Instrument Sterilization Technician

HealthPartners•Anoka, MN

About The Position

Riverway Clinic is hiring an Instrument Sterilization Technician to join its Gastroenterology team. The role supports patient care and service excellence through effective partnerships with internal and external partners. Under the direction of the Sterile Processing Department Manager, SPD Supervisor/Coordinator, and lead technician, the technician handles, cleans, disinfects, assembles, and sterilizes instrumentation and patient-related equipment so items are safe for handling and use. The position also monitors, stocks, and fills supplies, assists with department maintenance, and supports operating suites in providing patient care. The technician operates sterilizers and maintains sterilization records, monitors sterilization results, and transports and stores sterile supplies appropriately. The role includes decontaminating instruments and equipment, inspecting and assembling instruments, preparing instrument sets for sterilization, ensuring equipment is in good working order, and prioritizing work according to demand, schedules, and available resources. The work schedule is four days per week.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Formal education in sterilization or at least six months of experience in sterile processing or surgical instrumentation.
Successful completion of sterilization, decontamination, and instrumentation competencies within six months of hire.
Ability to organize effectively and establish priorities.
Understanding of regulations and procedures.
Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments.
Knowledge of common safety hazards and universal precautions for establishing safe working conditions.
Ability to maintain records, write reports, and respond to correspondence.
Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, and the public.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures.
Ability to communicate clearly.
Ability to work quickly under pressure.
Ability to work productively as a team member.

Responsibilities

Observe safety precautions associated with sterilization methods.
Load, unload, and operate sterilizers according to policies and procedures.
Complete monitoring paperwork and sterilization and instrument-set records within required timelines.
Maintain the sterility of equipment and supplies and inspect chemical indicators for contamination.
Transport, handle, and store sterile instruments and supplies according to applicable standards.
Process, incubate, and interpret biological tests and take action based on results.
Analyze load construction and sterilization parameters, including steam, hydrogen peroxide, and ethylene oxide, and intervene as indicated.
Maintain an organized environment that supports sub-sterile and restricted-space principles and basic asepsis.
Handle instruments and equipment appropriately in decontamination areas and follow applicable policies, procedures, and cleaning instructions.
Sort and organize instrument sets and equipment for decontamination and select appropriate cleaning methods.
Presoak and manually clean or wash instruments and load instruments in the Medivator.
Ensure instruments and equipment are safe for handling and use before they enter the clean room.
Inspect and reassemble clean instruments and equipment according to standard operating procedures.
Sort instruments by type and assemble instrument sets according to the appropriate recipe.
Prepare instrument sets in rigid containers or for wrapping, identify them properly, and enter them into the sterilization queue.
Ensure instruments and equipment are in good working order and recommend repairs or replacement as appropriate.
Stay current with new instruments, equipment, and tracking-system changes.
Respond promptly to orders from external clients.
Maintain appropriate levels of sterile instrument sets and individual instruments in relation to scheduling.
Prioritize work according to direction and demand while monitoring workflow and timing in light of available resources.
Monitor, stock, and fill supplies; assist with department maintenance; and support operating suites in patient care.
Perform other duties as assigned.