Sterile Processing Technician (45564)

Under general supervision of the Central Sterile Processing Manager, the Sterile Processing Technician coordinates and collaborates the overall cleaning, decontamination, assembly and dispensing of surgical instruments, equipment and supplies needed for sterile procedures in related departments, utilizing infection control and safety practices during all phases of the process. Upholds the principles of Winslow Indian Health Care Center, Inc. (“WIHCC”) Vision, Mission, and Value Statements. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information at all times.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.
• Operates all required equipment and machinery accurately and safely; prepares, assembles, and sterilizes instruments and supplies according to parameters of sterilization in accordance with The Department of Health (DOH), The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards. 
• Accurately handles and cares for instruments appropriately, including appropriate selection of cleaning agents, lubricants, examination for function, identification and assembly, and preparation for sterilization; retrieves malfunctioning instruments and ensures repairs are completed.
• Performs storage and issuing duties consisting of removing items from sterilizers; inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization; aerating and/or quarantine of sterilized packages as needed; labeling items to show date of sterilization and load number; and storing items in such a way as to preserve the sterile condition. 
• Coordinates with Materials Supply Department to ensure facility sets are stocked to PAR levels.
• Maintains records on the use, issuance, stock levels, and maintenance of equipment. 
• Maintains records for Quality Assurance and sterilization.
• Reports damaged or malfunctioning equipment to supervisor and Biomed and follow process for replacement.
• Upholds all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adheres to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Adheres to WIHCCs Personnel Policies and Procedures, departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
• Interacts in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees, visitors, and vendors.
• Maintains compliance with all Human Resources requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED required. A minimum of two years of sterile processing experience is required. Sterile Processing Technician certification through Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) required or must obtain within one year of hire. Bilingual skills in English and Navajo language preferred. Must have good telephone manners and problem-solving skills.  Must maintain a valid unrestricted and insurable driver’s license.  Must successfully pass a background investigation and maintain suitable requirements for a Child Care position. This position is considered as a Child Care position, which requires a satisfactory background check investigation and is subject to the requirements of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, as amended (henceforth referred as the ICPFVP Act).

Knowledge, Skills, Ability

• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of equipment function sufficient to be able to determine operational adequacy and to distinguish between operator error and equipment malfunction.
• Knowledge of applicable sanitary, infection control, and safety standards sufficient to be able to perform all assignments within the safety parameters.
• Knowledge sufficient to be able to assemble and wrap appropriate instruments, supplies and equipment.
• Knowledge of processes, procedures, quality assurance, chemicals and medical instruments sufficient to be able to decontaminate and sterilize equipment, supplies and instruments.
• Knowledge of warehouse distribution practices.
• Knowledge of strong work ethics in the workplace.
• Knowledge of basic application of confidentiality.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills, e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to use a hand truck for delivering supplies.
• Ability to be dependable in attendance and job performance.
• Ability to meet attendance, overtime (if necessary), and other reliability requirements of the job.
• Ability to accept and learn from feedback.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to provide exemplary customer service at all times.
• Ability to interact positively with others and possess great interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and perform well under pressure.
• Ability to have self-confidence.
• Ability to be a great team player.
• Ability to accept and learn from supervisor/peer critique.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of the organization.

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands to handle and manipulate objects and equipment, reaches with hands and arms, and communicate effectively verbally and audibly. The employee frequently must stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and may occasionally use taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office setting or outdoor work environment with moderate noise levels. Work environment may involve exposure to physical risks, such as blood borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, or operating potential dangerous equipment, and requires adherence to all safety protocols. Required work schedules may include evening, weekend, overnight shifts, extended hours, or irregular schedules and rotation as operational needs dictate.  

As required by P.L. 93-638, absolute preference will be given to qualified Navajo applicants.  If there is no qualified Navajo applicant, preference will be given to qualified American Indian applicants.