Sterile Processing Technician

Position Overview

The Sterile Processing Technician provides sterile instruments and decontaminated, safe equipment for patients of all ages under the supervision of a Patient Care Manager/Coordinator or Chief Technician. He/She cleans, disinfects, assembles, packages and sterilizes surgical instruments; tests, operates and monitors sterilization equipment; documents and maintains sterilization records; assembles surgical supplies; and decontaminates, disinfects and distributes patient care equipment.

The Sterile Processing Technician verifies and assures accurate patient charges; orders patient equipment and supplies; and operates computer equipment to meet patient supply needs, for patient charge inquiry, and to post and credit charges. The Sterile Processing Technician must demonstrate knowledge of sterilization supplies and requirements, equipment and instruments; organizing, containing, and transporting items of varying compounds, textures or quantities; transporting and disposing of hazardous materials and sharp objects according to hospital procedures.

He/She must demonstrate knowledge of sterilization procedures of various equipment and instruments and knowledge of wrapping and repackaging sterilized instruments.

The Tech must demonstrate the following skills: using sterilization equipment and instruments; arranging instruments on surgical trays; following written instructions and performing multiple tasks; and establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with others.

Expectation is for all performed duties to be in accordance with Singing River Health System procedures and policies, accreditation organization, and governing guidance and publications for health care employees.

DISCLAIMER
:
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this intends to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks performed as assigned.

• High School diploma required or GED equivalent.
• Knowledge of medical terminology essential.

• Certification recommended within two (2) years of employment.
• Must have de‑escalation training completed by the end of position orientation (90 days); must have appropriate level of de‑escalation training.

• Central Service, OR Instrument/Supply and computer entry experience preferred.

Patient Care Manager, Patient Care Coordinator, and/or Chief Technician.

None.

• Work is moderately active: involves sitting with frequent requirements to move about the office, move about the facility, and to travel to another facility within the SRHS service area.
• Work involves exerting a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Work involves using repetitive motions: substantial movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers while operating standard office equipment such as computer keyboard, copier and 10‑key.
• Work involves being able to perceive the nature of sound at normal speaking levels with or without correction; the ability to make fine discriminations in sound.
• Work requires close visual acuity and the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus, i.e. shift gaze from viewing a computer monitor to forms/printed material that are closer to compare data at close vision.
• Must be able to be active for extended periods of time without experiencing undue fatigue. Must be able to work flexible hours.
• Work involves using many physical motions in performing daily work activities; subject to exposure of body fluids, sputum and tissues, which may carry the hazard of infectious disease.

• Keen mental faculties, sound judgment and decision making skills for the preparation and sterilization of surgical instruments and the monitoring of computerized sterilization equipment.
• Must be able to consistently perform a high degree of accuracy.
• Emotional stability conducive to with high stress level associated with correctly and efficiently preparing patient instrumentation on a daily basis while maintaining effective working relationships with peers, managers, physicians, and other health care workers.

• Must be able to function unsupervised in a highly conscientious manner.
• Must be able to set priorities and give close attention to details.
• Must be adaptable to change.