Sterile Processing Technician

Job Summary

Responsible for the proper care, cleaning, decontamination, and sterilization of all surgical instrumentation.

Job Responsibilities

• Ensures policies, procedures, and practices of sterile processing comply with the standards established by all regulatory agencies.
• Receives, decontaminates, sterilizes surgical instruments, and distributes patient care equipment according to instruction for use (IFU).
• Ensures timely delivery of instrumentation to Surgery, Cath Lab, Women's Services, and outside clinics.
• Receives, inspects, and disassembles instrumentation in decontamination, following the manufacturer's IFU removes the bioburden from the instruments.
• Operates all cleaning and sterilizing equipment according to IFU(s).
• Performs leak tests to determine the water tight integrity of the scope is intact before initiating the cleaning and high-level disinfection process or terminal sterilization of scope for endoscopy.
• Inspects packaging and containers prior to assembly of instruments.
• Maintains records for all sterilization procedures that are processed including interpretation of all biological monitoring, validation of monitoring results, and quality assurance checks to ensure sterilization parameters are met.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and educational experiences.
• Maintains a clean work area following established departmental policies, procedures, and infection control standards.
• Assembles surgical case carts according to physician preference and computer generated picking list.
  
  

Qualifications

• High school diploma, General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or higher required upon hire
• No experience required
• CRCST - Certified and Registered Central Service Technician through Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). required within 24 months of employment in this position OR
• CSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) required within 24 months of employment in this position OR
• CST - Certified Surgical Technologist through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) required within 24 months of employment in this position OR
• TS-C - Tech in Surgery-Certified through National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) required within 24 months of employment in this position
  
  

Skills and Attributes

• Requires critical thinking skills and decisive judgment.
• Works under minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Standing: Frequently
• Walking: Frequently
• Sitting: Occasionally
• Lifting 0-25 lbs: Frequently
• Lifting 25-75 lbs: Rarely
• Lifting over 75 lbs: Rarely
• Carrying 0-25 lbs: Frequently
• Carrying 25-75 lbs: Rarely
• Carrying over 75 lbs: Rarely
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 lbs: Frequently
• Pushing/Pulling 25-75 lbs: Frequently
• Pushing/Pulling over 75 lbs: Frequently
• Climbing: Occasionally
• Bending/Stooping: Frequently
• Kneeling: Occasionally
• Crouching/Crawling: Occasionally
• Reaching: Frequently
• Talking: Frequently
• Hearing: Frequently
• Repetitive Foot/Leg Movements: Rarely
• Repetitive Hand/Arm Movements: Frequently
• Keyboard Data Entry: Frequently
• Running: Occasionally
• Vision: Depth Perception: Frequently
• Vision: Distinguish Color: Frequently
• Vision: Seeing Far: Frequently
• Vision: Seeing Near: Frequently
  
  

Owensboro Health Core Commitments

INTEGRITY - We conduct ourselves with a high level of responsibility, reliability and honesty because we take seriously the trust of our patients and coworkers.

RESPECT - We value and accept the unique talents and contributions of every patient, customer and team member in the Owensboro Health community.

TEAMWORK - We build a spirit of connectivity and fellowship by striving together to overcome obstacles, surpass goals, celebrate accomplishments and plan the future.

INNOVATION - We foster original ideas and creative solutions that improve our daily work and promote the mission of Owensboro Health.

SERVICE - We focus on service to patients, customers and team members by anticipating their needs, thoughtfully meeting those needs and continually improving the quality of everything we do.

EXCELLENCE - We reach beyond basic expectations to expand our knowledge and awareness, produce exceptional work and provide outstanding service.