Sterile Processing Department Tech

Position Details

Position Summary

The Sterile Processing & Distribution (SPD) Technician provides a variety of technical functions in the decontamination and sterilization of surgical instruments and other medical supplies in compliance with policies and procedures of Perioperative Services, AORN, JCAHO, OSHA, and AAMI standards. The SPD Technician must have a working knowledge of decontamination, instrumentation, and sterilization.

Position Duties

1. Assures decontamination of instrumentation in accordance with manufactures recommendations and AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) standards.
   • Decontaminates, sorts, packages, and sterilizes instrumentation and equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Assembles and tests instrumentation to ensure proper functioning prior to sterilization. Determines when repair / replacement of instrumentation is needed.
   • Provides appropriate sterilization indicators in packaging; documents parameters and outcomes of sterilization process.
   • Coordinates decontamination process of instruments and equipment to ensure adequate availability for cases.
   • Processes contaminated scopes according to manufacturer’s recommendations and departmental guidelines.
   • Operates autoclaves, Steris and washer sterilizer, as appropriate to provide for timely availability of instruments and equipment for efficient departmental operations
   • Handles and cares for instrumentation and equipment to prevent breakage and damage.
2. Act as a liaison between the Operating Room and Sterile Processing to communicate the changes and needs for subsequent cases.
   • Actively participates in staff and team meetings. Assists in decision making to ensure complete and appropriate information is shared amongst patient care team.
   • Maintains records of all sterilizers, biological and chemical monitoring of steam, and Steris sterilizers to ensure proper operation, sterility of instruments and supplies in accordance with regulatory recommendations.
   • Maintains Bowie Dick, biological and chemical monitoring of sterilization in accordance with established policy to ensure daily incubator reads for positive and negative spore testing; institutes recall of instruments and supplies when necessary.
   • Works in conjunction with management on appropriate selection of new equipment, supplies, and instrumentation.
   • Provides flexibility in hours to meet the needs of the patients and the department.
   • Prioritizes instruments needed for turnaround; assembles trays in order of importance.
3. Maintains effective communication to insure appropriate instrumentation is available for surgery.
   • Checks operating room needs regularly.
   • Assembles instruments in order of importance.
   • Inspects all instruments for damage.
   • Assembles and tests instrumentation to ensure proper functioning.
   • Determine when repair/replacement are needed.
   • Wrap instruments/sets in appropriate wrapper/container.
   • Utilizes instrument tray inventory sheets for proper sorting and stringing of instruments and equipment to provide for efficient operations.
   • Provides appropriate sterilization indicators within correct instrumentation packaging.
4. Sterilizes instruments and equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and AAMI standards.
   • Perform all daily test and record results.
   • Prepare label gun with correct date and Identification number and stamp each item to be sterilized.
   • Document load items in Sterilization Log.
   • Place sterilized items onto the appropriate shelf location.
5. Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.

Phoenix Children's Mission, Vision, & Values

To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families

Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.

We realize this vision by:

• Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
• Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
• Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
• Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families

• We place children and families at the center of all we do
• We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
• We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
• We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
• We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable