Instrument Processing Technician

Instrument Processing Technician

The Instrument Processing Technician works under the direction of the Sterile Processing Manager and is responsible for the proper handling, cleaning, disinfecting, assembly, and sterilization of instrumentation and patient-related equipment to render items safe for handling and use.

Sterilization:

• Loads, unloads and safely operates all sterilizers according to policies and procedures
• Completes all monitoring paperwork, sterilization records and records of instrument sets within required timeline
• Maintains sterility of equipment and supplies
• Transports, handles and stores sterile instruments and supplies per appropriate standards

Decontamination:

• Treats all instruments and equipment in the decontamination areas appropriately
• Follows proper cleaning procedures for items being cleaned
• Organizes and sorts instrument sets and equipment for proper cleaning, decontamination and ensures appropriate method of cleaning is used
• Performs presoaking, loading of instruments in the ultrasonic/medivator, and washer/disinfector, and performs manual cleaning/washing
• Prioritizes work according to direction and Operating Room demand, monitoring flow and timing

Instrumentation:

• Inspects and reassembles clean instrumentation and equipment according to standard operating procedures
• Sorts instruments according to type
• Assembles instruments according to appropriate recipe
• Prepares instrument sets and appropriately places in either rigid containers or prepares for wrapping with proper identification, entering into queue for sterilization
• Maintains appropriate levels of sterile instrument sets and individual instrumentation relative to Operating Room scheduling

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma/equivalent

OR

One of the following qualifications:

• Completion of an associate degree program or higher;

OR

• Prior experience as a central service technician in a sterile processing department;

OR

• Enrollment in an associate degree program or higher with completion of clinical internship in sterile processing

Successful completion of sterilization, decontamination, and instrumentation competencies required within 6 months of hire