Certified Sterile Processing Tech - SPD Tech - Full Time - 11:00 pm - 7:30 am

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Certified Sterile Processing Technician works under the direct supervision of the SPD Manager or SPD Shift Lead Tech and collaborates with members of the Surgical and Sterile Processing Team. The role requires professionalism, ethical conduct, the ability to complete assigned tasks, and effective use of available resources and references. Using knowledge of sterilization processes, the technician works independently in a changing technical environment and performs duties associated with decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and dispatch of sterile instruments and equipment. The technician participates in unit quality-control activities, understands the role’s connection to patient care, and helps maintain a safe environment for team members and patients. The position involves processing instruments and supplies in accordance with safety and sterilization procedures; inspecting, cleaning, assembling, wrapping, labeling, and sterilizing items; maintaining processing records and indicators; and ensuring processed items are stored and available when requested. Duties also include restocking supplies, transporting trash and dirty linen, signing out equipment, and completing surgery requisitions. The posted schedule is full-time, 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
National certification in Sterile Processing, maintenance of 12 continuing education points per year for continued Core Course completion status or certification, or Surgical Technologist Certification is required for the position.
Precise hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
Appropriate knowledge of instruments and their assembly, including laparoscopy instruments.
Knowledge of priority instruments and equipment and how to process them accordingly.
Knowledge of proper inspection of filters and seals and placement of containers.
Understanding of sterilization principles and the importance of the sterilization process, including correct procedures for loading and operating sterilizers.
Ability to read, write, reason, talk, and use a keyboard.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently.

Nice To Haves

Six months of experience in Sterile Processing.
Other healthcare experience is desired.

Responsibilities

Decontaminate supplies and equipment according to safety guidelines.
Inspect and clean washer drains, load washers correctly, and remove blood and bone from needles and instruments.
Assemble instruments before washer/decontaminator processing and properly process hand-washed items.
Use a Sonic Irrigator to flush the lumens of laparoscopy instruments.
Transport trash and dirty linen and restock the decontamination area.
Inspect instruments for proper working order and accurately assemble trays and sets.
Replace plates, screws, and implants as needed and note items that must be reordered.
Tape and label packages with item identification, initials, and date; place appropriate chemical indicator strips in packages.
Follow proper wrapping procedures and use appropriate wrapping materials and techniques.
Dry containers before placing sets inside and match containers with the correct labels.
Fold and wrap linen into packs for various departments.
Assist with starting autoclaves and Sterrad equipment when time permits.
Place Bowie-Dick test packs and biological test packs in sterilizers as appropriate.
Review and complete control log sheets and load cards, including sterilization load-sheet information for each load type.
Follow guidelines for sterilizer cool-down procedures.
Place wrapped items and containers in the appropriate bins and locations so processed items are available when requested.
Keep autoclaves running on a timely basis; check biological indicators and record results.
Use proper technique when placing biological indicators in or removing them from the incubator.
Sign out equipment from the equipment room and complete surgery requisitions.
Participate in unit quality-control activities and help maintain a safe environment for team members and patients.