Certified Sterile Processing Tech

Allied Physicians Surgery Center LLC•South Bend, IN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Sterile Processing Tech decontaminates and prepares all trays, instrumentation, and equipment for sterilization at the Center. This role involves reprocessing instrumentation between cases in a timely manner, maintaining the pack cart, and performing regular equipment checks, including autoclave QI programs and record-keeping. The position also assists in moving and positioning patients as time allows and is responsible for maintaining a clean and safe environment, particularly during the turnover of surgery suites between cases and assisting with terminal cleaning at the end of the day.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills required to facilitate effective interaction with a variety of health care professionals.
Significant prior knowledge and experience working with surgical instrumentation and equipment required.
Prior experience working with an instrument tray system and sterile wrapping techniques (single and double wrapping, peel pouches) required.
Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and to organize work in order of importance, prioritizing to achieve unit and Center goals.
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
Maintains all required certifications (BLS).
Adheres to OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions for exposure to blood and body fluids at all times, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Follows AORN Recommended Practices and Center policies at all times.

Nice To Haves

Certification in sterile stores processing preferred.
Familiarity with medical terminology preferred or required to complete a course in medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Washes/decontaminates and assures presence of all instrumentation in tray, prepares for processing and correctly labels all instruments and trays used at Center.
Prepares for safe processing and storage of small or peel-pouched supplies.
Demonstrates knowledge of cleaning and processing methods, according to AORN standards and manufacturer recommendations, all types of instruments and equipment utilized within the Center for sterilization.
Demonstrates proficiency in utilization of equipment such as autoclave, Steris, and ultrasonic cleaner, according to AORN standards, Center policy/procedures and manufacturer's recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to process instruments efficiently and properly between cases and at end of schedule.
Returns sterile trays, instruments and equipment to their proper storage location after processing.
Regularly checks trays, instrumentation and sterile equipment for outdate or compromised package integrity.
Maintains pack cart, communicating restocking needs appropriately and restocking cart when delivery received.
Performs daily/weekly Quality Assurance testing and maintains documentation/logs.
Assists clinical staff with maintenance of physician preference cards, pick lists, and instrument inventory / count sheets.
Assists with the picking of cases accurately and completely.
Communicates need to order any supplies needed for QA or processing functions.
Performs some housekeeping duties, as assigned, such as maintenance of the scrub sink areas in a safe and clean order by regularly mopping floor, cleaning sinks, and emptying trash as needed throughout the day.
Distributes packs to be processed for sterility.
Assists visitors, staff and physicians, utilizing good guest relations.
Acts as a resource person to staff regarding instrumentation and processing equipment and techniques.
Adheres to OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions for exposure to blood and body fluids at all times, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Follows AORN Recommended Practices and Center policies at all times.
Participates in the orientation of new employees, students and other approved programs.
Participates in Center Quality Improvement Program activities including identification of aspects of care, collection and analysis of data, implementation of a plan for improvement and evaluation of the process.
Attends Center staff and unit meetings and educational opportunities.
Maintains all required certifications (BLS). Performs effectively in emergency situations.
Prioritizes job responsibilities to facilitate efficient and optimum patient care.
Demonstrates ability to work efficiently in a busy environment, giving attention to details.
Demonstrates flexibility in meeting the needs of the unit and the Center.
Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.