Sterile Processing Technician

Javon Bea Hospital•Riverside, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Technician performs essential duties following department procedures and manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) with exceptional accuracy. This role involves disassembling, inspecting, preparing, decontaminating, and sterilizing instruments. The technician is responsible for assembling instrument procedure sets, preparing instruments for sterilization using aseptic technique, and operating various sterilization equipment. They also pick supplies and instruments for case carts, inspect packaging for sterility integrity, and perform high-level disinfection of endoscopes. Additionally, the technician answers customer requests, reports equipment issues, maintains work areas, and stays knowledgeable about surgical instrumentation and tracking software. They also perform rounds to deliver and retrieve instrumentation, clean non-critical patient care equipment, and assist with inventory stocking. A key aspect of the role is understanding and adhering to regulatory standards, learning about different chemistries, and mastering the SPM Instrument tracking system and IUSS procedures. The technician will also learn to interpret instrument and equipment IFUs and assist with onboarding new team members. Other duties may be assigned based on department needs.

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 following Universal Precautions and proper use of PPE.
Loads and operates mechanical washers and ultrasonic cleaners.
Manually decontaminates and disinfects instruments as appropriate.
Inspects clean instruments for damage and tests for proper function and sharpness.
Assembles all instrument procedure sets according to the prescribed manner using tray lists.
Replaces 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.
Reviews 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.