Certified Sterile Processing Technician

Cayuga Medical Center

20d

About The Position

The Certified Sterile Processing Technician performs assigned duties under the direction of a licensed professional or management team member. The role participates in decontamination, cleaning, assembling, packaging, scanning, sterilization, storage, and distribution of reusable surgical instruments and equipment. The technician operates autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, washer sterilizers, and other equipment used to process surgical instruments, and collaborates with surgical staff and management on inventory control, expense reduction, and instrument requests. The technician also receives, disinfects, and redistributes equipment and soft goods in the Central Services area. This position reports to the Business Operations Director of Perioperative Services. The role supports instrument processing and maintenance, surgical case preparation, equipment and supply distribution, inventory management, and quality, safety, and infection-control practices. It requires responding to time-sensitive instrument turnover requests while ensuring safe and appropriate processing, maintaining a clean work area, and providing attentive, caring service to patients and customers.

Requirements

Knowledge of applicable sanitary, infection-control, and safety standards sufficient to perform assignments safely.
Successfully pass a nationally accredited central service exam for central service technicians and hold and maintain one of the following credentials from a nationally accredited credentialing organization: Certified Registered Central Service Technician, Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician, or a substantially equivalent credential.
Provide evidence of employment or contracted central service technician work in a healthcare facility for a cumulative period of one year, occurring within the four years immediately prior to January 1, 2015.
Complete 10 contact hours or CEU credits annually.
A central service technician who does not initially meet the credential requirements must obtain the Certified Registered Central Service Technician or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician credential within 18 months of hire and maintain certification.
Meet the physical demands of an active position, including reaching above the head, extensive walking, stooping, standing, and lifting light to heavy objects most of the day.
No CPR certification is required.

Responsibilities

Clean and process scopes and surgical instruments according to the appropriate hand-washing or machine-processing requirements.
Determine the correct sterilization method for surgical items and operate processing equipment.
Coordinate instrument repairs by identifying leaks, worn or loose parts, and other signs of malfunction; work with Operating Room staff to ensure adequate instrument availability.
Perform biological testing on autoclaves and chemical disinfectors, update charts and logs, and guide just-in-time processing requests for implants and other items.
Pick surgical cases and prepare carts for scheduled and add-on cases.
Process, clean, and sterilize instruments; interpret tray manufacturing lists and recognize instruments by name and service usage.
Maintain instruments, including routine care such as milking and oiling.
Operate autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, and other processing equipment.
Maintain instrument tray lists.
Check sterile supplies to confirm they are stored to maintain sterility and that packaging is intact.
Assist with processing items for all areas and respond to time-sensitive instrument turnover requests while ensuring safe processing.
Work independently to accomplish daily goals.
Maintain equipment labels and coordinate changes to preference cards with Operating Room professional staff.
Sanitize, maintain, and distribute equipment, instruments, and soft medical supplies to hospital departments and AMS clinics.
Order supplies from the Storeroom and outside vendors to maintain inventory and Central Service par levels.
Conduct daily patient charges for distributed medical supplies and equipment.
Coordinate pickup and delivery of instruments, equipment, and medical supplies; verify equipment function, arrange repair or replacement, and remove defective equipment.
Coordinate with the Storeroom, Purchasing Department, and Clinical Engineering to provide specialty equipment throughout the AOMC campus.
Maintain Code Carts and Isolation Carts.
Maintain a clean work area and support departmental policies, quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards.
Attend annual mandatory educational programs required for the position.
Interact with patients and customers in a friendly, caring, attentive manner and maintain communication to provide a secure and pleasant experience.
Perform other duties related to instrument processing and sterilization as assigned.