Sterile Processing Technician

University of Utah Health • Salt Lake City, UT

11d

About The Position

This position sterilizes and decontaminates surgical instruments and supplies for use in operating rooms, hospitals, and clinics. The technician assembles surgical carts and tracks and maintains inventory of instruments, disposables, and implants. The role also monitors biological and chemical indicators to ensure the quality and consistency of sterilization. It does not provide patient care.

The position works in a healthcare setting and involves potential exposure to contaminated body fluids, used needles, razor blades, knives, bone shavings, glass, and other contaminants. Protective attire is required at all times. The work may involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds, as well as prolonged standing or walking.

Requirements

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
• Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to accurately detect blood remaining on instruments before continuing sterilization.
• Ability to work and communicate with clients and customers to satisfy their expectations.
• Ability to acquire and use a comprehensive understanding of sterilizers and sterilization methods.
• Ability to understand departmental supply requests and identify appropriate alternative supplies when items are unavailable.
• Ability to prioritize workload and requests for supplies and trays.
• Ability to wear appropriate protective attire.
• Ability to be on call, work weekends and holidays, and rotate shifts as needed.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served on the assigned unit, including knowledge of life-span growth and development and the ability to assess patient-status data and provide care in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to meet the physical and working-condition requirements with or without an accommodation, including moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds and standing or walking for long periods.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience in a medical setting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and sterilize surgical instruments and supplies according to established procedures and techniques.
• Verify that equipment functions properly and arrange for repair or replacement of defective instruments.
• Sort instrument trays and medical equipment and make them available to sterile processing customers in a timely manner.
• Assemble special procedure trays, surgical instrument trays, and case carts.
• Deliver sterilized supplies to hospital departments and clinics and retrieve used supplies and trays.
• Inspect instruments and equipment to ensure proper functioning and facilitate replenishment of low, broken, or missing items.
• Document patient charges for the use of supplies and procedure trays.
• Monitor biological and chemical indicators to ensure sterilization quality and consistency.
• Perform environmental maintenance duties and assist in maintaining inventory levels.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed