OVERVIEW:

Responsible for cleaning, packaging, sterilizing and storing the supplies, instruments and equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the philosophy, goals and objectives of the Organization.
• Supports and perform according to approved policies and procedures.
• Participates as a team member in support of the total perioperative process.
• Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.Contributes to the progress and development of the approved Quality Management Program.
• Supports risk management and participates in programs directed to patient and staff safety.
• Contributes to the quality management process; identifies role and contributions upon request.
• Objectively evaluates suggestions, grievances, and processes to identify opportunities to improve performance and quality of care.Communicates effectively with patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers.
• Interactions are respectful and courteous.
• Communicates effectively and professionally using a translator when necessary.
• Documents that information received from the physician or sales representative is disseminated to the appropriate people.Maintains and promotes professional competences through continuing education and other learning experiences.
• Participates in committees, conferences, and quality improvement activities.
• Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities. 
• Objectively evaluates suggestions or criticisms and attempts to improve performance or seeks further guidance, as needed.
• Attends and actively participates in meetings, committees, and in-services according to job responsibilities and Facility requirements.Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.
• Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and noncompliance according to Facility policy.
• Observes safety measures in performance of job duties and responsibilities.
• Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure.
• Maintains a clean and orderly central processing work area.Interacts appropriately with various age groups.
• Provides equipment and supplies appropriate to the patient's age group.
• Considers age-specific patient requirements when responding to emergency situations.Adheres to sterilization process policies and procedures.
• Cleans each item according to manufactures' instructions.
• Verifies that each item is in good working condition; lubricates items when needed and inspects instruments under a microscope for damage and defects.
• Sorts and arranges items into correct trays and wraps trays and individual items according to Facility policy.
• Accurately labels each item with name and expiration date.Correctly operates sterilizers, ultrasonic washers, and other equipment for processing items. 
• Positions items correctly in sterilizer and selects proper cycle; seeks assistance when needed.
• Checks indicators for proper functioning.
• Performs required biological monitoring tests on all sterilizers according to Facility policy.
• Maintains availability of supplies for recording continuity during the sterilization process.
• Cleans sterilizers according to Facility policy.Maintains inventory levels and accurate records.
• Performs weekly inspections of all sterile items in the Facility. 
• Checks for outdated items and package integrity of wrapped sterilized items; replaces items as necessary.
• Places items in correct location. 
• Maintains adequate inventory of supplies for the sterile processing area.
• Maintains and updates the instrument tray inventory list.
• Maintains current information regarding routine preference cards.

COMPETENCIES - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Intellectual

• Uses intuition and experience to complement data.
• Designs workflows and procedures.
• Generates creative solutions.
• Translates concepts and information into images.
• Uses feedback to modify designs.
• Applies design principles.
• Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Develops alternative solutions.
• Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Develops project plans.
• Coordinates projects.
• Communicates changes and progress.
• Completes projects on time and budget.
• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses.
• Pursues training and development opportunities.
• Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Shares expertise with others.

Interpersonal

• Manages difficult or emotional customer situations.
• Responds promptly to customer needs.
• Solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Meets commitments.
• Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Listens to others without interrupting.
• Keeps emotions under control.
• Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
• Listens and gets clarification.
• Responds well to questions.
• Demonstrates group presentation skills.
• Participates in meetings.
• Balances team and individual responsibilities.
• Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views.
• Gives and welcomes feedback.
• Contributes to building a positive team spirit.
• Puts success of team above own interests.
• Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
• Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.
• Writes clearly and informatively.
• Edits work for spelling and grammar.
• Varies writing style to meet needs.
• Presents numerical data effectively.
• Able to read and interpret written information.

Leadership

• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Displays passion and optimism.
• Inspires respect and trust.
• Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates.

Organization

• Understands business implications of decisions.
• Displays orientation to profitability.
• Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition.
• Works within approved budget.
• Develops and implements cost saving measures.
• Contributes to profits and revenue.
• Conserves organizational resources.
• Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy.
• Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Treats people with respect.
• Keeps commitments.
• Inspires the trust of others.
• Works with integrity and ethically.
• Upholds organizational values.
• Follows policies and procedures.
• Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
• Supports organization's goals and values.
• Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
• Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses.
• Identifies external threats and opportunities.
• Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Self-Management

• Adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Manages competing demands.
• Changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Is consistently at work and on time.
• Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Follows instructions, responds to management direction.
• Takes responsibility for own actions.
• Keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Volunteers readily.
• Undertakes self-development activities.
• Seeks increased responsibilities.
• Takes independent actions and calculated risks.
• Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.
• Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Displays original thinking and creativity.
• Meets challenges with resourcefulness.
• Generates suggestions for improving work.
• Develops innovative approaches and ideas.
• Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Displays willingness to make decisions.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
• Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Makes timely decisions.
• Sets and achieves challenging goals.
• Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
• Measures self against standard of excellence.
• Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Prioritizes and plans work activities.
• Uses time efficiently.
• Plans for additional resources.
• Sets goals and objectives.
• Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
• Develops realistic action plans.
• Approaches others in a tactful manner.
• Reacts well under pressure.
• Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Follows through on commitments.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Applies feedback to improve performance.
• Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Meets productivity standards.
• Completes work in timely manner.
• Strives to increase productivity.
• Works quickly.
• Observes safety and security procedures.
• Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines.
• Reports potentially unsafe conditions.
• Uses equipment and materials properly.

Language, Math and Reasoning  

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and TRAINING:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have demonstrated understanding of sterilization principles.
• Experience in central processing functions preferred.
• CBSPDT and/or IAHCSMM certification preferred.
• Any person who was not employed or retained the services of a central service technician by a healthcare facility on or before December 31, 2022, shall have 18 months from the date of hire to obtain their certified registered central service technician credential or the certified sterile processing and distribution technician.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

BLS

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required walk, sit, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• This position works in an environment with moderate noise level. (Examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic.)
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in high precarious places.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to extreme heat (non-weather).
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of radiation.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to vibrations.
• While performing duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to bloodborne pathogens.