Lead Sterile Processing Tech - Full Time

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Omaha, NE

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System? At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in. Job Summary: Location: Methodist Women's Hospital Address: 707 N. 190th Plaza, Elkhorn, NE Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 3:00pm to 11:30pm Sterilization Technicians play an essential role in patient safety by sorting, assembling, sterilizing and distributing instrumentation from all areas of the hospital. This is a hands-on role that includes routine maintenance, instrument tracking, preparing accurate records, and maintaining a working knowledge of sterilization and disinfection methods required for specific instruments and equipment. As a Sterilization Technician, you will be responsible for following universal precautions, infection control policies, federal regulations, and standard policies and procedures within the organization. Responsibilities of the Lead SPD Tech include scheduling, organizing, and providing work direction to meet production goals, assuring policies/procedures are maintained according to established guidelines. The Tech Lead position is part of the work production in addition to serving as liaison and resource for staff and customers regarding sterilization, processing of surgical instruments, and sterile instrument storage.

Requirements

High School Diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D) preferred.
Two to three years' experience in a surgical environment preferred with progressively more responsibility. To systematically evaluate technical processes, develop and accurately communicate those processes to both staff and customers to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the services provided.
Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician (CSPDT) certification or Certified Register Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification or successful completion of Surgical Technology training program, or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification with instrumentation experience required.
Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification preferred.
Requires the ability to logically assess information, concepts and ideas.
To systematically evaluate technical processes, develop and accurately communicate those processes to both staff and customers to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the services provided.
Customer service and Team building skills a must.

Nice To Haves

One year managerial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Processes, sorts, assembles, and distributes contaminated and non-contaminated instruments and equipment to construct clean accurate sets which are in good repair by using special techniques and procedures of Universal Barrier Precautions. Follows procedures for manual cleaning process. Follows procedures for automated cleaning process. Proper use of chemicals and knowledge of MSDS forms. Practices Universal precautions, Infection Control policies and observes safe work practices. Communicates to appropriate personnel regarding sharps, punctures and other potential risks. Operates decontamination machinery in strict accordance with departmental procedures. Adheres to using personal protective equipment (PPE) while working in decontamination.
Distributes instruments sets to ensure receipt by departments in a timely manner as directed by supervisory staff, as requested by customers and as deemed necessary by technician. Accurately delivers sterile items in the correct location as designated in Sterile Processing Department (SPD). Responds to Operating Room (OR)/Outpatient Surgery (OPS)'s requests in a timely manner.
Prepares surgical instruments and related supplies to ensure surgical instrument sets are assembled accurately and completely by following recipe card. Precisely follows individual recipe sheets for each set/tray/item being assembled. Replace lost or damaged instruments as required to complete the set/tray. Conducts quality checks on instruments for cleanliness, function, defects, breakage and overall condition. Flushes all instruments with lumens or cannulated.
Keeps accurate records of sterilization and of all equipment in the department to comply with federal and other external regulations by following guidelines in department policy and procedure manual. Maintains SPD's equipment service log. Maintains accurate sterilization records/documentation. Follows protocol for scanning bar coded items. Scanning items to the proper stations and locations. Sterilization records entered accurately into the sterilization module. Consistently records accurate load control numbers. Consistently verifies and initials all records according to policy.
Orders supplies to ensure adequate inventory by adhering to par levels.
Performs sterile linen processing to ensure availability of sterile linen, by following established guidelines. Correctly assembles and wrap linen packs according to guidelines. Keeps sterile linen stocked to the set par levels. Proper wrapping techniques used when using non-woven wrapper. Proper packaging techniques used when using paper peel pouches. Proper techniques and supplies used when using rigid containers.
Loads and unloads sterilization carts to ensure smooth and timely processing and delivery of sterile instruments and supplies by carefully and properly handling items on the cart as outlined in department procedure manual. Operate sterilizers in strict accordance with departmental procedures. Followings policy and procedures for steam sterilization. Followings policy and procedures for Gas plasma sterilization. Understands and interprets mechanical, chemical and biological indicators. Prepare sterilization loads according to sterilization method and policies. Incubates self contained biologicals according to protocol.
Performs preceptor and staffing duties, and trains new employees using departmental skills checklists and competency checklists to assure optimal performance. Assumes responsibility for the assigned shift in the absence of the Service Leader. Maintains work assignments and work flow when in charge. Assists in teaching/training staff and students. Is a resource person for Sterile Processing Technician I. Maintains competence in area of expertise and certification.
Performs all other duties as needed or assigned by Service Leader to align related needs with effective solutions. Assists in unpacking the department's supply order. Assigned to orient and Train new staff. Reviews the check-off manuals and follows up with new staff for their first 6 months. Assist with developing processes to attain expected outcomes for service processing services. Support and integrate current evidence into servile processing services. Provide guidance, support and constructive feedback to sterile processing services team. Pursue professional growth and participation in a professional organization.