Central Service Tech I - 2nd Shift - North Liberty Hospital

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

9d•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. This position will be located within Medical Center North Liberty. The schedule is Monday through Friday from 1550 to 2330, with a Saturday rotation every 6 weeks, plus occasional holiday coverage. The role involves decontaminating, inspecting, cleaning, sorting, disassembling, and reassembling complex surgical instrument and implant trays, operating various washing and decontaminating equipment. Responsibilities include performing microbicidal processes, handling large volumes of specialized equipment, accessing reference materials via computer systems, assembling instrument trays according to specific cards, inspecting instruments for function and cleanliness, confirming quality assurance mechanisms, and documenting processed items. The technician will perform all aspects of sterilization, packaging inspection, equipment operation, safety procedures, documentation, and prioritization, ensuring correct parameters are used for all instruments. They will assemble instrument trays within appropriate timeframes and document missing items. The role requires performing duties in a high-stress environment, responding to emergencies and urgent cases, and handling a high volume of phone calls. Inventory management for supplies and implants is also a key responsibility, including monitoring and replenishing stock levels, documenting usages, restocking items, and adding new items to inventory. Regular biological monitoring of sterilizers and conducting challenge tests on sterilization and decontamination equipment are essential. The technician will also perform preventative maintenance on all equipment and participate in in-service programs. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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.
Ability to move 25 lbs, push/pull, and perform repetitive motions.
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.
Upload a resume that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.

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.