Certified Sterile Processing Technician

Certified Sterile Processing Technician

Join Cleveland Clinic Akron General where we have been providing world-class care to the community for over 100 years. At Akron General, you will work and learn from some of the best caregivers, provide and receive multitudes of support and appreciation, and create the steppingstones toward a rewarding career with one of the world's most respected healthcare organizations. We strive for patient-centered care and comfort, and we are committed to serving the community and treating our patients as family.

As a Certified Sterile Processing Technician, you will play a key role in how our operating rooms care for our patients as a whole team relies on you to successfully set up the operating room. Certified Sterile Processing Technicians receive ample support, training and education, including learning how to operate the latest, state-of-the-art processing equipment and using the newest sterilization tools and concepts.

A caregiver in this position works days from 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with rotating weekend and holiday requirements after completion of training.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Follow daily assignments as outlined on the shift assignment sheet and exhibit flexibility when asked to change assignments as needed.
• Function independently in all areas of the Sterile Processing Department and portions of the Surgical Suite (decontamination, assembly area-sterilizing (prep and pack), house table and OR instrumentation, sterile storage, runner role, case cart Picking, pack room and equipment testing).
• Collect and clean instruments and equipment after use on patient procedures.
• Perform specialized cleaning for robotic instrumentation, take-a-part instrumentation, specialty Scopes, light cords, cameras and a variety of specialized instrumentation.
• Operate specialized equipment such as cavi-wave ultrasonic cleaning unit, washers and a variety of sterilizers (Steam, Vpro (low temp) and Ethylene Oxide).
• Inspect equipment and instrumentation for malfunction and/or missing parts and report same to Sterile Processing management.
• Assemble instruments and equipment according to departmental standards/guidelines and use the daily Production Screen and Key Supply List and Cart/Tray Markers as directed.
• Wrap and/or place in sterion containers, equipment or instruments needing sterilization.
• Sterilize equipment/instruments using all methods of sterilization and high-level disinfection available in the Sterile Processing/OR department and complete the appropriate documentation required for the sterilization procedure.
• Function in Central Distribution on night shift for distribution of emergency supply needs.
• Assist in maintaining an adequate inventory of instruments, equipment and supplies.
• Meet the sterile instrumentation needs for the Surgery Department as well as on-site and off-site users that require sterile instrumentation.
• Work with vendor loaned trays to ensure proper cleaning and sterilization of these specialized trays.
• Perform sterility checks by validating biological results on implant items.
• Perform sterility checks when in a runner role, stocking instrumentation, picking case carts and taking items to the surgical suite as requested.
• Perform daily cleaning and stocking of work areas.
• Provide individual operating rooms with equipment/instrumentation as requested.
• Attend and achieve 100% attendance at all mandatory in-service programs, both departmental and hospital wide.
• Act as a preceptor.
• Work on Sterile Processing Department committees.
• Complete all mandatory competencies.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Un-expired Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certified Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations
• Ability to perform basic computer functions
• Demonstrated proficiency with instrumentation tracking systems

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Sterile Processing experience
• Surgical Technician experience
• Customer service or hospital experience
• Working knowledge of Operating Room (OR) instrumentation

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform duties while standing, sitting, stooping, and reaching for prolonged periods of time. Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and carry items weighing 25 pounds on a continual basis; ability to push, pull, and navigate carts weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Possible exposure to biological and chemical contamination.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform basic functions of position day to day instrument counting, sorting and assembly. Requires corrected hearing and vision to normal range.
• Must be able to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors to utilize color-coded systems used for instrument identification. All applicants will be required to be prescreened for color blindness by our Occupational Health Department.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.

If applying for a Florida position, please see the following website for more information on the background screening requirements required by the Agency of Health Care Administration:

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.