Sr Sterile Processing Tech, Evening (Houston)

Sr Sterile Processing Technician

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Sterile Processing Technician position is responsible for maintaining high standards for decontamination, assembly, inspecting, wrapping, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for Surgical Services and all ancillary departments, which includes working in conjunction with the Operating Room (OR) staff to provide timely sterile products, trays and case carts where applicable. This position maintains consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.

The Sr Sterile Processing Technician Tech position must be certified, and therefore should demonstrate advanced knowledge of sterilization techniques, surgical instruments, and an in-depth understanding of the Sterile Processing department's relationship with other departments within the hospital.

Houston Methodist Experience Expectations :

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values :
• Integrity : We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
• Compassion : We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
• Accountability : We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
• Respect : We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
• Excellence : We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
• Practices the Caring and Serving Model
• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
• Provides for exceptional patient / customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients / customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience
• Involves patients (customers) in shift / handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job
• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities :

Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with staff from the interprofessional health care team concerning patient safety to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care through effective assignment and shift handoffs and uses a structured format for regular communication with staff members and physicians.

Serves as a preceptor and implements staff education specific to service lines and unit processes; coaches and mentors other staff and students. Role models, by example, open, professional communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution and achieve mutual understanding. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.

Initiates recommendations for improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

Using advanced skills and job-based competencies, performs decontamination and assembling of complex surgical trays, individual and potentially customized instrumentation and equipment utilizing established count sheets. Wraps or contains items appropriately according to size and type of instrument or equipment.

Functions independently to sterilize instruments and surgical trays by following prescribed manufacturer instructions for use and according to institutional policies and procedures.

Identifies and prioritizes timely sterile products, trays and case carts by interpreting the surgery schedule and based on the needs of the OR staff and physicians.

Ensures consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.

Reviews and improves upon the effectiveness of the sterilization process by using internal, external and biological monitoring systems appropriately utilizing established department protocols and sterilizer manufacturers' instructions for use.

Anticipates / prevents and responds to emergent situations. Actively participates in organizing the work flow, problem-solving, and managing multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.

Understands and implements use of appropriate cleaning detergents and agents by reading directions and SDS sheets and utilizing all department equipment according to manufacturers' instructions for use and department policies and protocols, providing clarification to others as needed.

Manages time effectively and efficiently, minimizing incidental overtime, by completing assigned work and cleaning workstation at the end of each shift.

Utilizes department resources to ensure completeness of trays, instruments and equipment according to count sheets. Identifies cost saving measures related to processes and / or supplies utilized within the department to share with management.

Performs, trains, and mentors industry sterile processing standards i.e. Steam, ETO and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide, while seeking opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

Acts as resource on Shared Governance committee for department or other hospital committees. Participates in department improvement activities.

Works in conjunction with SPD Educator to provide at least two relevant educational / in-service presentations based on service line and department location. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business / job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications :

Education :

High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include : GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

Work Experience :

Two years of sterile processing experience

License / Certification :

Licenses and Certifications - Required :

Sterile Processing certification : CRCST or CSPDT

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

Independently demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

Follows Universal Precautions by wearing the appropriate protective attire while working in the Decontamination area

Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers

Ability to utilize basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking system, if applicable

Demonstrates problem-solving and critical thinking, and makes decisions using an analytical approach

Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries made to the department

Supplemental Requirements :

Work Attire :

Uniform No

Scrubs Yes

Business professional No

Other (department approved) No

On-Call

Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

On Call

Yes

Travel

Travel specifications may vary by department

May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No

May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile :

Houston Methodist West Hospital is committed to leading medicine in West Houston, Katy, and surrounding communities by delivering the Houston Methodist standard of exceptional safety, quality, personalized service, and innovation. The growing campus offers more than 200 beds, 19 operating rooms, and over 1,500 employees, with access to the most innovative medical and surgical care available, including robotic and minimally invasive surgery, full-spectrum heart care, state-of-the-art imaging, cancer care, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, neurology and neurosurgery,