Description

Location: Main Campus
Department: STERILE PROCESSING
Schedule: Full Time, Varied Hours/Shift, 7:00am-15:30 with call

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Processing Technician will be responsible for assisting in meeting age-specific (neonate, infant, child, adolescent, adult, geriatric) patient’s needs in the support role of instrument and equipment handling during the immediate and postoperative course (in the OR areas) and central sterilization of instrumentation & processed goods as needed throughout house wide areas of responsibility. Performs decontamination processing and sterilization procedures in accordance with Infection Control policy/procedures. Assembles, maintains and ensure functionality of surgical instruments prepares case carts for surgical procedures and prepares and assembles specialty trays for various department within the hospital. Maintains established departmental/hospital policies, procedure, objectives, Performance Improvement and patient Safety, and Infection Control. Works as a member of a unit based, multi-disciplinary patient care team. Accountability will be monitored through direct observation, financial goal achievement, performance improvement activities, and patient outcomes. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• High school diploma/GED PREFERRED 
• CSPT Certification encouraged after twelve (12) months of full time employment performing (SPT) activities. 
• One year experience preferred demonstrating dependability, reliability, and customer service skills. 
• OR experience preferred to include processing surgical instruments. 
• Ability to read, writes, perform simple mathematical calculations, and follow written and verbal instructions. 
• Basic thorough knowledge related to prevention of infections, asepsis, and sterility. 
• Basic knowledge of the diseases and health care needs of the patient population served. 
• Ability to think critically and prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities. 
• High level of interpersonal skills in order to effectively communicate with team members, physicians, and other hospital personnel with whom daily interactions must take place. 
• Problem solving skills sufficient to allow effective problem/conflict resolution. 
• Demonstrated traits of initiative and dependability required. 
• Ability to perform efficiently and effectively under stress. 
• Philosophy of health care service is compatible with that of the mission of SGMC. 
• Must have thorough knowledge of OR instruments and equipment, etc. 
• Demonstrates the ability to be a preoperative listener and excellent communicator. 
• Able to hear and interpret muffled voices through surgical masks and communication devices. 
• Able to participate in development of policies and procedures relevant to Sterile Processing Department. 
• Acquires and shares knowledge of current trends and methods in case cart systems and equipment processing. 
• Seeks continued learning opportunities that will enhance patient care. 
• Able to function as a reference person for the medical staff and OR personnel regarding availability and use of equipment and instruments. 
• Substantial level of mental/visual effort required for 80% of time in order to anticipate needs of OR staff. 

WORKING CONDITIONS - ADA INFORMATION 

Ability to handle heavy materials. Physical demands greater than moderate may require knowledge in the use of appropriate equipment. Frequent bending, lifting up to 30 pounds, and pulling require use of proper body mechanics. Often it will be necessary or individual to stand for long periods and may spend most of the shift on feet. Requires close mental, visual, tactile, olfactory and auditory attention in all phases of patient care activities. Works in acute care setting with adequate lighting with cool to cold atmosphere. May be directly exposed to communicable and infectious diseases, blood, blood products, and body fluids, secretions, and excretions, unpleasant odors, biological and chemical hazards. Safety hazards include sharps, needles and electric shock. Regular and recurrent exposure to steam sterilizers, electrical equipment, and we floors which require special safety precautions at any given time during shift. May be required to work various shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime hours.