Sterile Process Technician

Position Summary:

Responsible for cleaning, packaging, sterilizing, assembling and dispensing reusable sterile and clean supplies.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Assigns priority to emergency requests and issue required supplies and equipment based on knowledge of procedure intended

2. Assists in orientation of new employees to each work assignment area and total department operation

3. Orders supplies including replacement components and implants on all orthopedic systems utilized by physicians in the surgical environment

4. Sterilizes instruments, equipment, utensils, and supplies using various types of sterilizers, aerators, and high level disinfectors

5. Load autoclaves in the prescribed manner and set controls to specified time and temperature according to material and requirements of items being sterilized

6. Complete appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization

7. Read and initial mechanical records verifying appropriate sterilization cycle

8. Assembles all instrument procedure trays, packs, and kits according to the prescribed manner using content lists as a guide

9. Wrap, package and handle all items following procedure

10. Mark items with identifying data and distribute or store in designated area

11. Notify supervisor when unable to replace parts or with equipment deficiencies in the work area

12. Dispenses products requested for sterile and non-sterile equipment and supplies

13. Decontaminates, disassemble and clean patient care equipment using approved disinfectants, detergents, soaps and cleaners

14. Reassemble equipment after cleaning and check for obvious electrical hazards

15. Maintains assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition to maintain required standards for handling sterilized and clean materials and to maintain a safe work environment

16. Performs quality assurance processes including biological testing

17. Decontaminates, disassemble, and disinfect surgical instrumentation, lensed items, scopes, and fiber-optic cords in preparation for sterilization

18. Conducts daily rounds to patient care areas for retrieval of soiled procedure trays and dispensing of the same after re-sterilization using acceptable infection control practices

19. Takes call per department rotation and surgical services on-call policy

20. Replenishes code carts as necessary

21. Picks surgical supplies and instrumentation for surgical cases as scheduled

22. Participates in meetings, conferences and in-services as scheduled

23. Performs other department related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 6-12 months of job related experience and/or training
• Sterile Processing Technician education or related experience with course work in Medical Terminology and Basic Human Anatomy

Preferred:

• Sterile Processing Certificate
• Computer Skills

Position Specific Expectations:

• Must satisfactorily complete a 4 month or individualized training program after selection into the position
• Job duties require constant standing and/or walking
• Lifts heavy trays
• Participates in Medical Center and/or departmental quality assessment and continuous quality improvement activities as directed; through identification of quality improvement opportunities, goal setting, collection and evaluation of data, implementation of action plans, or related applications
• Access to Protected Health Information in any format, whether oral, written, or through Electronic Information Systems will be in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and subject to disciplinary action when misused. Access to electronic information systems for this position is based on criteria found in a pre-determined systems access matrix for classification specific job function, found in HR Policy #580, Using, Disclosing, and Requesting Only the Minimum Amount Protected Health Information Necessary