CENTRAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN

About the role

The Technician, Central Service performs a wide array of duties to provide sterile instrumentation and trays to the Department of Surgery and other hospital departments. Works under the direction of the Sr. Technician for Central Services or Operating Room Management.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates and inspects surgical instruments
• Wears Protective Attire (PPE) - Standard Precautions
• Transports Equipment and Supplies as needed between departments
• Maintains equipment as per manufactures instructions
• Visually inspects instruments and trays to determine if pre-soaking is indicated
• Uses tongs or forceps to remove instruments from basins
• Chooses proper decontamination equipment per manufactures or OneSouce
• Documents instructions
• Arranges instruments, trays, and basins to facilitate proper cleaning
• Selects proper cycle per manufactures or OneSouce
• Cleans and decontaminates reusable patient equipment
• Cleans all surfaces with approved solution
• Inspects electrical cords for fraying or other safety hazards
• Ensures component parts are returned with equipment
• Removes any damaged equipment requiring safety checks for use
• Reassembles equipment and places in proper storage area
• Assembles instrument trays
• Visually examines instruments for remaining debris
• Visually examines instruments for functionality
• Arranges instruments to allow sterilant penetration
• Ensures instrument tray in complete order
• Tapes instruments
• Wraps instrument tray or places instruments in proper sterilization container
• Selects proper size and type of sterilization wrap
• Inserts chemical indicator/integrator in tray
• Performs proper wrapping and taping technique
• Records pertinent information on autoclavable tape/form
• Affixes load sticker to wrapped tray or container
• Prepares all rerun instruments for day
• Operates sterilizers per department procedure
• Loads sterilizer rack in manner to allow sterilant penetration and moisture removal
• Records load contents on sterilizer card/form
• Places biological indicator in required sterilizer loads
• Selects proper cycle per manufactures or OneSouce
• Examines sterilizer printout to ensure mechanical parameters of sterilization are met
• Sigs full name to sterilizer printout
• Allows adequate time for proper cooling of sterilizer contents prior to removal from chamber
• Unloads sterilizer contents and places in proper storage area
• Performs biological monitoring and recordkeeping of sterilization cycles (steam, eto, sterrad)
• Interprets and logs biological results in a timely manner
• If applicable, records information on Implantable Load Form and returns form to Department of Surgery
• Organizes all paperwork daily for end of month or other regulatory reporting
• Manually cleans case carts after use
• Places cart on hydraulic lift (where applicable by location)
• Transports clean carts and instruments as needed between departments
• Conducts daily testing and completes and maintains all records for the SPD units
• Prepares loan/consign instruments
• Receives/documents items
• Inspects/decontaminated instruments
• Assembles appropriate instrumentation
• Sterilizes/delivers to OR for use
• Delivers additional trays and supplies to O.R.
• Performs housekeeping functions - keeps area neat and organized
• Retrieves soiled carts/instruments following the procedures from both the OR and Labor and Delivery
• Uses proper etiquette when answering phones
• Cleans sterilizer chambers and carts as set forth in policy
• Cases
• Pick cases including add-ons
• Fills all needs on carts
• Organize case supplies and equipment for use by the OR Circulator and Technician
• Scopes
• Reprocess and store all assigned scopes as per manufactures instructions
• These will include but may not be limited to gastroscopes, colonoscopies, bronchoscopes & other flexible or ridge scopes used within the Hospital.
• Follow chain of care for communication of issues
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED or next level of higher education
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience
• Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1)- three (3) years of Central Service experience
• CRCST and/or a Surgical Technician background

License, Certification & Clearances

• As of September 1, 2017, any new or transferred employee must currently hold or obtain within 18 months of employment one of the following certifications: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or HealthCare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
• Act 81 Compliance.
• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.). Travel may be expected locally between Excela Health locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

• Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines
• When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.