Sterile Processing Technician, Per Diem Dental, Morristown, NJ

Atlantic Health System•Morristown, NJ

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician performs cleaning, decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of patient care equipment, supplies, reusable medical devices, and instruments according to prescribed procedures, regulations, and manufacturer's instructions for use (MIFU), utilizing infection control and safety practices. Technicians keep accurate records of sterilization processes and quality assurance monitoring according to regulations, standards, and policies.

Requirements

Knowledge of all Sterile Processing Department (SPD) equipment, including items used on inpatient units.
Knowledge of equipment function sufficient to determine operational adequacy and distinguish between operator error and equipment malfunction.
Ability to operate all equipment and machinery accurately and safely.
Compliance with policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines for properly cleaning, inspecting, and storing patient care equipment.
Ability to communicate any information pertaining to patient care equipment to facility and/or campus departments.
Ability to immediately alert Lead Technician or Lead Clinician of any equipment malfunction.
Compliance with policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines for proper pre-cleaning and cleaning of instruments.
Ability to accurately handle equipment and instruments with appropriate selection of personal protective equipment, cleaning agents, lubricants, water, and supplies used for the cleaning and disinfection of reusable instruments and devices.
Ability to accurately handle and dispose of infectious waste appropriately.
Ability to assure absolute cleanliness of all items leaving decontamination.
Ability to identify any missing item and adhere to proper notification processes and procedures.
Adherence to AH High Level Disinfection policy, process, and procedure.
Compliance with policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines for preparing and packaging instruments, trays, and reusable medical devices.
Utilization of MIFU.
Ability to appropriately use available resources to identify surgical instruments.
Demonstrated knowledge of assembly materials, chemical indicators, wraps, pouches, and container systems.
Ability to ensure priority and one-of-a-kind instruments are processed upon receipt.
Demonstrated knowledge and skills in packaging and wrapping instrument sets according to standards.
Ability to correctly identify and label all assembled items in preparation for sterilization.
Ability to provide asset management and support for reusable medical devices belonging to or consigned to AH.
Ability to correctly replace missing items to the appropriate location.
Compliance with policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines for sterilization.
Knowledgeable in various methods of sterilization.
Ability to accurately record all items processed in each sterilizer (steam, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizer, and/or low-temperature sterilization systems) for each load.
Ability to ensure biological test packs are run per established policy, promptly and correctly incubated, assessed, and documented.
Ability to complete daily quality assurance testing as the first load of the day and document results.
Ability to document quality assessment testing and results for each load, including biological indicator (BI), BI lot number, BI expiration date, sterilization date, cycle, time, temperature, sterilizer number, and control BI.
Ability to review sterilizer readout tape and verify sterilization parameters.
Ability to place cooled sterilized items in proper storage locations.
Compliance with policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines for sterile storage.
Ability to visually inspect sterile packages for quality, integrity, and dates.
Ability to ensure supply and pan/instrument par levels.
Ability to replenish specialty carts and supply bins after use (e.g., crash carts, orthopedic carts, GU carts, intubation bins).
Ability to record items requested for charging and credit.
Ability to accurately set up case carts according to EMR preference cards and seek clarification as needed.
Ability to identify daily needs and prioritize reusable surgical devices.
Ensured software applications (Microsystem SPM®, AtlanticHub (Oracle), and Epic® EMR) item numbers are correctly recorded.
Demonstrated professional telephone etiquette and follow through on requests.
Ability to communicate instrument-related issues to the Lead Technician and/or Lead Clinician.
Ability to restock returned supplies and instruments to proper locations.
Ability to manage crash carts and verify lock integrity.
Ability to greet visitors and monitor identification.
Ability to ensure loaner processes are completed and trays are documented in loaner software systems or logs according to departmental guidelines.
Demonstrated competency in computer systems related to instrument and loaner tracking and MIFU review (OneSource®).
Maintained working knowledge of AH Compass, Employee Self Service, API, Epic MyChart, Safety Events, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Word.
Ability to maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment.
Ability to enter Engineering and Clinical Engineering requests.
Support department-based goals that contribute to organizational success.
Ability to perform special projects as assigned by the SPD Leadership Team.
Ability to complete other tasks and assignments required to meet department needs.
Ability to maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality.
Ability to promote professional growth through completion of mandatory education, Occupational Medicine requirements, continuing education, and competency assessments.
Ability to participate in the annual performance review process, including documentation of accomplishments and development of future goals.

Responsibilities

Perform cleaning, decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of patient care equipment, supplies, reusable medical devices, and instruments.
Maintain accurate records of sterilization processes and quality assurance monitoring.
Comply with AAMI, OSHA, TJC, AORN, Manufacturer Instructions for Use (MIFU), Departmental Guidelines, and AHS policies.
Maintain knowledge of all Sterile Processing Department (SPD) equipment and their functions.
Operate all equipment and machinery accurately and safely.
Clean, inspect, and store patient care equipment according to policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines.
Communicate information pertaining to patient care equipment to facility and/or campus departments.
Immediately alert Lead Technician or Lead Clinician of any equipment malfunction.
Pre-clean and clean instruments according to policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines.
Handle equipment and instruments with appropriate personal protective equipment, cleaning agents, lubricants, water, and supplies.
Handle and dispose of infectious waste appropriately.
Identify missing items and adhere to proper notification processes and procedures.
Adhere to AH High Level Disinfection policy, process, and procedure.
Prepare and package instruments, trays, and reusable medical devices according to policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines.
Utilize MIFU and identify surgical instruments.
Demonstrate knowledge of assembly materials, chemical indicators, wraps, pouches, and container systems.
Process priority and one-of-a-kind instruments upon receipt.
Package and wrap instrument sets according to standards.
Identify and label all assembled items in preparation for sterilization.
Provide asset management and support for reusable medical devices.
Replace missing items to the appropriate location.
Perform sterilization according to policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and guidelines.
Record all items processed in each sterilizer for each load.
Run biological test packs per established policy, promptly and correctly incubate, assess, and document.
Complete daily quality assurance testing as the first load of the day and document results.
Document quality assessment testing and results for each load, including BI, BI lot number, BI expiration date, sterilization date, cycle, time, temperature, sterilizer number, and control BI.
Review sterilizer readout tape and verify sterilization parameters.
Place cooled sterilized items in proper storage locations.
Visually inspect sterile packages for quality, integrity, and dates.
Ensure supply and pan/instrument par levels.
Replenish specialty carts and supply bins after use.
Record items requested for charging and credit.
Set up case carts according to EMR preference cards and seek clarification as needed.
Identify daily needs and prioritize reusable surgical devices.
Ensure software applications (Microsystem SPM®, AtlanticHub (Oracle), and Epic® EMR) item numbers are correctly recorded.
Demonstrate professional telephone etiquette and follow through on requests.
Communicate instrument-related issues to the Lead Technician and/or Lead Clinician.
Restock returned supplies and instruments to proper locations.
Manage crash carts and verify lock integrity.
Greet visitors and monitor identification.
Ensure loaner processes are completed and trays are documented in loaner software systems or logs.
Demonstrate competency in computer systems related to instrument and loaner tracking and MIFU review (OneSource®).
Maintain working knowledge of AH Compass, Employee Self Service, API, Epic MyChart, Safety Events, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Word.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly work environment.
Enter Engineering and Clinical Engineering requests.
Support department-based goals that contribute to organizational success.
Perform special projects as assigned by the SPD Leadership Team.
Complete other tasks and assignments required to meet department needs.
Maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality.
Promote professional growth through completion of mandatory education, Occupational Medicine requirements, continuing education, and competency assessments.
Participate in the annual performance review process, including documentation of accomplishments and development of future goals.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Coverage (22.5 hours per week or above for full-time and part-time team members)
Life & AD&D Insurance.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (with options to supplement)
403(b) Retirement Plan: Employer match, additional non-elective contribution
PTO & Paid Sick Leave
Tuition Assistance, Advancement & Academic Advising
Parental, Adoption, Surrogacy Leave
Backup and On-Site Childcare
Well-Being Rewards
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Fertility Benefits, Healthy Pregnancy Program
Flexible Spending & Commuter Accounts
Pet, Home & Auto, Identity Theft and Legal Insurance