Sterile Processing Technician (SPD) - Kenner - Full Time - Evenings

Ochsner Health•Kenner, LA

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician ensures cleaned, prepared, and sterilized equipment and supplies are available for surgical procedures. The role receives, cleans, distributes, and stores medical instruments and equipment, supports direct patient care in clinical and satellite operations and operative suites, and serves as a resource for clinical knowledge. The position also performs other duties as assigned by sterile processing leadership. The technician performs general and specialized instrument care, disassembles and cleans reusable medical equipment according to manufacturers’ instructions for use, and inspects, packages, and reassembles instruments and trays according to priority. The role uses high-level disinfection and multiple sterilization techniques, maintains records and document control, and adapts communication and behavior to the needs and privacy of the patient population. The position requires compliance with applicable laws, accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and the employer’s compliance and privacy standards. This is a full-time evening position with a stated shift of 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The work is in a healthcare environment and routinely involves exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, communicable diseases, and potentially hazardous medications or waste. The role is classified as medium work, requiring exertion of 20–50 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Clinical knowledge.
Proficiency with computers, software, and web-based applications.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including timely communication of pertinent information to patients or appropriate staff.
Good organizational and time-management skills.
Conflict-resolution skills and good judgment in performing duties.
Ability to adapt positively and constructively to change.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including 24/7 coverage, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability, and to travel throughout and between facilities.
Ability to meet the physical demands of medium work, including exerting 20–50 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.
Ability to work in a healthcare environment with occupational risks that may include exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, communicable diseases, hazardous medications, and hazardous waste.

Nice To Haves

Two years of sterile processing experience or graduation from an accepted sterile processing or surgical technology course.
Certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) through IAHCSMM.
Certification as a Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician (CSPDT) through CBSPD.
Certification as a Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) through CBSPD.

Responsibilities

Perform general and specialized instrument care duties.
Provide supplies as needed for surgical procedures.
Disassemble and clean critical reusable medical equipment according to 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 according to 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 patient population, including respecting privacy, explaining services or procedures, requesting permission, and adjusting communication style.
Receive, clean, distribute, and store medical instruments and equipment.
Support direct patient care in clinical and satellite operations and operative suites.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements and ensure compliance.
Perform other related duties as required.