Sterile Processing Technician I

Kaiser Permanente • Larkfield-Wikiup, CA

256d

About The Position

Under direct/indirect supervision follows approved infection control, quality assurance and departmental policies and procedures. Collects, cleans, decontaminates, disinfects and/or sterilizes surgical instruments, trays and packs, reusable medical devices and patient care equipment for inpatient Nursing and Medical Office departments. Inventories, restocks and distributes instruments, reusable medical equipment and medical supplies to Medical Center. Works a majority of time in a Sterile Processing Department cleaning, preparing, assembling, sterilizing, prepare packs, instruments, and trays for the medical center and/or medical office building. May also process inpatient operating room instruments. Does not meet the requirements of a Certified Sterile Processing Tech II. Performs other related duties as necessary.

Requirements

• Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other incumbents of the organization.
• Must be willing to work in a Labor Management Partnership environment.
• High School Diploma/GED.

Nice To Haves

• 6 months experience preferred.
• Preferred to have minimum 6 months Sterile Processing experience.
• Preferred to have completed Sterile Processing Training course with 200 hours internship/SPD experience.
• Preferred knowledge of Medical Terminology to understand instrumentation, surgical procedures, and surgical schedule.
• Preferred knowledge with all various types of reusable surgical instrumentation, including power equipment and micro surgical instrumentation.
• Preferred knowledge of Sterile Processing departmental equipment (i.e. washers, ultrasonic, steam, gas, and chemical sterilizers).
• Preferred knowledge of cleaning patient care equipment (i.e. I.V. pumps, feeding pumps, pneumatic pumps, CPM machines, PCA, and hypo/hyperthermia units, etc.).
• Preferred knowledge of sterilization monitoring, record keeping, and quality assurance programs.

Responsibilities

• Adherence to hand washing requirements, work flow patterns, standard precautions, sterility assurance, biological monitoring, dress code.
• Validates and maintains event related protocols, disinfection and/or sterilization load parameters and records, inventory check sheet(s), and equipment monitoring.
• Meets regulatory requirements for sterilization, high level disinfection, biological monitoring, and employee competencies.
• Accurately document daily records of all QA and sterilization functions according to regulatory agency and Infection Control standards.
• Adheres to Organizational and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Participates in New Employee Orientation (NEO), department employee orientation (DEO), meetings, inservices and training, and employee evaluation and competency programs.
• Prepares for Sterile Processing Technician Certification.
• Wears personal protective equipment.
• Inspects, disassembles, sorts, cleans, and processes reusable instrumentation and equipment.
• Selects and operates specialized cleaning equipment.
• Follows manufacturer recommendations for proper use of cleaning agents.
• Maintains adequate cleaning supplies.
• As designated reprocesses endoscopes.
• Identifies, inspects, assembles, all general and specialty instruments, various power equipment, laser and endoscopic instruments per specifications and manufacturer recommendations.
• Selects and prepares packaging materials for the sterilization of reusable instrumentation.
• Selects appropriate method of sterilization.
• Maintains accurate sterilization records.
• Properly loads and unloads sterilization cart items.
• Verifies that sterilization parameters have been met before distribution of load.
• Collect, clean, check, distribute, and track patient care equipment.
• Order patient care equipment, inventory assigned supply areas for replenishment, rotates supplies, and stocks general and surgical carts.
• Report malfunctioning equipment to appropriate department.
• Demonstrates awareness of personal and work area safety at all times.
• Complies with facility safety policies and procedures, including those for bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases.
• Takes prompt corrective actions when hazard identified (reporting or removing, as appropriate).
• Attends required safety training.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills.
• Actively supports and contributes teamwork in the workplace.
• Takes responsibility and is accountable for own professional work ethics.
• Demonstrate responsibility in adhering to posted work schedules.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Education Level: High school or GED