Sterile Processing Technician

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois•Crystal Lake, IL

6d•$18 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician performs essential duties competently and consistently, following department procedures and manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) with exceptional accuracy. This role involves disassembling, inspecting, and preparing instruments for decontamination, loading and operating mechanical washers and ultrasonic cleaners, and manually decontaminating and disinfecting instruments. The technician will inspect clean instruments for damage, test for proper function and sharpness, and assemble instrument procedure sets according to prescribed methods. They will prepare instruments for sterilization using aseptic technique, including wrapping or packaging, using chemical indicators, and marking packages. The role includes loading and operating steam and hydrogen peroxide sterilizers, using and documenting results from biological, chemical, and process indicators, and reviewing physical monitoring printouts. Additionally, the technician will pick supplies and instruments for case carts, inspect packaging for sterility integrity, and perform high-level disinfection of endoscopes, including operating automatic endoscope reprocessors. Responsibilities also include answering the telephone, responding to customer requests, notifying leadership of equipment problems, maintaining a clean and organized work area, and maintaining a working knowledge of surgical instrumentation and instrument assembly and tracking software. The role involves performing rounds to deliver sterile instrumentation and retrieve used instrumentation, cleaning non-critical patient care equipment, and assisting with counting and stocking surgical supply inventory. The technician must learn and understand regulatory standards (FDA, AAMI, Joint Commission), different chemistries used, the proper use of the SPM Instrument tracking system, how to prep instruments for Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS), and how to interpret instrument and equipment IFUs. They will actively assist with onboarding new partners and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or certificate from a nationally recognized organization.
Ability to follow both written and oral instructions accurately and consistently.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to follow instructions and procedures accurately.
Demonstrated problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
Adaptability to changing priorities and environments.
Customer service orientation and cultural sensitivity.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with electronic health records
Proficiency with specialized equipment
Proficiency with software applications

Responsibilities

Disassembles, inspects and prepares instruments for manual or mechanical decontamination always following Universal Precautions and proper use of PPE.
Loads and operates mechanical washers and ultrasonic cleaners.
Manually decontaminates and disinfects instruments as appropriate.
Inspect clean instruments for damage and tests for proper function and sharpness.
Assembles all instrument procedure sets according to the prescribed manner using tray lists.
Replace missing instruments as required to complete instrument sets.
Prepares instruments for sterilization using an aseptic technique, including wrapping or packaging for sterilization, using chemical indicators, and properly marking packages with identifying data.
Loads and operates steam and hydrogen peroxide sterilizers.
Uses biological, chemical, and process indicators appropriately and reviews and documents results in appropriate logs.
Review physical monitoring printouts to confirm cycle parameters.
Picks supplies and instruments to prepare case carts according to procedural preference lists.
Inspects packaging for damage to ensure the integrity of sterility for all items and inspects all items for outdated items before distributing them to customers.
Performs high-level disinfection of endoscopes.
Loads and operates automatic endoscope reprocessors.
Answers telephone and responds to customers' routine and urgent requests for supplies, instruments, and case carts professionally and expediently at all times.
Notifies department leadership of facility and equipment problems and submits work requests as needed.
Maintains assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition to meet standards for handling clean and sterile items and to maintain a safe work environment.
Maintains a working knowledge of all surgical instrumentation.
Maintains a working knowledge of instrument assembly and tracking software.
Performs rounds to nearby clinical departments to deliver sterile instrumentation and retrieve used instrumentation.
Cleans non-critical patient care equipment between uses.
Assists with counting and stocking surgical supply inventory.
Learns, understands, and is aware of all regulatory standards and bodies that make recommendations (FDA, AAMI, Joint Commission, to name a few).
Must learn about the different chemistries they use, the effect they have on instrumentation, and what they are used for.
Learn the proper use of the SPM Instrument tracking system.
Learn how to prep and prepare instruments using IUSS (Immediate Use Steam Sterilization) for sterilization.
Learns how to read and interpret instrument and equipment IFUs to ensure the proper reprocessing steps and assembly.
Actively assist with the onboarding of new partners
Other duties as assigned based on department need