Sterile Processing Associate: 40 hrs/ week Days
About The Position
Albany Med is currently seeking a Sterile Processing Associate to join our team. This role involves receiving, sorting, disassembling, and processing contaminated instruments and equipment according to established Infection Control procedures. Responsibilities include removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, and body fluids through various cleaning methods, assembling instrument sets, documenting missing items, and correcting any issues with instrument sets. The associate will also sterilize instruments, equipment, linen, and supplies using autoclaves and aerators, and reprocess equipment via high-level disinfection. Accurate documentation of all decontamination, assembly, disinfection, and sterilization activities in the Instrument Tracking System is crucial. The role requires observing and interpreting biological, mechanical, and chemical monitors, recording results, and initiating recalls as needed. Issuing items to customers and departments according to established procedures is also part of the job. The associate is expected to report unfamiliar items, equipment requiring repair, and intervene with corrections to variances in processing practices.
Requirements
- Certification as a Sterile Processing Technician from either CBSPD or HSPA
- Applicants without Sterile Processing (CRCST) are required to obtain CRCST certification via HSPA within ONE (1) year of meeting the eligibility requirements to sit for the certification exam.
- Eligibility is defined by HSPA as "10 weeks (400 hours) experience" in a Sterile Processing hospital setting.
Responsibilities
- Receives, sorts, disassembles and processes contaminated instruments and equipment using the procedures and guidelines as established by Infection Control.
- Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments and body fluids by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing and using ultrasonic or other mechanical methods, as applicable.
- Assembles all instrument sets following prescribed manner and as outlined on the Instrument Count Sheets.
- Properly documents missing items from the set and labels sets correctly.
- Takes action to correct problems with instrument sets and reports any unresolved issues.
- Sterilizes instruments, equipment, linen and supplies using various types of autoclaves and aerators.
- Reprocesses equipment via high level disinfection as appropriate.
- Loads and operates machinery in prescribed manner and sets controls to correct specifications for the items being sterilized.
- Properly documents all activities related to instrument/equipment decontamination, assembly, disinfection, and sterilization in the Instrument Tracking System (TDOC, SPM, Censitrac) or established manual systems.
- Observe and interpret biological, mechanical and chemical monitors relevant to processing/sterilizing.
- Record results and maintains required records.
- Initiates recalls as required.
- Issues items to customers and departments according to established procedures.
- Observes and reports to supervisor any unfamiliar items with or without appropriate processing literature.
- Reports equipment requiring repair as needed.
- Is self-directed and intervenes with corrections to variances in the processing practice.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
