Sterile Processing Specialist

University of Mississippi Medical Center•Jackson, MS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Specialist inspects, assembles, packages, and sterilizes surgical instrument pans, procedural trays, technical equipment, and surgical case carts for the OR and other areas. This role operates sterilizers, prepares and dispenses sterile items, and performs inspection, adjusting, cleaning, and general servicing of instruments and equipment. The specialist ensures instruments and equipment are operating properly before issuing, maintaining an accuracy rate of 98% or higher and a productivity rate of 90% or higher. Responsibilities include precepting and mentoring new employees, conducting audits in collaboration with the supervisor (trays, case carts, logs, tracking software, IUSS, and inventory), and assisting with the development of in-services for staff members. The role also involves monitoring and inventorying supplies, ensuring instrumentation availability for OR and clinical areas, and placing requests for missing instrument orders or par levels. The specialist is expected to invest time and energy in self-development and others, maintain strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, and actively engage in discussions about quality and safety, promptly addressing quality issues. This position facilitates interactions between Sterile Processing and the Operating Room, and the decisions and interpersonal skills used must foster an environment of caring and dedication. This job profile may require call, subject to the department's discretion.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required
Minimum 5 years of sterile processing experience
Any 2 (two) of the following certifications from either professional organization: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM) International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) Certified Healthcare Leadership (CHL) Other nationally recognized SPD certifications may be considered. National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
Knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy
Basic computer skills

Nice To Haves

Associates Degree preferred
Knowledge and expertise in one or more specialty services preferred
Leadership experience preferred
Advanced preceptor skills and experience in mentoring and coaching preferred
Independently performs non-routine tasks that significantly impact team and other related teams
Strong knowledge of function and maintenance of instrumentation in at least one surgical service-line is preferred (Ortho; Neuro; Endoscopy; General/GYN/Robotics; ENT/Plastics/Ophthalmology/Dental; Cardiac/Vascular/Thoracic)
Experience working in a large or Academic hospital setting preferred

Responsibilities

Ensures the cleaning, decontamination, sterilization, maintenance and preparation of surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies.
Ensures compliance with hospital policies and procedures pertaining to the cleaning, sterilization, assembling, storage, and/or validation of medical instrumentation, supplies, and equipment.
Assesses the equipment, instrument, and supply needs for surgical procedures and ensures availability.
Ensures the proper functioning of surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies before, during, and after surgical procedures.
Follows infection prevention policies, AORN recommendation practices, OSHA guidelines, AMII guidelines and other regulatory requirements in the daily practice in order to assure a safe work environment for self, coworkers, and patients.
Demonstrates core standards of exceptional customer service.
Operates sterilization equipment and washers and maintains quality/safety controls documentation.
Manages departmental requests for central service supplies; schedules and tracks equipment use.
Collaborates and maintains control and maintenance of inventory; orders supplies; documents equipment use and cart supplies; maintains applicable records and files.
Assists with the management of daily activities and supervision, scheduling and/or employee training.
Inspects, assembles, packages and sterilizes surgical instrument pans, procedural trays, technical equipment, and surgical case carts for the OR and other areas.
Operates sterilizers, prepares and dispenses sterile items.
Performs inspection, adjusting, cleaning and general servicing of instruments and equipment for the OR, internal hospital departments and off-site agencies.
Helps precept and mentor new employees.
Conducts audits in collaboration with supervisor, to include trays, case carts, logs, tracking software, IUSS and inventory.
Assist with development of in-services for staff members.
Performs monitoring and inventorying supplies and ensures instrumentation is available for OR and clinical areas.
Puts in requests for missing instrument orders and instrument par needed to maintain functioning instrument trays.
Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance and gain knowledge in new areas.
Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.
Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality and safety; directly addresses quality issues promptly.
Facilitates the interactions between the SPD and OR.