ASC Sterile Processing (SP) Technician

Austin Regional Clinic: ARC•Austin, TX

About The Position

The ASC Sterile Processing Technician maintains the cleanliness, functionality, and inventory of instruments, equipment, and reusable medical supplies according to nationally recognized standards, regulations, and center policies to support safe, quality patient care. The role carries out duties in compliance with confidentiality requirements and promotes the organization’s mission and philosophy. The technician decontaminates, cleans, prepares, and sterilizes surgical instruments, reusable supplies, and equipment in the sterile processing area. The role follows manufacturers’ Instructions for Use and recommended processing procedures, uses appropriate biological and chemical monitoring with documentation, inspects items, rotates processed items, maintains tray lists and inventory, and monitors the surgery schedule to anticipate needs. The technician removes defective items from service, replaces missing items, maintains accurate records, and pursues training to remain current on standards and regulations. The role also requires following safety and exposure-control plans, maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, treating patients, families, visitors, and colleagues with respect, complying with company policies including OSHA and HIPAA, and maintaining regular, dependable attendance. Other duties may be assigned. The schedule is part-time, 24 hours on weekdays.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One-year certificate from a college or technical school, or at least three months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Current AHA-approved Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider CPR course completion card; CPR certification must be maintained during employment.
Knowledge of activities associated with sterile processing technician practices and assigned duties.
Ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and work under deadlines, pressure, and interruptions.
Excellent verbal, written documentation, and communication skills.
Ability to work variable hours and be flexible to meet the center’s daily surgery schedule.
Ability to read and interpret business and professional publications, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information and respond to questions.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, to practical situations.
Excellent computer and keyboarding skills, including Windows and applications such as EMR, databases, spreadsheets, report writing, project management, word processing, email, and scheduling.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and interpret technical instructions in written or mathematical/diagram form.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a team environment.
Ability to engage others, listen, adapt responses to others’ needs, and perform duties professionally.
Ability to align actions with team members toward common goals and understand, recall, and apply oral or written instructions.
Ability to organize thoughts and ideas clearly and apply common sense.
Proactive approach to identifying and solving problems; appropriate time management, prioritization, and task completion skills; ability to cope with and manage change.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of ambulatory surgery center (ASC) experience.
Certified Sterile Processing Technician certification.

Responsibilities

Decontaminate, clean, prepare, and sterilize surgical instruments, reusable supplies, and equipment in the sterile processing area.
Understand the use and handling of chemicals used in sterile processing.
Follow recommended instructions for decontaminating, cleaning, sonification, drying, flushing, and sterilizing items.
Use appropriate biological and chemical monitoring and document results.
Rotate processed items and inspect required items.
Follow manufacturers’ Instructions for Use for items processed in the sterile processing area.
Monitor the surgical schedule to anticipate instrumentation, equipment, and reusable medical supply needs.
Remove defective items from service, replace missing items, and alert relevant parties.
Maintain appropriate tray lists, inventory stock, and accurate, detailed records.
Pursue knowledge and training to remain current on sterile processing standards and regulations.
Attend required safety training and understand general, center/service, and job-specific safety responsibilities.
Follow center exposure-control plans for bloodborne and airborne hazards.
Treat patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees with respect and maintain a professional, courteous environment.
Maintain cleanliness and hygiene to help keep patients safe from illness and infection.
Adhere to company policies, including OSHA, HIPAA, compliance, and the Code of Conduct.
Maintain regular and dependable attendance and follow company core competencies.
Perform other duties as assigned.