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Job Summary:

The Sterile Processing Technician provides a key service WellStar to ensure equipment consistently meets the highest quality and safety standards. The individual in this role must be skilled in following protocols with a high level of attention to detail.
This position receives and processes incoming supplies and equipment including performing cleaning and sterilizing duties. He/she is responsible for handling, properly processing and storing crucial medical instruments. He/she is responsible for sterilizer equipment monitoring for adherence to performance specifications, including inspection and documentation. He/she prepares packs of supplies, linens, and instruments in Central Sterile Supply or Materials Management as directed.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Collects, receives, cleans, disinfects, and decontaminates instruments, supplies and equipment according to hospital policies and procedures, AORN recommendations, AAMI guidelines and TJC requirements.
• Prioritizes workload according to the needs of the operating room and hospital units.
• Collects dirty instruments and equipment from departments throughout the hospital.
• Receives dirty instruments and scans bar code and equipment from the operating room.
• Disassembles and inspects instruments and selects appropriate cleaning tools and detergents to manually decontaminate instruments and equipment.
• Restocks surgical implantable as appropriate.
• Operates washer-decontaminator, cart washer, and ultrasonic cleaner to mechanically decontaminate instruments and equipment. Inspects surgical instruments and medical equipment and detect need for repair or replacement and inspects for cleanliness, assembles, wraps or containerizes instruments and equipment.
• Unloads Washer and scans bar codes on surgical trays.
• Inspects instruments and equipment to ensure in proper working order and for cleanliness.
• Scans bar code to Select appropriate count sheet for tray and ensures each instrument is accounted for.
• Selects appropriate chemical indicator for inside and outside of package based on mode of sterilization.
• Selects appropriate wrapping method or container.
• Assesses problems with trays and contacts O.R. resource staff and supply coordinator as needed for resolution.
• Avails him/herself to Operating Room to locate trays and to facilitate turnover of surgical trays.
• Communicates with Operating room staff and core techs in prioritizing workload according to the needs of the operating room schedule. Sterilizes instruments, equipment and supplies as required; handles and stores instruments, equipment and supplies appropriately.
• Appropriately select mode of sterilization for instruments and equipment.
• Scan barcode on each tray
• Loads and unloads sterilizer and documents accordingly.
• Selects biological indicator test pack if necessary for implantables on load.
• Operates steam, gas plasma and peracetic acid sterilizers. Appropriately handles, scans bar code and stores sterilized items in predetermined locations for future use. Distributes supplies and equipment to hospital units in a timely fashion.
• Scans bar code and delivers sterile supplies, instruments, and instrument trays to units throughout the hospital.
• Scans bar codes delivers equipment such as hyperthermia units, difficult urinary cart, isolation carts, portable suction units, central line carts thoracotomy carts and emergency carts throughout the hospital.
• Responds to phone calls from department for urgent need for instruments, trays, and or equipment. Monitors sterilizers and equipment mechanically, biologically, and chemically in accordance with quality assurance standards and performance improvement standards.
• Inspects sterilizer before use by checking for proper operating order by checking power supply, emptying drains, cleaning, and adding register tape as needed.
• Notifies Biomedical department in the event of sterilizer or equipment malfunction and notifies CS/SPD and OR manager.
• Performs daily biological and diagnostic tests and documents appropriately, factually and legibly.
• Activates Recall procedure in the event of positive biological indicator.
• Selects appropriate chemical indicators internally and externally according to mode of sterilization and documents results.
• Operates, maintains and troubleshoots 3M auto reader equipment to incubate biological indicators. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards, patient rights and ethics, performance improvement, management of information, management of human resources and leadership.
• Follows established policies and procedures for Blood Born Pathogens and Standard Precautions to identify and reduce the risk of infections among patients, employee, etc.
• Handles all department, patient and hospital information in a confidential manner.
• Makes suggestions for improvement, accepts constructive feedback, assists and accepts assistance from staff members.
• Documents accurately and legibly.
• Maintains a safe, functional and effective environment for patients, staff and other individuals.
• Promotes through action an environment for an interdisciplinary team approach to achieve the mission/goals of the hospital.
• Makes decisions that reflect knowledge of facts and demonstrates good judgement when functioning as a team member or team leader. Performs department and other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Serves as expert resource to the department and participates in orienting and training new staff and perioperative students.
• In partnership with Sterile Processing Educators, facilitates department educational programs, in-service meetings and attends meetings as required. Maintains the cleanliness of work areas as required.
• Maintains adequate supplies for inventory control and communicates daily to supply coordinator.
• Actively participates in performance improvement activities of the department. Facilitates intra-operative problem-solving related to sterile processing.

Required Minimum Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent Required
• Basic computer skills are Required
• Graduate of an accredited sterile processing/central service curriculum Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

• Cert Reg Central Service Tech 1.00 Required
• Cert Sterile Proc & Dist Tech 1.00 Required

Additional Licenses and Certifications:

Required Minimum Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited sterile processing/central service curriculum inclusive of a clinical rotation or 400 hours of previous sterile processing Required
• 1 year clinical experience Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

• Ability to read, write and speak the English language, optimize technology to support clinical care, and holds basic computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal, and collaborative skills along with customer service skills are required.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced environment and respond to emergencies using a decisive, composed, and respectful manner.
• Possess excellent time management skills.
• Provide care using evidence, analytical skills, and strong critical thinking skills.

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