Sterile Processing Tech II, PRN

University of Maryland Medical System•Baltimore, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this role is responsible for preparing, sterilizing, storing, and issuing medical/surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment in accordance with departmental and hospital policies and procedures. The position also performs and/or assists in decontamination and distribution of medical/surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment. The Sterile Processing Tech II must possess the knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care and understand the specific diagnostic needs of patients served. This includes assessing and interpreting patient data to identify specific needs for pediatric, adolescent, and/or geriatric patient groups, considering culture and diagnostic specifics. The role emphasizes compassion, courtesy, and support for patients and their families, effective communication and collaboration with surgical and anesthesia teams, and maintaining a safe environment, particularly concerning fire safety and the care of implants. The position also involves mentoring peers, orientees, and students, providing performance feedback, and acting as a positive team leader. Key technical skills include recognizing and addressing equipment/instrumentation problems, adhering to cleaning and sterilization processes, critical thinking related to surgical instrumentation, performing decontamination activities, inspecting and assembling instrumentation, operating steam sterilizers and related equipment, dispensing instruments/equipment, and ensuring quality and patient safety by complying with TJC National Patient Safety Goals. Cost-effectiveness is promoted through efficient work practices, cost reduction, and identifying new technologies. The role also requires maintaining competency and recertification, attending in-services, and completing training exercises.

Requirements

Completion of high school level of coursework with attainment of a high school diploma or State High School Equivalency Certificate (GED).
Demonstrated progress toward certification within one year is required.
A minimum of one year Central Sterile Processing experience or successful completion of a recognized OR Central Sterile program is required.
Basic knowledge of the use of a PC and computerized database system or demonstrated ability to learn within one year.
Ability to read, write, speak English and perform simple mathematical operations for inventory purposes, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to follow detailed written or verbal instructions accurately.
Ability to operate potentially hazardous sterilizing equipment and related equipment.
Ability to learn new concepts and techniques and to transfer knowledge into performance regarding basic principles of microbiology, infection control, safety, and computerized recordkeeping.
Ability to stand and walk approximately 50% of the time.
Ability to lift equipment up to no more than 50 pounds.
Ability to push/pull carts of instruments, supplies, and/or equipment.
Ability to handle potentially hazardous materials, such as high temperatures of steam, decontamination chemicals, and sharp instruments.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrate ability to safely operate and perform routine care and cleaning of 444 washer.
Demonstrates UNIVERSAL precautions.
Demonstrates ability to operate steam sterilizer including documentation, loading, unloading, and safety.
Demonstrates ability to operate Sterrad sterilizer including documentation, loading, unloading, and safety.
Demonstrate ability to interpret results of Bowie Dick, biological test pack, mechanical printouts, and Sterrad biological.
Demonstrates care and handling of instruments including cleanliness and proper function.
Appropriately labels instruments and sets.
Wraps instruments in appropriate packaging.

Nice To Haves

PRN as needed for shifts: 11A-730P; 1P-930P

Responsibilities

Prepares, sterilizes, stores, and issues medical/surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment.
Performs and/or assists in decontamination and distribution of medical/surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment.
Assesses and interprets data about the patient’s status to identify specific needs and provide appropriate care.
Works effectively with surgical and anesthesia teams to assure surgical instrumentation and equipment availability.
Uses verbal, interpersonal, and teamwork skills to provide assistance to team members.
Maintains safety of the Operating Room and surrounding area during daily practice, following fire safety policies.
Maintains safe practices and environment involving the care of implants, following recommended procedures for sterilization and care/cleaning.
Models excellence in customer service.
Uses hand-off communication to convey appropriate instrumentation and surgical case information.
Identifies and addresses potential breeches in patient information management and confidentiality (HIPAA) issues.
Serves as a collaborative resource within surgical services.
Mentors and provides an inclusive environment for peers, orientees, and students.
Provides performance feedback as requested within peer review systems.
Voices difference in opinion professionally through appropriate channels.
Serves as a positive team leader through initiative, involvement, and availability.
Recognizes and acts on all potential or actual equipment and/or instrumentation problems.
Demonstrates diligent adherence to cleaning and sterilization processes.
Models critical thinking and clinical competency related to surgical instrumentation and equipment requirements.
Performs and/or assists with decontamination activities.
Inspects, assembles, and prepares instrumentation for sterilization.
Appropriately labels instruments and sets.
Wraps instruments in appropriate packaging.
Operates steam sterilizers and related equipment, loads and unloads instruments properly, and recognizes equipment malfunctions.
Dispenses instruments/equipment to surgical team.
Demonstrates diligence in ensuring the safety of the clinical environment.
Demonstrates knowledge, practice, and accountability for compliance with the TJC National Patient Safety Goals.
Detects, reports, and takes action to avoid or correct safety risks.
Uses safe practices transporting instruments from OR rooms, decontamination room, and the sterilization room.
Modifies work practices in response to industry trends and changes in sterile processing methods and standards.
Employs practices that improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Effectively sets priorities and demonstrates time management skills.
Adheres to scheduled shifts in compliance with staffing targets and guidelines.
Assists in identifying new technologies that reduce the cost of care or improve patient outcomes.
Independently completes written requests for time off and exception forms for unanticipated schedule changes.
Assumes responsibility for maintaining competency and recertification.
Addresses learning needs of self.
Attends required in-services and staff meetings.
Completes required written training exercises.