Sterile Processing Technician III - Joint Spine Sterile Process - JSC - Full Time - Days

The Christ Hospital Health Network•OH, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician III delivers onsite training for the Sterile Processing Department in collaboration with the Sterile Processing Educator. The role communicates training needs and helps keep departmental training and education current. The technician participates in educational activities that support personnel, partners, and customers, while also performing the duties of a Sterile Processing Technician. The position requires a strong sterile processing background, effective interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and the ability to deliver solutions on time. Strong communication with other departments is necessary. Education duties include conducting utilization assessments and onboarding assessments, maintaining education modules and policies established by the Sterile Processing Educator and The Christ Hospital, and contributing to educational resources when requested. The technician also maintains knowledge of relevant equipment, products, systems, processing practices, and governing standards. Sterile processing duties include assembling and inspecting instrument trays and packs; operating steam and Sterrad sterilizers; building and documenting sterilizer loads; maintaining sterile storage; building case carts; and collecting, cleaning, disinfecting, tracking, and delivering patient-care equipment. The technician supports shift operations, responds to Operating Room needs, performs quality checks, maintains sterilization records, participates in quality initiatives and in-service training, and may take on additional responsibilities when the supervisor is absent.

Requirements

Current professional certification with HSPA or CBSPD.
High school diploma.
Knowledge of regulatory bodies affecting Sterile Processing and Operating Rooms.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, computer systems, and software products.
Strong sterile processing background, interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work effectively in a team and independently to deliver solutions on time.
Ability to communicate effectively with other departments.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of experience working in a Sterile Processing department.
Experience implementing systems in healthcare environments.
Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification.

Responsibilities

Conduct onsite education utilization assessments for the Sterile Processing Department and assessments for onboarding and new team members as required.
Maintain and uphold education modules, guidelines, and policies established by the Sterile Processing Educator and The Christ Hospital.
Participate in developing educational resources, such as learning modules, quick reference guides, facilitated sessions, assessment templates, and training templates, when requested.
Maintain knowledge of sterile processing equipment, products, systems, decontamination, cleaning, processing, sterilization, and applicable standards.
Unload instruments from washer sterilizers and distribute them to designated areas.
Use SPM to assemble trays according to established standards and procedures, build sterilizer loads, and track equipment and trays.
Follow manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFUs) when reassembling equipment and instruments.
Assemble trays, packs, and loaner trays using written instructions, protocols, and the Casechek vendor tray tracking system.
Check instruments for sharpness and proper function; recognize a wide variety of instrumentation.
Apply sterilization wrappers and rigid containers, use a heat sealer on peel packs, and label each item properly.
Operate steam and Sterrad sterilizers and check trays, packs, and basins on sterilizer carts for compliance with protocols and procedures.
Monitor and document biological and chemical indicator results and sterilization parameters accurately in SPM.
Handle sterile items properly, restock the sterile storage area, and maintain clearly labeled storage locations.
Monitor equipment to ensure it is functioning properly.
Obtain surgical reference lists from Epic, collect items from sterile storage, and use SPM to locate trays needed for case carts.
Disassemble equipment when required by manufacturer IFUs, clean and disinfect patient-care equipment, and use appropriate cleaning products and disinfectants.
Transport dirty equipment from soiled holding rooms to the decontamination room and deliver clean equipment to patient-care areas as needed.
Use universal precautions in the decontamination area, including gloves, face shields, protective gowns, and boot covers.
Inspect equipment for wear or disrepair and coordinate reporting with Clinical Engineering and the Sterile Processing Supervisor or Manager.
Assist with assigned-shift operations, prioritize requests and Operating Room needs, and support staff in completing tasks and fulfilling Operating Room requests.
Ensure effective communication between shifts; perform quality-control checks and trend and analyze concerns as needed.
Assemble instrument sets and trays according to manufacturer instructions and maintain sterilization records.
Participate in departmental quality initiatives and in-service training as needed.
May assume additional responsibilities in the supervisor’s absence.