Sterile Processing Technician

At Houston Methodist, the Sterile Processing Technician position is responsible for decontamination, assembly, inspection, wrapping, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for Surgical Services and all ancillary departments, which includes working in conjunction with the Operating Room (OR) staff to provide timely sterile products, trays, and case carts where applicable. The position maintains consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Central Service Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.

FLSA STATUS

Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Formal education through a Sterile Processing program preferred

EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Sterile Processing certification: CRCST or CSPDT within 1 year

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Independently demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Follows Universal Precautions by wearing the appropriate protective attire while working in the Decontamination area

• Exhibits interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Ability to utilize basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking system, if applicable

• Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries made to the department

• Maintains patient and family privacy

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communicates with staff from the interprofessional health care team concerning patient safety to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care through effective assignment and shift handoffs, using a structured format. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.

• Responds positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Makes contributions to the work effort as a whole and uses problem resolution effectively.

• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs decontamination and assembling of basic surgical trays, individual instrumentation and equipment utilizing established count sheets. Wraps or contains items appropriately according to size and type of instrument or equipment.

• Provides timely sterile products, trays and case carts, by location, by following guidance of experienced surgical techs, in conjunction with the OR staff.

• Sterilizes instruments and surgical trays by following prescribed manufacturer instructions for use and according to institutional policies and procedures.

• Organizes workload utilizing available work time by assisting others and performing additional task as needed. Provides consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes appropriate cleaning detergents and agents by reading directions and SDS sheets.

• Utilizes all department equipment according to manufacturers’ instructions for use and department policies and protocols.

• Ensures through visual inspection that trays have completed the quality process according to AAMI standards for patient use.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, cleaning the workstation at the end of each shift, and minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

• Uses department resources efficiently to ensure completeness of trays, instruments and equipment according to count sheets; does not waste supplies.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Understands, applies, and demonstrates industry Sterile Processing standards, i.e., Steam, ETO and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide.

• Participates in department projects and Shared Governance committee for department. Follow up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments.

• Identifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts, and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the Individual Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: Yes

• Scrubs: Yes

• Business professional: No

• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL *

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL **

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Formal education through a Sterile Processing program preferred

EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Sterile Processing certification: CRCST or CSPDT within 1 year

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017. This 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center; Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services; wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower — a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women’s services, and provided nine operating rooms. The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.