Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Technician

Responsible for the proper care, cleaning, decontamination, and sterilization of all surgical instrumentation.

Job Responsibilities:

• Ensures policies, procedures, and practices of sterile processing comply with the standards established by all regulatory agencies
• Receives, decontaminates, sterilizes surgical instruments, and distributes patient care equipment according to instruction for use (IFU).
• Ensures timely delivery of instrumentation to Surgery, Cath Lab, Women's Services, and outside clinics.
• Receives, inspects, and disassembles instrumentation in decontamination, following the manufacturer's IFU removes the bioburden from the instruments
• Operates all cleaning and sterilizing equipment according to IFU(s).
• Performs leak tests to determine the water tight integrity of the scope is intact before initiating the cleaning and high-level disinfection process or terminal sterilization of scope for endoscopy.
• Inspects packaging and containers prior to assembly of instruments.
• Maintains records for all sterilization procedures that are processed including interpretation of all biological monitoring, validation of monitoring results, and quality assurance checks to ensure sterilization parameters are met.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and educational experiences.
• Maintains a clean work area following established departmental policies, procedures, and infection control standards.
• Assembles surgical case carts according to physician preference and computer generated picking lists.

Skills and Attributes:

• Requires critical thinking skills and decisive judgment.
• Works under general supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• Applies more advanced skills and knowledge in the area of specialization.

Position Requirements:

Work Experience

• No experience required

Education

• High school diploma, General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or higher required upon hire

Licensure/Certification/Registration

• CRCST - Certified and Registered Central Service Technician through Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) required within 24 months of employment in this position OR
• CSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) required within 24 months of employment in this position OR
• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) required within 24 months of employment in this position OR
• TS-C - Tech in Surgery-Certified through National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) required within 24 months of employment in this position

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Supports Owensboro Health's Mission, Vision, Core Commitments, and business interests. Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures. Executes all tasks and behaves in a manner consistent with a culture of compliance, safety and a high reliability organization.

Additional Job Information:

• This job description describes the general nature and level of work required by the position. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of qualifications, skills, duties, responsibilities or working conditions of the job. Specific duties and responsibilities consistent with the general nature and level of work described may vary by department and additional related duties may be assigned as needed. Some duties listed may not apply to all employees with this job description.
• The job description is subject to change with or without notice, and Management reserves the right to add, modify or remove any qualification or duty. Nothing in this job description changes the existing at-will employment relationship between the Organization and the employee occupying the position.

Standard ADA Settings:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: (Clinical - Hospital)

Standing: Frequently

Walking: Frequently

Sitting: Occasionally

Lifting 0-25 lbs.: Frequently

Lifting 25-75 lbs.: Rarely

Lifting over 75 lbs.: Rarely

Carrying 0-25 lbs.: Frequently

Carrying 25-75 lbs.: Rarely

Carrying over 75 lbs.: Rarely

Pushing/Pulling 0-25 lbs.: Frequently

Pushing/Pulling 25-75 lbs.: Frequently

Pushing/Pulling over 75 lbs.: Frequently

Climbing: Occasionally

Bending/Stooping: Frequently

Kneeling: Occasionally

Crouching/Crawling: Occasionally

Reaching: Frequently

Talking: Frequently

Hearing: Frequently

Repetitive Foot/Leg Movements: Rarely

Repetitive Hand/Arm Movements: Frequently

Keyboard Data Entry: Frequently

Running: Occasionally

Vision: Depth Perception: Frequently

Vision: Distinguish Color: Frequently

Vision: Seeing Far: Frequently

Vision: Seeing Near: Frequently

Hazardous Drug Risk Exposure: Low risk

Owensboro Health Core Commitments

INTEGRITY - We conduct ourselves with a high level of responsibility, reliability and honesty because we take seriously the trust of our patients and coworkers.

RESPECT - We value and accept the unique talents and contributions of every patient, customer and team member in the Owensboro Health community.

TEAMWORK - We build a spirit of connectivity and fellowship by striving together to overcome obstacles, surpass goals, celebrate accomplishments and plan the future.

INNOVATION - We foster original ideas and creative solutions that improve our daily work and promote the mission of Owensboro Health.

SERVICE - We focus on service to patients, customers and team members by anticipating their needs, thoughtfully meeting those needs and continually improving the quality of everything we do.

EXCELLENCE - We reach beyond basic expectations to expand our knowledge and awareness, produce exceptional work and provide outstanding service.