STERILE PROCESSING TECH - FT

Overall Responsibility:

Manages decontamination and sterilization of equipment, instruments and supplies. Performs tests and maintains records for biological monitoring, courier assistance and minor maintenance.

Key tasks and responsibilities (essential functions):

• Ensures that counters and equipment surfaces in the nursing and instrument areas surrounding the OR are free of dust.
• Arranges instruments and supplies in convenient manner in appropriate storage areas.
• Follows appropriate sterilization for instruments and other medical supplies as outlined in the policies and procedures.
• Remains available to the medical staff in and around the OR to ensure appropriate instruments and supplies are obtainable.
• Collects instruments at the end of each case for cleaning and sterilization.
• Responsible for being familiar with and carrying out autoclave sterilization according to policy including:
  • Packaging and wrapping for sterilization
  • Loading sterilizer for proper sterilization
  • Sterilization record keeping
  • Monitoring of autoclave sterilization and sterile instruments/supplies
• Assists in cleaning instrument and nursing areas surrounding surgery suite. Assists as needed in cleaning of the OR under supervision of OR nursing staff.
• Responsible for ensuring routine maintenance of autoclave and informing the Clinical Lead RN of any malfunction or possible need for repair.
• Carries out biological monitoring of the autoclave(s).
• Performs cold sterilization on appropriate instruments and supplies according to policy.
• Performs other tasks as part of the OR team as assigned by the Clinical Lead RN and/or other OR nursing team members, including retrieving phone messages, assisting to wheel patient gurneys, assisting with medical supply inventory, etc.
• Actively participates in the Quality Improvement program and other ongoing risk management and safety programs as part of the OR team.
• Follows OSHA and other standards for protection against blood borne pathogens.
• Uses good body mechanics.
• Informs Clinical Lead RN of applicable day-to-day situations.
• Follows employee health and other personnel and staffing policies.
• Maintains patient and Hospital confidentiality at all times.

Licensure and Certification: Certification as SPD Technician preferred. BCLS preferred.

Experience/Education: 1 year previous experience in sterile processing preferred. High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.

Environmental and physical requirements:Requires physical ability for long term standing, occasional sitting, crouching, kneeling, frequent walking, reaching with reaching above head and below waist. The employee must be able to read, write and speak English fluently, have cognitive skills for math, reading, filing and sterile technique skills. Requires communication skills to deal well with employees, patients, families and physicians. Vision for near, mid-range, far and accommodation. Hearing for low, medium, and high pitch. Job risk include exposure to blood and body fluids (high), contact with laser and chemicals, lifting of 30 - 75 pounds, and exposure to infectious disease.