Sterile Processing Assistant (Compliance and Innovation) - Stone - Compliance and Innovation

El Rio Health•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

A Sterile Processing Assistant supports daily sterilization operations for reusable medical or dental instruments and equipment, ensuring processing meets professional standards and requirements. The role involves decontaminating, cleaning, assembling, packing, sterilizing, storing, and distributing instruments and equipment. The incumbent may also perform administrative or clerical duties in support of departmental operations. Work is performed under general supervision and review; problems involving departures from standard policies, interpretations, or procedures are referred to a supervisor for direction and resolution. Duties are performed at locations assigned by management. The position requires maintaining a clean, safe, hygienic work environment and complying with applicable CDC, OSHA, AAMI, local, state, federal, and accrediting-agency requirements, including Joint Commission Certification standards. Employees must maintain proficiency with El Rio Health operating systems and software as they change. A Level I fingerprint clearance card is required, and employees must have reliable transportation for operational reassignments during the workday.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
Six months of experience in a related role or a position requiring similar skills, preferably in a healthcare environment.
A Level I fingerprint clearance card that is current and in good standing, or application for the card within seven working days after beginning employment; the card or fingerprint receipt must be submitted before the hire date or transfer date, and the Level One Non-IVP card must be received within 30 days after the hire or transfer date.
Reliable transportation capable of meeting organizational operational reassignments during the workday.
If driving during work hours, a valid driver’s license and compliance with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Employees must undergo drug testing before employment and may be subject to post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in accordance with applicable regulations.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to speak, read, and write in both languages.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered if directly related to the job’s functions and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Complete assigned duties and responsibilities within established time frames and performance standards, maintaining quality, efficiency, accuracy, and initiative.
Distribute sterile instruments to the correct locations and maintain inventory levels in the sterile processing area.
Perform environmental maintenance in the sterile processing area in accordance with CDC, OSHA, and AAMI guidelines.
Pick up, wash, decontaminate, clean, assemble, pack, sterilize, store, and distribute medical or dental instruments and equipment according to protocols, policies, procedures, and manufacturers’ instructions.
Maintain accurate and timely logs of autoclave loads and verify complete sterilization.
Inspect instruments for damage or defects, verify proper function and tray completion, and sort and arrange items into appropriate trays.
Position items correctly in sterilizers and select appropriate wash cycles.
Operate sterilizers, ultrasonic washers, and other processing equipment; monitor sterilizers and report equipment deficiencies promptly to a supervisor.
Assemble, wrap, and sterilize instrument trays in accordance with El Rio Sterilization policies and procedures and CDC, OSHA, and AAMI guidelines.
Label each item with its name and expiration date.
Monitor and respond to biological, physical, and chemical indicators to ensure sterilization quality and consistency.
Clean sterilizers and perform required biological monitoring tests according to established procedures.
Maintain compliance with local, state, federal, and accrediting-agency requirements related to sterilization activities.
Support established policies and procedures, performance objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection-prevention standards.
Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment, including work areas and workstations, and follow handwashing and infection-prevention and control requirements.
Demonstrate proficiency with compliance and reporting requirements applicable to the role under Joint Commission Certification standards.
Represent El Rio Health professionally and serve as a positive informational resource for community members.
Participate in community events promoting good health and awareness of El Rio Health services, as well as appropriate health care activities at local, state, and national levels.
Use materials, supplies, and equipment cost-effectively and limit waste.
Maintain proficiency with El Rio Health operating systems and software by learning and demonstrating new skills as systems and programs change or are upgraded.
Perform other duties as assigned.