Sterile Processing Tech I, UofL Hospital, 8a-5p

Job Title

Demonstrates an understanding of policies, procedures and regulatory requirements and builds continued competency in order to work independently in the decontamination, sterilization, and sterile storage activities of the department.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining an adequate level of instruments necessary for the efficient functioning of customer departments, understanding the equipment and chemicals used in reprocessing reusable instruments and equipment and the ability to use knowledge to implement appropriate processes in a safe and timely manner to include handling and decontamination of soiled instrument, inspection, assembly, packaging and sterilization. Required to provide preceptor support to other employees. Techs are expected to build and maintain a comprehensive body of knowledge with respect to the standards and procedures associated with the preparation, sterilization, storage, and delivery of surgical instrumentation per Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Associates of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), and CDC guidelines.

Essential Functions:

• Answers telephone promptly and assist caller with obtaining items needed
• Assembles supplies and places into case carts for scheduled and non-scheduled procedures
• Makes rounds throughout the hospital to deliver sterile and non-sterile instrumentation, supplies and equipment, and to pick-up contaminated or credit instrumentation, supplies and equipment
• Delivers scheduled case carts to the Surgery Department
• Inventories and delivers back-up case carts to the Surgery Department and required areas
• Maintains responsibility for returned instrumentation and supplies (if applicable) that is unused, and the integrity of packaging has not been compromised
• Performs cleaning and decontamination duties, working quickly and safely and thoroughly addresses all instrumentation taking into account any unique cleaning demands
• Inspects, assembles, and packages all decontaminated reusable instruments and sets ensuring for cleanliness and functionality of all instrumentation
• Operates all processing equipment used within the department
• Performs sterilization and all associated monitoring activities
• Observes all safety and security procedures; Reports potential unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly
• Assists in keeping the department organized, neat, clean, and fully stocked while providing quality customer service to all customers, including co-workers
• Acts as a preceptor for new employees

Other Functions:

• Perform duties in a safe manner, to prevent injury to self, patients, visitors or other hospital personnel
• Contributes to maintaining supplies and sterile items for use throughout the hospital; keeps department clean, neat, and well organized
• Prioritizes work and focuses on consistent throughput
• Performs dispatch duties
• Contributes to all official departmental business in a professional manner
• Displays behavior that is consistent with a thorough understanding of the SPD Mission, Vision, and Values
• Maintains compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards of conduct
• Complies with HIPAA privacy and security requirements to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Performs other duties as assigned