Sterile Processing Tech I - Sterile Processing - Full Time

Position Summary: Under the supervision and/or direction of OR Nurse Manager performs various duties assisting in the handling & processing of instrumentation/equipment and supplies. Transport of patients, specimens, & supplies in accordance   with established Hospital Policies and Procedures. Understands and adheres to GCMC’s Compliance Standards as they appear in GCMC’s Corporate Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy. Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal, state and GCMC regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified.

Education, License & Cert: High School Diploma or GED required. Completion of a medical assistant or sterile processing program preferred. Certification as a Central Sterile Supply Technician per NYS Law preferred

Experience: Must have ability to read, write, and comprehend medical terminology. Experience in a medical / surgical setting a plus. Previous experience as medical assistant or sterile processing technician preferred.

Essential Functions: 

1) Provide safe and effective patient care in accordance with hospital Infection Control policy and procedures and adheres to AORN and AAMI standards.  

a.) Attire: Wears hospital provided clean surgical attire, including identification badge and changes according to policy when soiled or worn outside of building.

b.) Traffic patterns: Understands designation of restricted and semi restricted areas, clean and sterile supplies and equipment are moved separate from contaminated supplies equipment, and waste by space, time, or traffic pattern, maintains minimal movement of personnel while invasive and noninvasive procedures are in progress

c.) Hand hygiene: Demonstrates and follows proper hand hygiene.                    

d.) Precautions: Demonstrates and follows all hospital isolation protocol and procedures and utilizes appropriate PPE.and follows hospital infection control policies and procedures.     

e.) Safety: Maintains a neat and hazard free work area and reports any safety issue promptly to SPD Team Leader or OR Nurse manger.  Reports defective equipment, appropriately tags and remove equipment from service.

2)  Assumes responsibility for decontamination, disinfection and terminal sterilization of all contaminated instruments and equipment following AORN and AAMI standards.

a. Performs gross cleaning and decontaminates instruments and equipment utilizing correct cleaning solutions, and equipment for proper decontamination of instrument prior to sterilization.

b. Is knowledgeable on the operation of washer‐decontaminator, ultrasonic cleaner, Steris, pasteurizer, and DSD machines, including adjusting and selecting correct cycles, running quality assurance testing and troubleshooting as needed.  Logs all QI tests and strips as appropriate.

c. Is knowledgeable of OR special instrumentation and SPD instrumentation and equipment.

d. Maintains current knowledge of sterilization techniques including use of high level disinfecting agents such as Cidex OPA.  Selects correct method per instrument manufacturer’s instructions and perform QI testing and logs per manufacture instruction and hospital policy.

e. Identifies, sorts, inspects and test all instruments prior to reassembly to assure instrument are free from defects and acceptable to return to use.

f. Utilizes OR instrument instruction book  and SPD procedure cards to correctly resemble trays correctly.           

g. Wraps tray and instruments using correct wrapping technique, including correct placement of sterilization integrators. Assure that items wrapped are labeled on the outside of the set to include initials of person preparing the tray.

h. Can demonstrate working knowledge of event relating sterilization including correct handling storage and identification of packages which do not meet these requirements

i. Performs decontamination per schedule.  Picks up dirty equipment and instruments and transports them safely to SPD for cleaning and inspection.  

 j. Cleans, test and assembles all equipment that is kept in SPD to ensure patient care equipment is cleaned in accordance with policies and is safe and available for use in a timely fashion.

k. Is knowledgeable on the operation of sterilizers, including adjusting and selecting correct cycles, running quality assurance testing and troubleshooting as needed.  Input biological test orders in to Meditech and is able to interpret and accurately record results and log is complete at the end of every day and results are filed.

3)  Performs routine supply replenishment duties to support the perioperative area. Weight Assigned: 

a. Completes daily order for instruments and supplies and follows through with OR staff and/or OR charge nurse for resolution of shortages.

b. Exhibits consistency with timeliness of delivering daily supplies to assure availability for cases to be picked.

c. Checks outdates in department as directed and removes them promptly, reprocesses, if necessary, and records these outdates in appropriate logs.

d. Makes daily rounds for Operating Room in a timely manner to include Cafeteria, Linen, SPD, Pharmacy, Switchboard and other Service Departments

e. Checks oxygen tanks on stretchers and changes if needed.                   

f. Transports specimens to proper area in timely and safe manner and according to policy and procedure.           

g. Is competent in counting and restocking emergency carts and totes to support the perioperative area and assist MM on weekends if needed in restocking these carts and totes.

4)  Performs routine duties independently and efficiently and as a team player. Weight Assigned:  5

a. Exhibits autonomy and self‐motivation in performing daily work and projects as assigned.                         

b. Performs after‐hours expectations of role and contributes to the smooth operation of the department.    

c. Performs other duties as requested and observed by manager or supervisor

The pay for this position ranges from $17.51-$27.74 per hour.

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