Central Service Tech I or II - 2nd Shift - North Liberty

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Iowa Medical Center North Liberty Central Sterilizing Services department is seeking a full-time Central Service Technician I or II. This position will be located within Medical Center North Liberty. This position will be available to work Monday-Friday, 3:00pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends/holidays located at the North Liberty Campus.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent, with courses in the physical and natural sciences and mathematics; or One year experience in a hospital-related field that would provide a background in medical environment or sterile technique as it applies to medical supplies and equipment.
Verified experience with or documented completion of a medical terminology course and High school graduation or equivalent, with courses in the physical and natural sciences and mathematics;
Must possess and maintain certification from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or the International Association of Health Care Service Material Management (IAHCSMM);
Two years of related experience working in a medical field that includes a sterile processing component, or, One year of working in sterile processing and one year of experience in a functional supervision role, or; One year of related experience in a medical field that includes a sterile processing component and one year of college level course work.
Knowledge of technical names, general uses and physical properties and characteristics of medical supply items and equipment, and respond to inquiries about same for medical and nursing staff.
Knowledge of cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing procedures.
Knowledge of assembling, packaging and wrapping procedures in order to prepare items for sterilization.
Knowledge of the mechanical operation of various types of sterilization and cleaning equipment and keeps current with the technological changes in equipment.
Knowledge of the precautions to take while handling trays of sharp or delicate instruments or of contaminated equipment and supplies.
Ability to operate various types of complex technical cleaning and sterilization equipment.
Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
Ability to perform duties safely and promotes special safety and health precautions as set forth in federal, state, hospital and industrial policies and standards.
Ability to read and understand instructions and guidelines and to read data indicators such as dials, timers, charts, color-coded strips, etc.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

Decontaminates, inspects, cleans, sorts, disassembles and reassembles complex surgical instrument and implant trays, operates automatic endoscope washers, sonic washers, and mechanical washer/decontaminators.
Performs microbicidal processes, standard/transmission-based precautions, engineering, and work practice controls.
Handles large volumes of complex, high dollar flexible endoscopes, delicate eye instruments, power equipment and different instrument patterns.
Accesses reference materials via computer systems, follows guides and instructions to assemble high volumes of complex of instrument and implant trays.
Inspects and evaluates instruments for function and cleanliness.
Confirms all quality assurance mechanisms are in place.
Labels, seals and documents all items processed.
Performs all aspects of sterilization, packaging inspection, equipment operation, safety procedures, proper documentation, and prioritization.
Sterilizes items per manufacturer’s instructions, verifies correct parameters used for all instruments.
Assembles instrument trays in accordance with patient/surgeon procedure specific cards within appropriate time frame and documents missing items.
Performs duties in a high stress environment, responds to emergencies and urgent add-on cases.
Receives and responds to a high volume of phone calls to provide additional items as needed.
Performs inventory management for high volume of supplies and implants.
Monitors and replenishes stock levels through use of multiple computer software programs and checks stock expiration dates.
Documents usages in inventory system, restocks items, and adds new items to inventory.
Performs regular biological monitoring of sterilizers to ensure sterilizer efficacy.
Conducts challenge tests on sterilization and decontamination equipment.
Performs preventative maintenance functions on all equipment.
Participates in and contributes to in-service programs on a regular basis.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Serves as lead technician by demonstrating expertise in all central sterilization processes.
Identifies operational concerns and takes corrective action.
Assigns technical duties to personnel and assumes responsibility for accurately completing shift duties.
Participates in assessment and monitoring of staff competency, provides feedback and support to assist with performance evaluations.
Under direction of the CST IIIs performs all aspects of training within their area of responsibility and documents employee training progress in training guides.
Performs transportation of contaminated and sterilized/ high level disinfected devices following infection prevention practices and organizational guidance.
Performs infection prevention processes to remove all contaminants (blood, tissue, fluids, bioburden, etc.) from surgical instruments, utensils and other surgical items.