Instrument Technician-Processing

Full-time position (1.0 FTE) in the Sterile Processing department at UnityPoint Health - Allen. Shift: Monday–Friday, 3:00 PM–11:30 PM, with on-call rotation covering overnights, weekends, and holidays.

About the role

An Instrument Tech is responsible for decontamination, disinfection, inspection, assembly, and sterilization of supplies, instruments, and equipment following established infection-control practices. The role requires conscientious attention to procedures, the ability to work under pressure, and professional interaction with other hospital departments. The tech must be open to learning new duties, participate in performance-improvement activities, troubleshoot issues, and communicate effectively with the Sterile Processing Manager.

Responsibilities

• Assemble all instrument procedure trays using protocol content lists as a guide.
• Decontaminate instruments, equipment, and all other devices per manufacturer guidelines.
• Remove items needing repair from service and deliver them to the SPD office.
• Communicate effectively with all customers and staff.
• Sterilize instruments, equipment, and supplies in various types of autoclaves and Sterrad machines; load machines in prescribed manner and set controls to specified time and temperature.
• Complete appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization.
• Demonstrate knowledge of medical/surgical procedures and terminology.
• Apply aseptic techniques in daily work assignments.
• Perform general cleaning of department surface areas, racks, shelves, storage cabinets, all storage areas, and equipment.
• Maintain assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition to meet required standards for handling sterilized and clean materials.
• Demonstrate cooperative, courteous, and dependable work performance.
• Perform other related duties that may be assigned.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of equipment operation and maintenance.
• Demonstrate knowledge of infection-control principles and Spaulding’s classifications.
• Express knowledge of chemical disinfectants and access MSDS.
• Demonstrate knowledge of washer decontamination equipment and function independently in the decontamination area.
• Demonstrate knowledge of instrument names and the care and handling of instruments, tray preparation, and special procedure items.
• Demonstrate ability to access and utilize OneSource website for manufacturer’s instructions for use documents.
• Demonstrate knowledge of sterilizing procedures and biological monitoring and documentation of steam and Sterrad sterilizers.
• Demonstrate ability to access and utilize RL Events site.
• Maintain a 3% or less error rate.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent; internal applicants within UPH-Allen, in good standing, with two years of hospital experience will be considered in place of a high school diploma.
• Must read, write, speak, and comprehend English fluently to read manufacturer’s instructions, sterilization records, and all other documentation pertinent to the Sterile Processing Department (SPD).
• Basic Microsoft Office and computer skills.
• Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions.
• Ability to accept flexible assignments and work well as both a team member and individually.

Benefits

• Paid time off and parental leave.
• 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short- and long-term disability.
• Pet insurance for four-legged family members.
• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay.
• Tuition reimbursement to help further your career.
• Adoption assistance to help grow your family.