Sterile Processing Technician I

Job Objective :

Provides system wide support for the hospital, surgical and clinic instruments, intubation boxes and crash carts. Work directly impacts patient care by preventing infections through proper decontamination, cleaning, inspecting, assembling, sterilization, handling and transportation of surgical and procedural instrumentation.

Job Description : Education :

Required : High school diploma, GED or higher level degree if hired after July 1, 2023

Licensure / Certification :

Preferred : Certified Registered Central Service Technician Certification (CRCST); Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) Certification

Experience :

Preferred : Experience in Sterile Processing, Central Services or Healthcare

Essential Responsibilities :

Demonstrates compliance with Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.

Uses manufacturer “Information for Use” (IFU) guidelines for cleaning, including solution selection and dilution rates for specific instruments, disassemble, reassemble, sterilization or high-level disinfecting and storage / packaging with appropriate devices to protect intricate and delicate instruments and ensure that surgical instrument sets are complete and operational for successfully reuse.

Identifies, selects and separates instrumentation needing manual decontamination from those that are safe for machine decontamination.

Combines instruments into sets and selects appropriate sterilization or high-level disinfection process.

Operates and trouble shoots sterilizing / cleaning / disinfecting machines, performs biologic sterilization tests, confirms

Functions to properly disassemble, inspect and reassemble all instruments with knowledge of instrument details.

Initiates, runs cleaning cycles, investigates errors and maintain technically advanced decontamination equipment.

Inspects instrumentation for contaminates and ensures instruments and equipment are in good working order prior to assembly.

Identifies “single use” vs “multiple use” instruments and discards those single use instruments.

Identifies, selects, and performs proper usage of sterilization wraps, containers and peal-pouch packaging all with selecting the appropriate sterility quality control indicators.

Selects, performs and interprets diagnostic tests and biological tests on multiple models and types of sterilization machines.

Collects instruments / sets and develops “surgical case carts” for each individual surgical case performed in the operating rooms. Identifies and selects non-instrument medical supplies for surgical cases utilizing surgeon preference cards.

Processes all opened or used Emergency Crash Carts (adult carts and pediatric carts) and replaces any used items, checks for outdated supplies, restocks and reseals Crash Carts.

Processes used Emergency Intubation Boxes and replaces any used items, checks for outdated supplies, restocks and reseals Emergency Intubation boxes and redistributes to the sites of care throughout the hospital and clinics.

Supports and assists the Supply Coordinator to maintain defined par levels of supplies utilized in Central Sterile Processing.

Contributes to maximum efficiency and priorities established by the daily OR surgery schedules.

Supports initiatives on process improvements, quality improvement, cost reduction and sustainability initiatives.

Maintains knowledge of risks and daily use and application of PPE with exposure to large amounts of contaminated and sharp instruments with known and unknown biohazard risk.

Follows manufacturer’s recommendations on dilution of all chemicals used throughout the department.

Prioritizes the need for instruments, equipment and supplies based on the scheduled surgical cases, surgeries in process and add-on surgical cases.

Essential Skils :

Ability to effectively communicate in a positive and professional manner

Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations in a calm and professional manner

Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines

Ability to routinely lift up to 25 pounds with instrument set processing, storage and distribution

Problem solving skills to identify issues and formulate effective solutions

Written and verbal communication skills

Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and unexpected situations

Ability to be assertive and consistent in following policies