STERILE PROCESSING TECH I

Under direct/indirect supervision, follows approved infection control, quality assurance and departmental policies and procedures. Works a majority of time in a Sterile Processing Department cleaning, preparing, assembling, sterilizing, prepare packs, instruments, and trays for the medical center and/or medical office building. In addition, may also process inpatient operating room instruments and does not meet the requirements of a Certified Sterile Processing Tech II. Performs other related duties as necessary.
Essential Functions:
- Adherence to hand washing requirements, work flow patterns, standard precautions, sterility assurance, biological monitoring, dress code
- Validates and maintains: event related protocols, disinfection and/or sterilization load parameters and records, inventory check sheet(s), and equipment monitoring
- Meets regulatory requirements for sterilization, high-level disinfection, biological monitoring, and employee competencies
- Accurately document daily records of all QA and sterilization functions according to regulatory agency and Infection Control standards
- Adheres to Organizational and Departmental policies and procedures
- Participates in New Employee Orientation (NEO), department employee orientation (DEO), meetings, in-services and training, and employee evaluation and competency programs
- Prepares for Sterile Processing Technician Certification
- Wears personal protective equipment
- Inspects, disassembles sorts, cleans, and processes reusable instrumentation and equipment. Selects and operates specialized cleaning equipment
- Follows manufacturer recommendations for proper use of cleaning agents
- Follows device manufactures cleaning guidelines
- Maintains adequate cleaning supplies as designated reprocesses endoscopes
- Identifies, inspects, and assembles, all general and specialty instruments, various power equipment, laser and endoscopes instruments per specifications and manufacturer recommendations
- According to manufacturer guidelines, selects and prepares packaging materials for the sterilization of reusable instrumentation
- Selects appropriate method of sterilization
- Maintains accurate sterilization records
- Properly loads and unloads sterilization cart items
- Verifies that sterilization parameters meet before distribution of load
- Collect, clean, check, distributes, and track patient care equipment
- As designated, order patient care equipment, inventory assigned supply areas for replenishment, rotates supplies, and stocks general and surgical carts
- Report malfunctioning equipment to appropriate department
- Demonstrates awareness of personal and work area safety at all times
- Complies with facility safety policies and procedures, including those for blood borne pathogens and communicable diseases
- Takes prompt corrective actions when hazard identified (reporting or removing, as appropriate) Attends required safety training
- Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills
- Actively supports and contributes teamwork in the workplace
- Takes responsibility and is accountable for own professional work ethics
- Demonstrates responsibility in adhering to posted work schedules
- Performs other duties as assigned
- No supervisory responsibilities

Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
- Minimum six months of Sterile Processing experience preferred
- Completion of Sterile Processing Training course with 200 hours internship/SPD experience preferred
- High School Diploma/GED
- Knowledge of Medical Terminology to understand instrumentation, surgical procedures, and surgical schedule preferred
- Knowledge with all various types of reusable surgical instrumentation, including power equipment and micro surgical instrumentation preferred
- Knowledge of Sterile Processing departmental equipment (i.e. washers, ultrasonic, steam, gas, and chemical sterilizers) preferred
- Knowledge of cleaning patient care equipment (i.e. IV. pumps, feeding pumps, pneumatic pumps, CPM machines, PCA, and hypo/hyperthermia units, etc.) preferred
- Knowledge of sterilization monitoring, record keeping, and quality assurance programs preferred
- Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos
- Ability to write simple correspondence
- Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other incumbents of the organization
- Provided that no qualified candidates apply, will consider training candidates with related medical background
- Must be willing to work in a Labor Management Partnership environment
- Also, refer to Position Specifications outlined in the appropriate collective bargaining agreement
Schedule Details: On-Call.