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

El Rio Community Health Center•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 includes decontaminating, cleaning, assembling, packing, sterilizing, storing, and distributing instruments and equipment. The employee may also perform administrative or clerical duties supporting departmental operations and works under general supervision, referring problems involving departures from standard policies or procedures to a supervisor. The position performs environmental maintenance and inventory duties in the sterile processing area and processes instruments according to applicable El Rio Health policies and procedures, manufacturer instructions, and CDC, OSHA, and AAMI guidelines. It also supports quality improvement, safety, environmental, infection prevention, and Joint Commission Certification compliance requirements. The employee may be assigned to locations and duties by management. Employees are required to have a Level One fingerprint clearance card or meet the stated submission requirements. Reliable transportation is required for possible workday reassignments; employees who drive during work hours must have a valid driver’s license and comply with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements. Employees are required to undergo pre-employment drug testing and may be subject to additional testing as described in the posting.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
Six months of experience in a related role or a position requiring similar skills; healthcare experience is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if directly related to the job functions and responsibilities.
Current, valid Level I fingerprint clearance card in good standing, or application submitted within seven working days after beginning employment; the posting also states that required fingerprint documentation must be submitted before hire or transfer and that the Level One Non-IVP card must be received within 30 days after hire or transfer.
Reliable transportation capable of meeting organizational workday reassignment needs.
A valid driver’s license and compliance with Arizona vehicle insurance requirements if driving during work hours.
Undergo pre-employment drug testing and comply with applicable post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing requirements.
Maintain required skills proficiency with organizational operating systems and software.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish skills, including the ability to speak, read, and write in both languages.
Six months of related experience in a healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

Perform assigned duties and complete work within established time frames and quality and quantity standards.
Distribute sterile instruments to the correct locations.
Maintain the sterile processing environment and inventory levels in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Pick up, wash, decontaminate, clean, assemble, pack, sterilize, store, and distribute medical or dental instruments and equipment.
Maintain accurate and timely logs of autoclave loads, verify sterilization, and assemble instrument trays.
Prepare instruments according to manufacturer instructions and inspect for damage, defects, proper function, and tray completeness.
Sort and arrange items into trays according to established procedures; position items in sterilizers and select the proper wash cycle.
Operate sterilizers, ultrasonic washers, and other processing equipment; monitor sterilizers and report equipment deficiencies promptly.
Sterilize instruments and equipment using steam processing and clean sterilizers according to established procedures.
Assemble, wrap, and sterilize instrument trays in accordance with El Rio Sterilization policies and applicable CDC, OSHA, and AAMI guidelines.
Label each item with its name and expiration date.
Monitor biological, physical, and chemical indicators and perform required biological monitoring tests on sterilizers.
Maintain compliance with local, state, federal, and accrediting agency requirements for sterilization activities.
Support policies, performance objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection prevention standards.
Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic work environment, including work areas, workstations, examination rooms, handwashing, and infection prevention and control practices.
Demonstrate proficiency with compliance and reporting requirements applicable to the role under Joint Commission Certification standards.
Represent El Rio Health professionally and support its mission and vision as a positive source of information for the community.
Participate in community events promoting health and awareness of El Rio Health services, and in appropriate healthcare 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, learning and demonstrating new skills as systems and programs change.
Perform other duties as assigned.