SENIOR CENTRAL SERVICES TECHNICIAN

About the role

The Senior Central Service Technician performs all duties to include providing sterile instrumentation and trays to the Department of Surgery and other hospital departments. The position will work under the direction of the Sterile Processing Manager to assist with the coordination and implementation of surgical instrument processing and work flow. The position will also work with the medical and nursing staff to assure the operating room has the necessary instrumentation so that the surgical cases operate efficiently and on time. Acts as the liaison when the manager/supervisor’s is not available to make the appropriate decisions for the good of the department.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates and inspects surgical instruments.
• Wears Protective Attire (PPE) - Standard Precautions.
• Checks detergent level per shift.
• Visually inspects instruments and trays to determine if pre-soaking is indicated.
• Uses tongs or forceps to remove instruments from basins.
• Selects proper decontamination equipment (i.e. washer decontaminator).
• Arranges instruments trays, and basins to facilitate proper cleaning.
• Cleans and decontaminates reusable patient equipment.
• Cleans all surfaces with approved equipment.
• Ensures component parts are returned with equipment.
• Removes any damaged equipment or equipment requiring safety checks from 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 is complete.
• Wraps instrument tray or places instruments in proper sterilization container.
• Selects proper cycle.
• Operates sterilizers per department procedure.
• Loads sterilizer rack in manner to allow sterilant penetration and moisture removal.
• Records load contents on sterilizer card/form.
• Selects proper cycle.
• 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.
• Maintains Inventory Control (linen, supplies).
• Affirms adequate stock is maintained.
• Plots increase/decrease orders to linen room staff.
• Stocks re-usable linen in appropriate location.
• Plots orders for stock and non-stock supplies.
• Retrieves soiled/used equipment and instruments per established schedule (minimum 3 times daily).
• Conducts Steris System I E diagnostic test daily as appropriate.
• Tests unit in SPD.
• Completes and maintains record.
• 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.
• Uses proper etiquette when answering phones.
• Cleans sterilizer chambers and carts on weekends.

Specialty Essential Functions

• Assist Manager/supervisor with staff development.
• Aid in coordinating the functions of the Continuous Improvement Board.
• Affirm orientation and competency files are complete and organized.
• Educate staff on any new instrumentation or procedures.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care.
• Communicate pertinent information for interdisciplinary patient care conferences, shift reports.
• Report changes in the OR schedule, including the need to reassess the needs of the physicians & the OR staff, confer with the OR CNC when there is a need to alert the physician.
• Participate in the unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
• Assist in data collection process as requested.
• Recommend modifications for performance improvement.
• Affirm daily functions of the department.
• Review daily sterilization and biological logs for accuracy.
• Assign a staff member to be responsible for coordinating instrumentation for surgical cases daily.
• Affirm the staffing schedule including communication and posting of schedule.
• Affirm daily functions of the department.
• Assist in coordinating the staffing schedule including communication and posting of schedule.
• Affirm daily functions of the department.
• Assist manager/supervisor with related human resource functions as needed.
• Affirm staff performance for periodic performance reviews.
• Assume staffing responsibility (add or reduce according to OR schedule).
• Create staff time schedules where applicable.
• Deliver additional trays and supplies to O.R.
• Perform housekeeping functions - keeps area neat and organized.
• Use proper etiquette when answering phones.
• Cleanse sterilizer chambers and carts on weekends.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
• One (1) to Three (3) years’ experience in Surgical/or Central Service.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert knowledge in sterile processing, surgical instruments and sterile technique.
• Certified Registered Central Service Tech (CRCST) through the International Association for Healthcare Service Materials Management (IAHCSMM) or Certified Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Benefits

N/A