Sterile Processing Technician II (EVENINGS)

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare•Chesapeake, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician II receives, cleans and disinfects, processes, assembles, sterilizes, stores, and distributes instruments and equipment handled by sterile processing. The role requires careful adherence to safety and sterilization protocols and the application of relevant knowledge and experience to demonstrate job competencies. Additional tasks may be assigned. The technician performs decontamination, instrument preparation, processing and sterilization, planning and assignment duties, and supply-area responsibilities. When assigned as team leader, the technician oversees SPD work areas and adjusts assignments as needed. The role also includes supporting performance improvement, training staff when assigned, maintaining department documentation, and managing patient-care equipment and specialty carts used in nursing units.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be enrolled in a CRCST program or have successfully completed a CRCST program.
Must hold CRCST or CBSPD certification, or obtain certification within two years of the start date.
Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Knowledge of surgical instrumentation, infection-control principles, and sterilization processes is preferred.
Ability to identify, prepare, and assemble instrument trays using instruments needed in general surgery is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Current sterile processing or operating room experience.
Knowledge of surgical instrumentation, infection-control principles, and sterilization processes.
Ability to identify, prepare, and assemble instrument trays using instruments needed in general surgery.

Responsibilities

Follow infection-control guidelines, including hand washing, use of PPE, dress code, and standard precautions.
Keep assigned work areas and equipment clean and organized to maintain a safe work environment.
Apply medical asepsis principles when separating and segregating items for cleaning and decontamination.
Select and use appropriate cleaning agents; perform and document high-level disinfection and clean and disinfect fiber-optic endoscopes.
Operate decontamination equipment, including ultrasonic units, washer/disinfectors, dryers, UV disinfectors, and cart washers.
Use the Censitrac automated documentation and tracking system to scan trays, carts, and equipment into decontamination, HLD, quality-monitoring, and loaner workflows.
Select and inspect instruments, assemble necessary items, and arrange them for their intended use and effective sterilization.
Wrap, seal, and label trays and packages appropriately, using suitable packaging and safeguards for sharp or delicate instruments.
Report and document missing or broken tray items and instruments; follow package labeling and dating practices, including legible handwriting, accurate dates, technician initials, department and load/Julian-date details, appropriate marking pens, and package identification.
Sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen, and supplies using all types of autoclaves; load autoclaves as prescribed and set controls according to manufacturer instructions and item requirements.
Complete documentation before sterilization; read and initial sterilizer cycle printouts, verify cycle parameters, and scan required records into documentation systems.
Explain and operate steam and Sterrad sterilizers, including cycle phases, time, temperature, pressure, contact, humidity, leak testing, and Bowie/Dick testing.
Select sterilization cycles and settings, operate sterilizer doors, and correctly load and unload sterilization loads.
Document sterilization information to meet quality-assurance standards and document biological monitoring according to departmental policies and procedures.
Perform team-leader duties when assigned, including overseeing SPD areas, adjusting coworker assignments, and giving and receiving SPD and OR reports.
Check and complete daily and weekly assignments and report relevant information to the SPD team lead, Clinical Coordinator, or Manager.
Assist with department performance-improvement initiatives.
Serve as a preceptor when assigned, train and educate staff as needed, and maintain in-service documentation.
Follow and enforce Sterile Processing policies and procedures; ensure proper receipt of department supplies and instruments; troubleshoot issues and report actions taken.
Use department computer functions and programs for sterilization/HLD documentation and instrument, container, and equipment tracking.
Perform supply-area duties, manage patient-care equipment and specialty carts used in nursing units, and complete scheduled rounds for soiled-item pickup and deliveries.
Monitor medication inventory for floor trays and specialty carts, including par levels and expiration dates.
Attend required hospital-wide orientations, meetings, and in-services.
Demonstrate flexibility in work scheduling when necessary to ensure patient care.