Central Sterile Technician

Great Plains Health•North Platte, NE

About The Position

The Central Sterile Processing Technician follows infection control standards and manufacturer recommendations to clean, prepare, inspect, assemble, package, sterilize, and store medical and surgical supplies, equipment, implants, and instruments needed by medical, surgical, and nursing personnel for patient care. The role handles surgical instruments, implants, equipment, and flexible endoscopes throughout the central sterile processing workflow, from decontamination through sterilization and storage. The technician also collects soiled and contaminated items from patient care departments and delivers clean equipment and sterile items to those areas.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Possess visual acuity, hearing, and color discrimination within normal limits.
Possess fine motor coordination within normal limits.
Demonstrate good communication skills and effective interpersonal relationships.

Nice To Haves

Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification within two years of the date of hire is preferred.

Responsibilities

Follow the central sterile processing workflow and perform duties related to the care, handling, and sterilization of surgical instruments, implants, equipment, and flexible endoscopes.
Disassemble, clean, and disinfect instruments, equipment, and supplies returned to the decontamination room for reprocessing.
Operate, maintain, clean, and load washer/decontamination equipment, ultrasonic machines, steam, SFPP, and Sterrad sterilizers, cart washers, and other patient care equipment.
Demonstrate working knowledge of the instrument tracking system.
Understand proper functioning and testing of departmental autoclaves, follow processes when they are not working properly, notify the department manager, submit a work order, and post an out-of-order sign.
Make daily rounds to collect soiled equipment, contaminated instruments, and case carts from patient care departments and transport them to Central Sterile for reprocessing.
Deliver clean equipment, isolation and crash carts, sterile instruments, and other requested items to patient care areas in a timely manner.
Maintain a no-bug zone at the counting and packing table to reduce errors.
Maintain close attention to detail throughout decontamination, washing, counting, packing, sterilization, and storage.
Work respectfully, cooperatively, and professionally with team members, supporting positive interpersonal relationships, self-development, team effectiveness, and compliance with departmental and organizational policies.