Sterile Processing Technician 1

WVU Medicine

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Receives, cleans, decontaminates, and sterilizes reusable patient care equipment, instrumentation, and supplies. Disassembles, inspects, inventories, and assembles both surgical/ house instrumentation and procedural trays. Analyzes and establishes PAR levels for surgical/house instrumentation, trays, and supplies based on knowledge of past usage and projected use of inventory for upcoming scheduled surgical procedures. Assembles surgical case carts as required showcasing best order of assembly to SPT and RCST. Records and maintains required sterilization records and conducts departmental quality control audits. Serves as technical expert for training others on manual cleaning, scope handling, high level disinfection, and sterilization work processes. Participates in performance improvement work teams to enhance departmental efficiencies, customer service, and quality service. Identifies and collaboratively works with manager/supervisor to correct any waste in production processes.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Must have successfully completed the HSPA certification course.
• Maintains CRCST status via required yearly continuing education units (CEU’s).
• Must be physically capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Must be capable of lifting up to 60 pounds and pushing loaded carts weighing in excess of 200 pounds.
• Must possess visual/oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.
• Must be able to discern and distinguish colors.
• Must be able to work in a high stress environment.
• Must complete vision screening test for near and far vision. Must screen 20/40 or better or will be referred to the Eye Center.
• Must be able to prioritize work tasks to demonstrate completion of those tied to urgent/emergent patient care needs.
• Must be able to operate computers with training.
• Must understand and practice excellent personal hygiene.
• Must demonstrate English verbal and written proficiencies to utilize written high level disinfection/sterilization guidelines and manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFU’s).
• Knowledge of automated materials management and OR/procedural scheduling information system applications.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes and establishes PAR levels for surgical/house instrumentation, trays, and supplies based on knowledge of past usage and projected use of inventory for upcoming scheduled procedures.
• Coordinates perioperative/HVI room instrument and equipment needs utilizing the procedural schedules. Includes the coordination of room needs based on specific physician or patient needs.
• Coordinates suitable substitutes for specific instrumentation. Communicates critical level inventory to manager, supervisor, or coordinator.
• Performs all high level disinfection and sterilization work processes consistently following departmental policies and procedures, national standards, regulatory requirements, and manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU’s). Identifies and works to resolve processing variation. Collaboratively works with manager/supervisor to identify and correct any waste in production processes.
• Serves as technical expert/mentor for training others on manual cleaning, scope handling, high level disinfection, and sterilization work processes. Serves as a competent observer for the department’s new hire and annual competency programs. May present expert knowledge at in-service presentations/cross-training programs.
• Prepare and updates procedural manuals and reference materials, under the direction of the department manager, supervisor, or educator.
• Guides and assists SPTs and RCSTs in performing daily activities including reprocessing of instruments, trays, and scopes as well as pulling of case carts.
• Maintains daily sterilization records and conducts departmental quality control audits.
• Responds to instrument and equipment requests from physicians and procedural staff. Response may require knowledge of alternative product choices, operational budget expenses, and internal/external resources including vendor and contract specifics.
• Participates in performance improvement work teams to enhance departmental efficiencies, customer service, and quality service.
• Operates safely and efficiently all sterilization and decontamination equipment, in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Inspects, assembles and sterilizes surgical/ house instrumentation in accordance with departmental policy and procedure.
• Restocks accurately Surgical Services including the Outpatient Service’s and Labor & Delivery’s specialty carts and top track.
• Stages and delivers case carts, stocking carts and equipment via clean cart lift as well as OR service elevator.
• Identifies and trends as needed missing and damaged instrumentation/equipment. Collaboration with SPD Manager, Supervisor, Quality Instrumentation Coordinators, and Coordinators may be required to address issues as well as hardwire resolutions.
• Answers, records and responds to all requests via phone and/or in person in a courteous and professional manner. Telephone requests are to be answered according to WVU Medicine Behavioral standards.
• Receives and returns unexpired items to inventory in accordance to set policy and procedure.
• Assesses work areas to promote both patient and employee safety.
• May present expert content related to new technology and work processes at scheduled in-services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED