Sterile Processing Technician
About The Position
The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for sterilizing instruments and ensuring their proper care. The role maintains the central processing area, follows sterilization procedures, cleans and inspects instruments, prepares and labels trays and individual items, operates sterilizers and related equipment, monitors sterilization cycles, maintains records and inventory, and inspects sterile items for expiration and package integrity. The position supports the facility’s mission to provide exceptional, efficient, and cost-effective orthopaedic surgical services and follows its policies, compliance program, quality-improvement practices, and safety procedures.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED certificate.
- Strong ethical and moral character references.
- Training or courses in sterile technique and instrument sterilization.
- Cooperative work attitude toward coworkers, management, patients, visitors, and physicians.
- Ability to promote a favorable facility image with physicians, patients, insurance companies, and the general public.
- Ability to make decisions and solve problems.
- Accuracy, attention to detail, timeliness, organization, dependability, punctuality, and attendance.
- Ability to work with little supervision, follow instructions, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods.
- Ability to push, pull, lift, and position equipment and patients.
- Visual and auditory acuity for using sterilization equipment.
Nice To Haves
- Instrument processing technician experience.
- Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) experience.
Responsibilities
- Support the facility’s ideology, mission, goals, and objectives, and follow its policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
- Conduct oneself professionally as a positive role model and team member; respect patients’ rights, privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.
- Participate in facility committees, meetings, in-services, inventory, and other activities, and maintain professional relationships with management and medical staff.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.
- Use facility resources appropriately, report wasteful practices, and recommend cost-effective improvements.
- Contribute to and follow the organization’s compliance and performance-improvement programs; evaluate suggestions, grievances, and processes and participate in data collection.
- Follow safety policies and report observed or suspected safety violations, hazards, and noncompliance.
- Participate in continuing education, share knowledge with staff, maintain relevant professional memberships, and seek learning opportunities.
- Maintain a clean and orderly central processing area.
- Follow sterilization procedures and clean each item according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Inspect instruments for damage and defects, lubricate them as needed, and determine whether they are in working condition.
- Sort and arrange items into proper trays, wrap trays and individual items, and accurately label each item with its name and expiration date.
- Operate sterilizers, ultrasonic washers, and other processing equipment correctly; check equipment indicators and seek assistance when needed.
- Perform required biological and chemical monitoring tests on sterilizers and maintain logs and recording supplies.
- Maintain inventory levels and accurate records, including the instrument tray inventory list and counts of instruments loaned to or returned from outside sources.
- Inspect all sterile items weekly, check for expired items and package integrity, replace items as necessary, and place items in the correct location.
- Maintain adequate supplies for the sterile processing area.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
