Sterile Processing Technician II

Covenant Health•Lewiston, ME

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician II is an integral part of the Surgical Services team. This staff member performs and participates in the decontamination, assembling, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment in a manner that consistently follows infection control and safety standards. This role also assists with training new employees and ordering needed supplies in the absence of the department manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
CRCST certification through HSPA required.
1 year of Sterile Processing experience required.
High attention to detail required.
Ability to read instructions and follow them appropriately.
The ability to speak, read, write, and understand written instructions in English is required.
Ability to work well alone or with a team.

Responsibilities

Collects and cleans used and contaminated equipment, wearing appropriate PPE and using approved cleaning solutions and materials.
Manually wipes down or disassembles equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions for use (IFU), completing the decontamination process, re-assembly, and testing.
Collects and processes contaminated instruments for all patient care areas, following disassembly protocols and ensuring all instrument surfaces are exposed for cleaning.
Selects the correct wash cycle per manufacturer IFU and follows established policy and procedure on receiving loaner trays, including visual inspection, verification of each item to the inventory list, and completion of necessary documentation.
Identifies instrumentation coming from the decontaminator as clean and free of bioburden, reassembles any instruments disassembled for decontamination, and verifies all instrument mechanisms are working smoothly.
Reports any instruments that fail to the appropriate department and takes instruments out of service.
Sorts and assembles sets of instruments, trays, and medical equipment and makes them available promptly.
Demonstrates knowledge of and follows department protocols and skills list for materials used for wrapping, wrapping techniques, peel packs, and use of rigid sterilization containers.
Follows department policy on documentation of all sterilization loads, contents of each load, instrument tray labels, and peel pack labels.
Follows the appropriate sterilization method and settings and utilizes all appropriate biological/verification indicators for each tray per manufacturer IFU.
Follows department protocols and skills list for both sterilizer operations and processed biological indicator monitoring.
Follows established sterilization parameters on each item based on manufacturer IFU.
Completes all daily/weekly testing requirements such as washers, eye wash station, ultrasonic, sterilizers, and biological testing.
Follows established protocols for the recall process of a positive biological attest.
Assumes a preceptor role to assist with the training of new staff members.
Assists in ordering needed supplies in the absence of the department manager.
Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills.
Works with the OR/CS liaison to address issues.
Completes the required amount of education specific to hip and knee replacement as outlined by St. Mary’s Hip & Knee Replacement Interdisciplinary Team which follows DNV Hip and Knee Replacement Program requirements.
Maintains required certifications, competencies, and completes annual compliance courses on time.
Actively supports and participates in the education and mentorship of students assigned to the unit.
Performs other duties as consistent with this role.