.

· Supplies are maintained at levels adequate enough to meet requirements of daily activities as well as emergency situations.

7. Transports instrument carts to destination.

. Transports to correct destination.

a. Transports carts safely.

· Instrument carts are transported in a manner which adheres to safety rules

Operating room, nursing areas and patients are served by providing sterilization of needed instruments and supplies in a timely manner.

Qualifications

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

High School graduate required. CNA or Surgical Technician preferred.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

None

LICENSURE/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION

Certification as a Nursing Assistant or Surgical Technician preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

Simple mathematical skills, basic writing skills, effective communication skills, and manual dexterity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Exposure to blood/body fluids. Potential for exposure to ETO (Ethylene Oxide).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

Standing, bending, lifting, pushing and pulling heavy equipment.

Job Details

Legal Employer: Lenoir Health

Entity: UNC Lenoir Health Care

Organization Unit: Sterile Processing

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: LENOIR MEM

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.