Sterile Process Technician

Position Summary

Responsible for cleaning, packaging, sterilizing, assembling and dispensing reusable sterile and clean supplies.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Assigns priority to emergency requests and issue required supplies and equipment based on knowledge of procedure intended

• Assists in orientation of new employees to each work assignment area and total department operation

• Orders supplies including replacement components and implants on all orthopedic systems utilized by physicians in the surgical environment

• Sterilizes instruments, equipment, utensils, and supplies using various types of sterilizers, aerators, and high level disinfectors

• Load autoclaves in the prescribed manner and set controls to specified time and temperature according to material and requirements of items being sterilized

• Complete appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization

• Assembles all instrument procedure trays, packs, and kits according to the prescribed manner using content lists as a guide

• Wrap, package and handle all items following procedure

• Mark items with identifying data and distribute or store in designated area

• Notify supervisor when unable to replace parts or with equipment deficiencies in the work area

• Dispenses products requested for sterile and non-sterile equipment and supplies

• Decontaminates, disassemble and clean patient care equipment using approved disinfectants, detergents, soaps and cleaners

• Reassemble equipment after cleaning and check for obvious electrical hazards

• Maintains assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition to maintain required standards for handling sterilized and clean materials and to maintain a safe work environment

• Performs quality assurance processes including biological testing

• Conducts daily rounds to patient care areas for retrieval of soiled procedure trays and dispensing of the same after re-sterilization using acceptable infection control practices

• Takes call per department rotation and surgical services on-call policy

• Replenishes code carts as necessary

• Picks surgical supplies and instrumentation for surgical cases as scheduled

• Participates in meetings, conferences and in-services as scheduled

• Performs other department related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent

• 6-12 months of job related experience and/or training

• Sterile Processing Technician education or related experience with course work in Medical Terminology and Basic Human Anatomy

• Preferred: Sterile Processing Certificate

• Computer Skills

Position Specific Expectations

• Must satisfactorily complete a 4 month or individualized training program after selection into the position

• Job duties require constant standing and/or walking

• Lifts heavy trays

• Participates in Medical Center and/or departmental quality assessment and continuous quality improvement activities as directed; through identification of quality improvement opportunities, goal setting, collection and evaluation of data, implementation of action plans, or related applications

• Access to Protected Health Information in any format, whether oral, written, or through Electronic Information Systems will be in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and subject to disciplinary action when misused

• Access to electronic information systems for this position is based on criteria found in a pre-determined systems access matrix for classification specific job function, found in HR Policy #580, Using, Disclosing, and Requesting Only the Minimum Amount Protected Health Information Necessary