Sterile Processing Technician (Certified) - Central Sterile - Kings Hwy

Ochsner Health•Shreveport, LA

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician ensures cleaned, prepared, and sterilized equipment and supplies are available for surgical procedures. The role serves as a resource for clinical knowledge, supports direct patient care in clinical and satellite operations and operative suites, and performs duties assigned by the SPD Supervisor or Manager of Sterile Processing. Duties are expected to be performed without supervision. The technician receives, cleans, distributes, stores, inspects, packages, and reassembles medical instruments and equipment. The role also provides supplies for procedures, follows manufacturers’ instructions and established procedures for cleaning and sterilization, maintains records, and adapts interactions to the needs of the patient population. The position requires maintaining current clinical knowledge, technical skills, training, and credentials, and complying with applicable laws, accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and employer compliance and privacy standards. This position works in patient care areas and may involve direct patient contact or handling specimens. Routine duties involve exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, communicable diseases, and potentially hazardous medications or waste. The job requires medium physical work, prolonged standing, manual dexterity, and the ability to stoop, bend, reach, and grab. Mechanical lifting devices or team lifts should be used. Travel throughout and between facilities is required, and the employee must be able to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends, holidays, on-call availability, and 24/7 coverage.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification through one of the following: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) through IAHCSMM; Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician (CSPDT) through CBSPD; Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) through CBSPD; or certification in Surgical Technology with successful completion of the employer’s internal sterile processing training course within the first six months of hire.
Computer skills and dexterity for data entry and retrieval of patient information, including proficiency with Windows-style applications and a keyboard.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally to people at varying levels throughout the patient care process.
Good analytical, organizational, time-management, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to work independently, demonstrate self-direction, exercise sound judgment and initiative, and make effective decisions.
Ability to adapt positively and constructively to change.
Ability to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to stoop, bend, reach, and grab with arms and hands, and to demonstrate manual dexterity.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods.
Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include 24/7 coverage, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability.

Nice To Haves

Two years of sterile processing experience.
Additional degrees, business training experience, and/or certifications may be combined to meet minimum qualifications.
Additional courses in Sterile Processing or Surgical Technology.

Responsibilities

Ensure cleaned, prepared, and sterilized equipment and supplies are available for surgical procedures.
Receive, clean, distribute, and store medical instruments and equipment.
Perform general and specialized instrument care duties.
Provide supplies as needed for surgical procedures.
Disassemble and clean critical reusable medical equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions for use.
Inspect, package, and reassemble surgical instruments and trays according to established priority.
Perform high-level disinfection, pre-vacuum sterilization, gravity displacement sterilization, and hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions for use.
Maintain records and document control as defined by standard operating procedures, policies, and regulatory recommendations.
Adapt behavior and communication to the specific patient population, including respecting privacy, explaining services or procedures, requesting permissions, and adjusting communication style.
Communicate pertinent information to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
Maintain required clinical knowledge, technical skills, training, and credentials.
Remain knowledgeable about and comply with applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory agency requirements.
Report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct and patient or employee safety, privacy, or other compliance concerns.
Perform other related duties as assigned.