Surgical Instrument Assistant

Overview

Reports to the Department Designee. Under the direction of a Certified Surgical Instrument Technologist, is responsible for the care, preparation, and maintenance of sterile and unsterile instruments, equipment, and supplies. Identifies, inspects and assembles instrumentation for use in a sterile procedure. Sterilizes instrumentation and completes quality control checks as required. Ensures proper inventory levels by filling requests according to established unit of measure.

• MISSION:
  We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES:
  Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS:
  Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

• Decontaminates Surgical Instrumentation, Utilizing Correct Departmental Procedures By
• Consistently adhering to policy of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while in the decontamination area.
• Emptying all contaminated trash into appropriate containers, as well as placing all other trash into trash room bins.
• Performing proper cleaning procedures and operating washer decontaminator.

• Inspects surgical instrumentation for cleanliness and proper working order by:
• Inspecting all instrumentation for moving parts and taking appropriate action if problems are identified.
• Verifying that instrumentation, lumens, scopes, etc., are free of all contaminates; removing any instruments from service until properly cleaned.

• Assembles surgical instrumentation according to accreditation standards and departmental procedures by:
• Ensuring every item processed for any sterilization method has appropriate internal indicator.
• Following the Censitrac scanning system to determine instrumentation needed for the tray, process a count sheet, and record the location of trays processed.
• Identifying missing items not available for replacement, notifying the appropriate Surgical Coordinator of the missing instruments, then placing a 'Missing Instrument' sticker on the outside of set once approved to process by the coordinator.

• Sterilizes instrumentation and completes quality control checks according to accreditation standards and departmental procedures by:
• Utilizing appropriate Load Record documentation and specifications to load and operate sterilizer equipment.
• Verifying that the sterilizer equipment has met the appropriate time and temperature parameters.

• Completes the biological documentation as required by all accreditation standards and departmental procedures by:
• Preparing and running appropriate test packs for appropriate sterilizers.
• Preparing the biological(s) for placement into appropriate incubators and recording appropriate information.
• Following the Censitrac scanning system for recording and documenting information required for biological results, products sterilized in each load, and the parameters of the sterilization process.
• Recording information required on appropriate records, based on the biological results.

• Ensures that inventory item(s) retrieved or returned are correct and are documented according to the established unit of measure by:
• Prioritizing the pulling of OR case carts, filling stock requisitions, and restocking inventory carts according to departmental procedure.
• Performing basic computer duties which include, locating proper inventory number(s), stock bin locations and quantities of stock available and on order.
• Reporting inventory discrepancies to the Inventory Supervisor or Inventory Coordinator.

• Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:
• Channeling problems and/or complaints to appropriate resource person for investigation and resolution.
• Reporting work location to the Lead Technician and when assignments cannot be completed.
• Providing input and assisting in the implementation of the department quality assurance (QI) process.
• Completing other job-related assignments and special projects as assigned.