Sterile Processing Technician - Full Time - St. Mary Campus

Ochsner Health•Houma, LA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician assures the availability of cleaned, prepared, and sterilized equipment and supplies for surgical procedures. The role serves as a resource for clinical knowledge and supports direct patient care in clinical and satellite operations and operative suites. Duties include receiving, cleaning, distributing, and storing medical instruments and equipment, and are expected to be performed without supervision. The technician also performs other duties as assigned by the SPD Supervisor or Manager of Sterile Processing. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and certification through an approved sterile processing or surgical technology pathway. Additional sterile processing or surgical technology coursework and two years of sterile processing experience are preferred. The role involves compliance with manufacturer instructions, operating procedures, applicable regulations, and accreditation standards. It requires computer proficiency, communication, analytical, organizational, time-management, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills. This is a full-time role at the St. Mary Campus. It requires a flexible schedule that may include 24/7 coverage, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability. The work involves prolonged standing, movement between facilities, medium physical exertion, and routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, communicable disease risks, and potentially hazardous medications or waste.

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 an internal sterile processing training course within the first six months of hire.
Computer skills and dexterity for data entry and retrieval of patient information; proficiency with Windows-style applications and keyboard.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including 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, adapt constructively to change, exercise judgment and initiative, make effective decisions, and communicate pertinent information to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
Ability to maintain required clinical knowledge, technical skills, training, and credentials.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, such as 24/7 coverage, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability.
Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.
Ability to meet medium-work demands, including exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly; use mechanical lifting devices or team lifts as appropriate.
Ability to stoop, bend, reach, grab, use manual dexterity, and stand for prolonged periods.
Ability to work in a patient-care environment with routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, possible communicable diseases, and potential exposure to hazardous medications or waste.

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

Perform general and specialized instrument care duties.
Provide supplies as needed for surgical procedures.
Disassemble and clean critical reusable medical equipment according to Manufacturer’s Instructions For Use (MIFU).
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 according to MIFUs.
Maintain records and document control as defined by standard operating procedures, policies, and regulatory recommendations.
Adapt interactions and communication to the patient population, including respecting privacy, introducing oneself appropriately, explaining services or procedures, and requesting permissions.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements, and ensure compliance.
Report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct and patient or employee safety, privacy, or other compliance concerns promptly.
Perform other related duties as required.