Sterile Processing Tech II (NIGHTS)

Job Requirements

• General Summary

  The incumbent decontaminates, disinfects, assembles, packages, stores and issues medical/surgical instruments, supplies and equipment in accordance with UMMCs policies and industry best practices and standards. Access to medication storage areas is required.

• Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

  • Preceptor for trainees after demonstrated and documented proficiency in decontamination, prep and pack, sterilization; TOR; case cart assembly, sterile storage and distribution.
  • May assist with basic trouble shooting of equipment used with flexible endoscopes.
  • Decontamination/Retrieval of Soiled Instruments from Patient Care Units:
    • Performs decontamination activities, to render instrumentation and other medical devices clean and safe for handling.
    • Uses chemicals in proper dilution for effective cleaning and disinfection.
    • Correctly operates mechanical decontamination equipment according to departmental procedures and following the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
    • Verifies the load contents against the load record before closing the load to make sure all items have been documented accurately.
    • Documents electronic (manual if SPM is down) date, load contents and sterilizer lot numbers to facilitate retrieval of items on the load in the event of a sterilization failure.
    • Recognizes equipment malfunctions and immediately takes appropriate action such as reporting to CS Leadership.
  • Prep and Pack/Assembly:
    • Inspects, assembles and prepares instrumentation for terminal sterilization in accordance with established sterile processing practices and standards.
    • Selects the correct packaging type and method(s) that are compatible with the devices to be sterilized. Labels packaged devices accurately.
  • Sterilization:
    • Selects the correct sterilization method(s) for the items(s) being sterilized.
    • Monitors the sterilization process using mechanical, chemical and biological indicators to include accurate documentation of the results of such monitoring devices.
    • Operates sterilizers and related equipment according to departmental procedures and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
    • Verifies cycle parameters, documents and processes biological monitoring. When available, immediately documents chemical indicator and biological test results.
    • Promptsly initiates the recall process in the event of a sterilization failure such as wet load, aborted cycle, wrong parameters, positive BI, unresponsive chemical indicator.
  • Sterile Storage/Case Carts:
    • Assembles and delivers case carts to the surgical suite; this includes regular scheduled, wait list, add-ons and emergent cases.
    • Dispenses and delivers instruments and equipment to nursing departments and clinics.
    • Maintains an accurate record of supplies and/or instruments dispensed to patient care units for use. This may include computer data entry.
    • Conducts periodic supply inventory and follows procedures to restock as necessary.
    • Pulls surgical instrumentation to include sets, peel packaged items and loaner sets in addition to disposable supplies such as totes or packs that are required for the case cart.
    • Maintains knowledge of surgical procedures, supplies and products.
    • Immediately reports supplies and/or instrumentation outages to CS leadership for action.
    • Initiates supply returns to ensure accurate inventory levels are maintained.
    • Frequently monitors the sterile storage area for events that may compromise the integrity of the items stored in this area to include, expired items, torn, holes, damaged or missing tamper evident locks and indicator tape.
    • Scans trays and peel package items to the correct shelf location.
  • HLD and Flexible/Rigid Endoscope Processes:
    • Performs decontamination activities, to render flexible scopes, transesophageal and other dilators clean and safe for handling.
    • Performs pre-cleaning leak testing; takes proper action in the event of a failed lead test; documents the results; contacts CS leadership for action.
    • Utilizes all cleaning/flushing equipment according to IFU; maintains, cleans or disinfects equipment and documents.
    • Performs cleaning post cleaning inspection using lighted magnification and residual soil verification testing; documents the results. Takes appropriate action in the event of non-passing result.
    • Performs post cleaning leak testing for TEE probes and documents results.
    • Cleans and disinfects sink after each scope or dilator; maintains a clean work area.
    • Strictly follows one-way flow process, using 3-sink method; cleans one scope at a time.
    • Performs high level disinfection in accordance with established procedures utilizing AER’s (Automatic Endoscopic Reprocessors).
    • Dons clean ppe; loads flexible scopes in AER with correct hook-up.
    • Maintains the scope process using mechanical and chemical indicators for the AER. Documents all information related to items being high level disinfected identifying to include, date, physician, patient identifier, load/cycle number, and processing technician. This may include computer data entry using SPM.
    • Complies with safety requirements regarding chemical exposure and spills.
    • Cleans and restocks endoscopy procedure carts in accordance with departmental procedures.
    • Issues scopes utilizing hard containers designed for scope transport.
    • Assists clinical staff with at the point of use handling issues and equipment malfunctions.
    • Stores scopes and equipment in designated storage areas for distribution.
    • Cleans storage shelves to maintain a clean work environment.
    • Assists with retrieval of contaminated scopes from patient care areas for sterile processing. Practices proper techniques in the containment and handling of contaminated scopes and equipment to prevent cross-contamination, in accordance with department standards and accepted safe and sterile handling practices.
  • Other Requirements:
    • May be assigned as a preceptor to new hires and/or trainees.
    • Attends all mandatory hospital and department in-service training and safety training annually.
    • Attends a minimum of one external educational seminar per year.
    • Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, and quality and safety standards.
    • If assigned to reprocessing flexible endoscopes, must obtain certification in scope reprocessing within 12 months of assumption of those duties.

• Work Experience

  • High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.
  • 6 months or more years of CSP experience.
  • Must be certified CRCST or CBSPDT.
  • If assigned to reprocessing flexible endoscopes, must obtain certification in scope reprocessing within 12 months of assumption of those duties.

• Education and Experience

  • Basic knowledge of the use of a PC and computerized database system preferred or demonstrated ability to learn within one year.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work with various clinical personnel, resolve problems and to properly identify and label supplies for inventory purposes.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Basic knowledge of the use of a PC and computerized database system preferred or demonstrated ability to learn within one year.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work with various clinical personnel, resolve problems and to properly identify and label supplies for inventory purposes.

• Patient Safety

  • Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
  • Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
  • Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
  • Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.