Sterile Processing Tech

Great Plains Health•North Platte, NE

12d

About The Position

The Central Sterile Processing Technician follows infection control standards and manufacturer recommendations to clean, prepare, inspect, assemble, package, process, sterilize, and store medical and surgical supplies, equipment, implants, and instruments needed by medical, surgical, and nursing personnel to care for patients. The role handles surgical instruments, implants, equipment, and flexible endoscopes throughout the central sterile processing workflow, including decontamination, washing, counting, packing, sterilization, and storage. The technician also transports soiled and clean equipment between Central Sterile and patient care departments, operates and maintains processing equipment, follows required procedures when autoclaves malfunction, and works cooperatively with colleagues while maintaining attention to detail.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Good communication skills and effective interpersonal relationships.
Working knowledge of the central sterile processing flow process.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Follow infection control standards and manufacturer recommendations for processing medical and surgical supplies, equipment, implants, and instruments.
Perform duties associated with 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.
Use the instrument tracking system.
Understand proper functioning and testing of departmental autoclaves; follow procedures when an autoclave is not working properly, notify the department manager, submit a work order, and post an out-of-order sign.
Perform 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 high attention to detail throughout decontamination, washing, counting, packing, sterilization, and storage.
Work respectfully, cooperatively, and professionally with team members and comply with departmental and organizational policies.