SENIOR CENTRAL SERVICES TECHNICIAN (PM)

Senior Central Services Technician (PM)

The Senior Central Service Technician performs all duties to include providing sterile instrumentation and trays to the Department of Surgery and other hospital departments. The position will work under the direction of the Sterile Processing Manager to assist with the coordination and implementation of surgical instrument processing and work flow. The position will also work with the medical and nursing staff to assure the operating room has the necessary instrumentation so that the surgical cases operate efficiently and on time. Acts as the liaison when the manager/supervisor's is not available to make the appropriate decisions for the good of the department. Shift - 2:00pm-10:30pm

Essential Job Functions include decontaminating and inspecting surgical instruments, wearing protective attire, checking detergent levels, visually inspecting instruments and trays, using tongs or forceps to remove instruments, inserting proper sized brushes to clean channels of cannulated instrumentation, choosing proper decontamination equipment, arranging instruments trays and basins to facilitate proper cleaning, selecting proper cycles, cleaning and decontaminating reusable patient equipment, cleaning all surfaces with approved equipment, inspecting electrical cords for graying or other safety hazards, ensuring component parts are returned with equipment, removing any damaged equipment or equipment requiring safety checks from use, reassembling equipment and placing in proper storage area, assembling instrument trays, visually examining instruments for remaining debris, visually examining instruments for functionality, arranging instruments to allow sterilant penetration, ensuring instrument tray is complete, wrapping instrument tray or placing instruments in proper sterilization container, using proper size and type of sterilization wrap, inserting chemical indicator/integrator in tray, performing proper wrapping and taping technique, recording pertinent information on autoclavable tape/form, placing paper filter properly in sterilization container, affixing load sticker to wrapped tray or container, operating sterilizers per department procedure, loading sterilizer rack in manner to allow sterilant penetration and moisture removal, recording load contents on sterilizer card/form, placing biological indicator in required sterilizer loads, examining sterilizer printout to ensure mechanical parameters of sterilization are met, signing full name to sterilizer printout, allowing adequate time for proper cooling of sterilizer contents prior to removal from chamber, unloading sterilizer contents and placing in proper storage area, performing biological monitoring and recordkeeping of sterilization cycles (steam, eto, sterrad), interpreting and logging biological results in a timely manner, if applicable, recording information on Implantable Load Form and returning form to Department of Surgery, maintaining inventory control (linen, supplies), assuring adequate stock is maintained, placing increase/decrease orders to linen room staff, stocking re-usable linen in appropriate location, placing orders for stock and non-stock supplies, retrieving soiled/used equipment and instruments per established schedule (minimum 3 times daily), conducting Steris System I E diagnostic test daily as appropriate, testing unit in SPD, completing and maintaining record, preparing loan/consign instruments, receiving/documenting items, inspecting/decontaminated instruments, assembling appropriate instrumentation, sterilizing/delivering to OR for use, delivering additional trays and supplies to O.R., performing housekeeping functions - keeps area neat and organized, retrieving soiled carts/instruments following the procedures from the OR, using proper etiquette when answering phones, cleaning sterilizer chambers and carts on weekends.

Specialty Essential Functions include assisting Manager/supervisor with staff development, assisting in coordinating the functions of the Continuous Improvement Board, assuring orientation and competency files are complete and organized, educating staff on any new instrumentation or procedures, maintaining a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care, communicating pertinent information for interdisciplinary patient care conferences, shift reports, reporting changes in the OR schedule, including the need to reassess the needs of the physicians & the OR staff, conferring with the OR CNC when there is a need to alert the physician, participating in the unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services, assisting in data collection process as requested, recommending modifications for performance improvement, assisting Manager with daily functions of the department, reviewing daily sterilization and biological logs for accuracy, assigning a staff member to be responsible for coordinating instrumentation for surgical cases daily, assisting in coordinating the staffing schedule including communication and posting of schedule, working side by side with the Manager/supervisor of Central Service on developing policies and procedures, assisting manager/supervisor with related human resource functions as needed, assisting manager/supervisor by providing input on staff performance for periodic performance reviews, being a liaison for the department in the manager's/supervisor's absence, demonstrating leadership abilities by utilizing the concepts inherent to the practice of credo standards, demonstrating an ability to solve problems independently and seeks assistance form immediate supervisor when appropriate, maintaining accountability for actions taken, effectively functioning as a resource person, acting as a patient advocate, performing effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students, assisting in the department's compliance with State, JCAHO, OSHA and other regulatory agencies, participating in preparation for continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys/, adhering to the infection control process, including universal precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections, conducting Steris System I E diagnostic test daily as appropriate, testing unit in SPD, completing and maintaining records, preparing loan/consign instruments, receiving/documenting items, inspecting/decontaminated instruments, assembling appropriate instrumentation, sterilizing/delivering to OR for use, assuming staffing responsibility (add or reduce according to OR schedule), creating staff time schedules where applicable, delivering additional trays and supplies to O.R., performing housekeeping functions - keeps area neat and organized, retrieving soiled carts/instruments following the procedures from the OR, using proper etiquette when answering phones, cleaning sterilizer chambers and carts on weekends, other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications include a High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education, one (1) to three (3) years' experience in Surgical/or Central Service, strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

License, Certification & Clearances include currently holding one of the following certifications: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or International Association for HealthCare Central Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM), Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system, Act 81 Compliance.

Preferred Qualifications include expert knowledge in sterile processing, surgical instruments and sterile technique. Certified Registered Central Service Tech (CRCST) through the International Association for Healthcare Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM) or Certified Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).