Title | Instrument processing technician |
Main function | Responsible for sterilizing and ensuring proper care of instruments. |
Duties and responsibilities | 1. Philosophy - Supports the facility’s ideology, mission, goals, and objectives
- Performs in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures
- Follows the facility’s standards for ethical business conduct
- Conducts self as a positive role model and team member
- Recognizes patients’ rights and responsibilities and supports them in performance of job duties
- Participates in facility committees, meetings, inservices, and activities
2. Communication - Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers
- Interacts with others in a positive, respectful, and considerate manner
3. Financial practices - Uses facility resources appropriately and avoids wasteful practices
- Reports wasteful practices
- Analyzes work area and makes recommendations for potential cost-effective improvements
4. Compliance program - Contributes to the progress and development of the organization’s adopted compliance program
- Performs according to established compliance policies and procedures
5. Performance-improvement program - Contributes to the progress and development of the organization's adopted performance-improvement program
- Performs according to established performance-improvement policies and procedures
6. Safety/risk-management program - Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities
- Reports observed or suspected safety violations, hazards, and policy/procedure noncompliance to the safety officer or other designated person
7. Professional competence - Participates in continuing education and other learning experiences
- Shares knowledge gained in continuing education with staff
- Maintains membership in relevant professional organizations
- Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities
- Welcomes suggestions and recommendations
8. Duties - Maintains a clean and orderly central processing area (e.g., shelves, counters, equipment)
- Adheres to sterilization process policies and procedures
- Cleans each item according to manufacturer’s instructions
- Inspects instruments under microscope for damage and defects; lubricates items as required
- Determines whether each item is in good working condition
- Sorts and arranges items into proper trays according to established policy/procedure
- Wraps trays and individual items according to established policy/procedure
- Accurately labels each item with name and expiration date
- Correctly operates sterilizers, ultrasonic washer, and other processing equipment (i.e., positions items correctly in sterilizer, selects proper cycle, seeks assistance when needed)
- Checks equipment indicators for proper functioning
- Performs required biological/chemical monitoring tests on all sterilizers and maintains logs according to established policy/procedure
- Maintains availability of recording supplies for continuity of recording throughout sterilization process
- Maintains inventory levels and accurate records
- Performs weekly inspections of all sterile items in 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/updates the instrument tray inventory list
- Accurately documents count of instruments loaned/returned to outside sources
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Responsibility for assets | Instrument cleanliness/working condition |
Qualifications | 1. Cooperative work attitude toward co-employees, management, patients, visitors, and physicians 2. Ability to promote favorable facility image with physicians, patients, insurance companies, and general public 3. Ability to make decisions and solve problems |
Requirements | Required 1. High school diploma or GED certificate 2. Strong ethical and moral character references 3. Training/courses in sterile technique, sterilization of instruments Preferred Instrument processing technician experience ASC experience |
Job quality requirements | 1. Accuracy 2. Attention to detail 3. Timeliness 4. Organization 5. Little supervision needed to accomplish tasks |
Dependability | 1. Attendance 2. Punctuality 3. Ability to follow instructions 4. Ability to meet deadlines |
Physical/mental requirements | 1. Ability to stand/walk for long periods 2. Ability to push, pull, lift, and position equipment and patients 3. Visual and auditory acuity for use of sterilization equipment |
Working conditions (environmental) | 1. Well lit and ventilated area with complicated equipment, some of which is hazardous in nature 2. Category III: exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may encounter chemical hazards |
