Sterile Processing Tech II

Sterile Processing Tech II

Under general supervision, prepares, sterilizes, stores and issues medical/surgical instruments, supplies and equipment in accordance with departmental and hospital policies and procedures. Performs and/or assists in decontamination and distribution of medical/surgical supplies, instruments and equipment.

The Sterile Processing Tech II must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age, culture, ethnicity, and specific individual diagnostic needs of the patients served in his/her department. He/she must be able to assess and interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's specific needs and provide the care needed by the patient group (pediatric, adolescents and/or geriatric patient group, culture and diagnostic specific).

Consistently expresses and demonstrates compassion and courtesy for patients. Extends courtesy and support to patient's families/visitors.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Communication/Collaboration- Works effectively with surgical and anesthesia team to assure surgical instrumentation and equipment availability for scheduled surgical procedures while using customer service skills. Uses verbal, interpersonal and teamwork skills to provide assistance to team members in a cohesive manner. Demonstrates a positive attitude in the work environment.
• Fire in the OR - Able to accurately assess and monitor environment for potential hazards resulting in a flammable event. Maintains safety of the Operating Room and surrounding area during daily practice. Follows policy and procedure as well as all regulatory requirements for Fire safety. Attends inservices, watches video, successfully completes written testing, responds appropriately to Fire drill, and/or participates in competency marathon on an annual basis.
• Care of implants - Maintains safe practices and safe environment involving the care of implants. Follows recommended procedures and precautions for sterilization and care/cleaning of implant during any surgical procedure. Keeps current knowledge and/or update skills by attending inservices, seminars, successfully passing written testing and education for the care of implants on a yearly basis.
• Respect for individuals, Customer Service, Teamwork and Collaboration:
• Models excellence in customer service.
• Uses hand-off communication to convey appropriate instrumentation and surgical case information to members of the surgical team
• Identifies and addresses potential breeches in patient information management and confidentiality (HIPPA) issues.
• Serves as a collaborative resource within surgical services.
• Percepts, mentors, and provides an inclusive environment for peers, orientees and students.
• Provides performance feedback as requested within peer review systems.
• Voices difference in opinion professionally through appropriate channels.
• Serves as a positive team leader through initiative, involvement, and availability.
• Leadership, Clinical and/or Technical Skills:
• Recognizes and acts on all potential or actual equipment and or instrumentation problems. Demonstrates diligent adherence to cleaning and sterilization processes.
• Models critical thinking and clinical competency related to surgical instrumentation and equipment requirements related to procedure performed.
• Performs and/or assists with decontamination activities which render supplies sterile and safe for handling in accordance with department standards and generally accepted decontamination practices.
• Inspects, assembles and prepares instrumentation for sterilization in accordance with established sterile processing practices and standards.
• Appropriately labels instruments and sets.
• Wraps instruments in appropriate packaging.
• Operates steam sterilizers and related equipment; loads and unloads instruments properly; recognizes equipment malfunctions and reports to supervisor immediately.
• Dispenses instruments/equipment to surgical team.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Quality and Patient Safety:
• Demonstrates diligence in ensuring the safety of the clinical environment.
• Demonstrates knowledge, practice, and accountability for compliance with the TJC National Patient Safety Goals.
• Detects, reports, and takes action to avoid or correct safety risks.
• Uses safe practices transporting instruments from OR rooms, decontamination room and the sterilization room.
• Cost Effectiveness:
• Modifies work practices, as directed by team leader and Clinical Coordinator, in response to industry trends and changes in sterile processing methods and standards.
• Employs practices that improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Effectively sets priorities and demonstrates time management skills.
• Adheres to scheduled shifts in compliance with staffing targets and guidelines.
• Assists in identifying new technologies that reduce the cost of care or improve patient outcomes.
• Independently completes written requests for time off and exception forms for unanticipated schedule changes.
• Education and Research:
• Assumes responsibility for maintaining competency and recertification.
• Addresses learning needs of self.
• Attends required in-services and staff meetings.
• Completes required written training exercises.

Work Experience

• Completion of high school level of course work with attainment of a high school diploma or State High School Equivalency Certificate (GED). Demonstrated progress toward certification within one year is required.
• A minimum of one year Central Sterile Processing experience or successful completion of a recognized OR Central Sterile program is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of the use of a PC and computerized database system or demonstrated ability to learn within one year.
• Ability to read, write, speak English and perform simple mathematical operations for inventory purposes, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Ability to follow detailed written or verbal instructions accurately.
• Ability to operate potentially hazardous sterilizing equipment and related equipment.
• Ability to learn new concepts and techniques and to transfer knowledge into performance regarding such items as basic principles of microbiology, infection control, safety and computerized recordkeeping to assist supervisor with tracking inventory levels.
• Ability to stand and walk, each approximately 50% of the time in the process of operating equipment, arranging instrument trays and equipment carts, conducting inventory of and dispensing supplies. Ability to lift equipment up to no more than 50 pounds to load carts. Ability to push/pull carts of instruments, supplies and/or equipment.
• Ability to handle potentially hazardous materials, such as high temperatures of steam, decontamination chemicals and sharp instruments in the decontamination and sterilization process.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work with various clinical personnel, resolve problems and to properly identify and label supplies for inventory purposes.
• Highly effective verbal communication skills including courtesy, resourcefulness and efficiency in answering questions, giving directions, locating staff and explaining hospital/departmental policies and procedures are necessary. Verbal communication skills may include communicating with an interdisciplinary team, patients, and families. Effective writing skills are also required in order to take messages and maintain miscellaneous records, receipts, reports and logs.
• Demonstrate ability to safely operate and routine care and cleaning of 444 washer.
• Demonstrates UNIVERSAL precautions.
• Demonstrates ability to operate steam sterilizer including documentation, loading, unloading and safety.
• Demonstrates ability to operate Sterrad sterilizer including documentation, loading, unloading and safety.
• Demonstrate ability to interpret results of Bowie Dick, biological test pack, mechanical print outs and Sterrad biological.
• Demonstrates care and handling of instruments including cleanliness, and proper function.
• Appropriately labels instruments and sets.
• Wraps instruments in appropriate packaging.