Central Sterile Processing Technician, Sr.

UPMC•Lititz, PA

About The Position

Performs duties required for the proper decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, distribution, and documentation of reusable surgical instruments and equipment according to established procedures. Supports daily department operations by resolving routine questions, assisting with the orientation of new personnel, and assuming charge responsibilities when the department coordinator is absent. The schedule is Sunday through Thursday with an on-call rotation. The first week is on days, the second week is on nights Monday through Friday, and the third week follows the employee’s scheduled shift. Eligible candidates may receive a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000, based on years of experience. Applicants are placed in the appropriate job title based on experience and education.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
One year of Central Sterile Processing experience, or graduation from an accredited surgical technician/sterile processing program plus one year of Central Sterile Processing experience.
Specialized knowledge of instrumentation and equipment.
Complete 10 hours of continuing education annually to remain qualified as a Central Sterile Technician.
Able to stand throughout all shift hours and lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds.
Certification through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution or as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Certification is required at Pennsylvania and New York facilities, excluding Maryland, within 18 months of hire. Staff employed before December 28, 2020 are grandfathered and do not need to obtain certification.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain productive internal and external working relationships through teamwork, mentoring, and positive communication.
Coach colleagues on cultural diversity and address workplace horizontal violence and impairment.
Demonstrate accountability for safe work hours, time management, and healthy lifestyles.
Follow department policies concerning decontamination, sterile processing, infection control, and safety.
Independently manage the department on off-shifts and weekends or when the Coordinator is absent.
Communicate appropriately using effective interpersonal skills.
Prepare and assemble surgical trays and equipment according to established tray listings for issue, storage, or further processing.
Meet UPMC Core Values by responding responsibly, sensitively, accurately, promptly, coordinately, and thoroughly to the needs of patients, families, physicians, and coworkers.
Mentor, educate, and share knowledge with colleagues and healthcare team members; serve as a preceptor for student sterile processing technicians and help develop new preceptors.
Monitor, read, document, and interpret sterilizer parameters to ensure proper function.
Participate as a team member and remain accountable for assigned work.
Assess supplies for standard surgical procedures and set up case carts.
Maintain inventory and collect, disassemble, inspect, clean, disinfect, and reassemble instrument trays and patient care equipment.
Participate in the orientation of new associates.
Participate in and coordinate performance improvement activities, use performance improvement tools and techniques, and share learning from improvements.
Perform other related duties assigned by authorized personnel or required in emergency situations.
Use verbal and written communication skills to convey information, make recommendations, and support changes in unit practices; maintain comprehensive documentation that promotes communication between caregivers.
Apply critical thinking to clinical, social, safety, psychological, and spiritual issues, and incorporate professional, business-unit, and health-system goals into daily work.
Support a caring, compassionate, patient-focused experience and share new knowledge and innovations through presentations, posters, and publications.
Take responsibility for a surgical specialty, ensuring instrumentation is available and maintained in optimum working condition.
Pursue professional development, recommend improvements to clinical care and workplace health, participate in change initiatives, set priorities, and support colleagues and other disciplines.
Clean and decontaminate reusable equipment, instruments, and supplies manually and mechanically.
Maintain working knowledge of and troubleshoot decontamination and sterilization equipment.
Use time, motion, and materials economically to support cost containment.
Develop and improve skills through initiative and participation in educational programs.