Central Sterile Processing Technician 2, Full Time

University of Miami•Coral Gables, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Central Sterile Processing Technician 2 is responsible for preparing supplies and equipment for use during patient procedures, achieving competency in two areas of sterile processing. This role involves receiving, processing, stocking, and distributing supplies. The technician will clean and disinfect equipment requiring decontamination or sterilization, perform assembly, packing, sterilization, documentation, handle implantable devices, and manage case carts, emergency carts, and supplies for surgical nursing units and ancillary departments, assisting with daily operational flow. The position requires sterilizing instruments, equipment, and utensils using various types of autoclaves and high-level disinfection equipment, and selecting appropriate sterilization methods. Quality control is maintained through routine testing and cleaning to ensure sterilization equipment and instruments are functioning properly. The technician will load autoclaves and/or disinfect equipment according to prescribed methods, setting controls for specified time and temperature based on material requirements. Reading and initialing sterilization records to verify appropriate sterilization cycles and maintaining documentation records are crucial. Assigned work areas and equipment must be kept clean and organized to meet standards for handling sterilized and clean materials and to maintain a safe work environment. Emergency requests are prioritized, and required supplies and equipment are issued based on the intended procedure. Materials, instruments, and supplies are assembled and wrapped according to established aseptic technique and manufacturer recommendations. Assistance is provided in locating instruments stored in the Instrument Room. Customer service is delivered professionally to internal and external customers with knowledge, effective communication, and a customer-focused approach, respecting patient, co-worker, and customer privacy. Follow-through to ensure expectations are met and keeping customers informed of progress are key. Other duties include examining sterilization/expiration dates, reporting inoperable equipment, maintaining adequate stock levels, testing sterilization equipment effectiveness, storing new and reprocessed equipment and supplies, cleaning shelves and work areas, and ordering replacement instruments. Accessing Physician Preference Cards ensures equipment availability. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage is enforced for all staff in the decontamination room. Daily checks of humidity, temperature, and pressure readings for decontamination and sterile processing rooms ensure compliance with regulatory agencies. The role also involves evaluating all instruments, carts, and equipment for cleanliness and proper functioning, decontaminating reusable instruments, trays, and carts, and monitoring inventory to ensure adequate supplies are properly stored and rotated. Adherence to AAMI, OSHA, CDC, and AORN standards is required. Sterilization records and Biological readings are performed and reviewed daily, with any discrepancies reported immediately. Telephone and overhead page responses are prompt, clear, and polite. The position provides overall expertise, training, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring of all cleaning procedures and sterilization methods. Maintaining a clean, orderly work area and acting as a mentor or preceptor to less experienced staff and new employees are important aspects of the role. Ensuring adherence to department policies and procedures, scope of practice, and enforcing safety practices are also key responsibilities. Maintaining professional competence and certification is required. Adherence to UHEALTH Standards of Behavior is expected.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Current certification as a CBSPD or CRCST is required.
Minimum of 1 year of experience in related fields is required.
Member of IAHCSMM or CBSPD organization required.
General knowledge of office procedures and operations.
Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
Proficiency in computer software (i.e. Microsoft Office).
Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, files, reports and correspondence.

Responsibilities

Prepare supplies and equipment for patient procedures.
Achieve competency in two areas of sterile processing.
Receive, process, stock, and distribute supplies.
Clean and disinfect equipment requiring decontamination or sterilization.
Perform assembly, packing, sterilization, and documentation.
Handle implantable devices, case carts, and emergency carts.
Sterilize instruments, equipment, and utensils using various autoclaves and high-level disinfection equipment.
Select appropriate sterilization methods.
Perform quality control through routine testing and cleaning of sterilization equipment and instruments.
Load autoclaves and/or disinfect equipment according to prescribed methods, setting controls for specified time and temperature.
Read and initial sterilization records to verify appropriate sterilization cycles.
Maintain appropriate sterilization documentation records.
Maintain assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition.
Assign priority to emergency requests and issue required supplies and equipment.
Assemble and wrap materials, instruments, and supplies according to established aseptic technique and manufacturer recommendations.
Assist with locating instruments stored in the Instrument Room.
Provide customer service in a professional demeanor.
Follow through to ensure established expectations are satisfied and keep customers informed of progress.
Examine sterilization/expiration dates when applicable.
Report inoperable equipment.
Maintain adequate levels of stocked sterilization supplies.
Test effectiveness of sterilization equipment according to procedure.
Store new and reprocessed equipment and supplies.
Clean shelves and work areas as necessary.
Order replacement instruments.
Access Physician Preference Cards to ensure equipment availability.
Ensure PPE is used by all staff working within the decontamination room.
Check humidity, temperature, and pressure readings daily for decontamination and sterile processing rooms.
Evaluate all instruments, carts, and equipment for cleanliness and proper functioning ability.
Decontaminate all reusable instruments, trays, and carts, using proper equipment.
Monitor inventory and assure that supplies are adequate, properly stored, and rotated.
Follow AAMI, OSHA, CDC and AORN standards.
Perform and review all sterilization records and Biological readings on a daily basis and report any discrepancies immediately.
Respond to telephone and overhead page promptly, clearly, and politely.
Provide overall expertise, training, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring of all cleaning procedures/sterilization methods.
Maintain a clean, orderly work area.
Act as a mentor or preceptor to less experienced staff and new employees.
Ensure that Policy and Procedures of the department and scope of practice are followed.
Enforce safety practices in the workplace overseeing that safe work practices are followed.
Maintain professional competence and certification.
Adhere to UHEALTH Standards of Behavior.