Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Technician I

The Sterile Processing Technician I is responsible for properly decontaminating, assembling, and sterilizing medical equipment and instruments in order to comply with safety standards and provide quality patient care.

Essential Job Function:

• Support team members with disassembling, assembling, packaging and sterilization as needed.
• Has comprehensive knowledge of disassembling, assembling, packaging and sterilization.
• Exhibits knowledge in determining the methods to be used to care for instruments: hand washing, mechanical washing, or high-level disinfection, especially in the removal of protein and corrosion and in the sorting for repair.
• Supports team members to ensure appropriate cleaning of mobile patient equipment.
• Inspects important points in instruments and equipment to ensure they are functioning properly and there is no damage.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the function and operation of the decontamination equipment for optimum cleaning, loading, temperature and troubleshooting if malfunctions.
• Monitors quality control and identifies quality problems and proactively corrects them prior to the product leaving the department.
• Performs biological monitoring to ensure quality and efficacy of the sterilization equipment.
• Ensures all instruments and decontamination equipment are tested for bioburden residual.
• Participates in a proactive quality assurance program randomly audits sample trays following established protocol documenting failures to ensure quality on the end product.
• Ensures that all records and documentation are properly compiled and maintained (such as sterilization records, temperature recording, etc.).
• Demonstrates the ability to perform and interpret efficacy test results for the sterilization process, high-level disinfection, and washer decontaminators.
• Understand protocols for releasing instrumentation after sterilization and complete all required tests and documentation before a tray is released for use.
• Follows up if there are variations in the process.
• Accurately fills supply requests from the procedural areas and ensures items ordered are delivered speedily to the correct unit.
• Actively participates in maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, and environmental and infection control standards.
• Proactively works with team and other departments to ensure effective and efficient patient care.
• Demonstrates flexibility in thinking and actions, understanding team dynamics.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education:

• Required: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Associate Degree.

Experience:

• Preferred: Six months of experience in a hospital environment or sterile processing department.