Sterile Processing Technician

Job Summary

Job Summary: The Sterile Processing Technician is an integral part of the Surgical Services team. This staff member performs and participates in decontamination, assembling, packaging, sterilization, storage and distribution of reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment in a manner that consistently follows infection control and safety standards.

• Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry.
• Decontamination duties:
• A:
  Equipment
  • Collects and cleans used and contaminated equipment.
  • Wears appropriate PPE for cleaning equipment and uses approved cleaning solutions and materials.
  • Equipment is manually wiped down or disassembled in accordance with manufacturer instructions (IFU).
  • Completes decontamination process, re-assembly, and testing of equipment.
• B:
  Instruments
  • Collects and processes contaminated instruments for all patient care areas.
  • Wears appropriate PPE for instrument cleaning and uses approved cleaning solutions and materials.
  • Follows disassembly protocols for specific instrumentation. Exposes all instrument surfaces for the cleaning process. Selects the correct wash cycle per manufacturer IFU.
  • Follows established policy and procedure on receiving of loaner trays including but not limited to visual inspection, verification of each item to the inventory list, and completion of necessary documentation. Sends all loaner trays through the same decontamination process.

• Assembling/sterilization duties:
• Identifies instrumentation coming from the decontamination area as clean and free of bioburden.
• Reassembles any instruments disassembled for decontamination.
• Verifies all instrument mechanisms are working smoothly. Reports any instruments that fail to the appropriate department and takes instruments out of service.
• Sorts and assembles sets of instruments, trays, and medical equipment and makes them available promptly.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows the department protocols and skills list for materials used for wrapping, wrapping techniques, peel packs, and use of rigid sterilization containers.
• Follows department policy on documentation of all sterilization loads, contents of each load, instrument tray labels, peel pack labels.
• Follows the appropriate sterilization method and settings and utilizes all appropriate biological/verification indicators for each tray.
• Follows department protocols and skills list for both sterilizer operations and processed biological indicator monitoring. Follows established sterilization parameters on each item based on manufacturer IFU.
• Completes all daily/weekly testing requirements such as but not limited to: washers, eye wash station, ultrasonic, sterilizers, and biological testing.
• Follows established protocols for the recall process of a positive biological attest.

• Unit Support Duties and Responsibilities
  :

• Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills. Works with the OR/CS liaison to address issues.
• Ortho Practice Requirement:
  Will complete the required amount of education specific to hip and knee replacement as outlined by St. Mary’s Hip & Knee Replacement Interdisciplinary Team which follows DNV Hip and Knee Replacement Program requirements.
• As part of our commitment to clinical education and workforce development, all staff are expected to actively support and participate in the education and mentorship of students assigned to the unit.
• Maintains required competencies and completes annual compliance courses on time.
• Other duties as consistent with this role.

Job Knowledge and Skills

• High attention to detail required.
• Ability to read instructions and follow them appropriately.
• The ability to speak, read, write, and understand written instructions in English is required.
• Ability to work well both with a team and working alone after training completion.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Certification in process. Must sit for the CRCST exam within 2 years of hire date once HSPA testing requirements are met.
• Previous Sterile Processing experience preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

OSHA standards Category I, exposure to blood/body fluids or tissue. Must be able to work in a high-paced environment where multi-tasking, prioritizing and sound decision-making skills are required. Exposed to disease, illness, infections, strains, and physical injury. Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this position that involves a combination of sitting, standing up to 8+ hours, twisting, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching.

Lifting/carrying frequently up to 15 pounds, occasionally up to 30 lbs. Some stress is related to high level of responsibility for quality care.

Covenant Health Mission Statement

We are a Catholic health…