STERILE PROCESSING TECHNICIAN - CERT

Cook County•Chicago, IL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Under supervision, the Sterile Processing Technician receives and processes instruments and equipment; performs cleaning, sterilization, and high-level disinfection; and restocks supplies, linens, and instruments in the Main Operating Rooms Sterile Processing area and Endoscopy Department at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital. The technician prepares operating-room procedure carts and surgical trays to meet procedural needs in a timely manner, applying age-specific standards. The role also supports safe patient care, infection prevention, inventory management, staff education, and multidisciplinary improvement efforts. Salary is commensurate with years of experience disclosed and documented at the time of application.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED; proof must be provided at the time of interview.
Current certification in Sterile Processing and Distribution; proof must be provided at the time of interview if already held.
Thorough knowledge of sterile processing practices, instrument terminology, and anatomy.
Knowledge of sterilization methods, cycles, and parameters.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate with staff at all levels and with a patient population comprising diverse cultures and age groups.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions and procedures.
Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to adapt to changes in workload.
Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odors, and temperatures.
Ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of up to 12 hours.
Ability to bend, lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds.
Ability to see and hear clearly, including with correction.
Ability to use a computer, scanner, and mouse.
Adherence to hospital and department safety requirements, including personal protective equipment, handwashing and sanitizing, engineering and work-practice controls, and other applicable precautions.

Nice To Haves

One year of previous Sterile Processing experience.
Graduation from a Sterile Processing Program; official transcripts must be provided at the time of interview.

Responsibilities

Process supplies and equipment through cleaning, sterilization, and high-level disinfection.
Use the IMPRESS instrument and tray tracking system in all areas.
Identify items requiring routine decontamination or special handling and decontaminate reprocessable items according to hospital policies and procedures.
Use Standard Precautions when handling contaminated items.
Inspect instruments for operability and obtain items needed to reassemble trays.
Package and accurately label trays and individual or multiple items in paper/plastic pouches.
Select appropriate sterilization or high-level disinfection methods, conduct and monitor processes, and notify appropriate staff of complications.
Maintain appropriate temperature control of items.
Prepare operating-room procedure carts and surgical trays in a timely manner, applying age-specific standards.
Count instruments accurately and document counts.
Develop and maintain knowledge of operating-room and endoscopy instruments and equipment, including their identification, care, and handling.
Perform biological and chemical monitoring, recognize sterilization and high-level disinfection parameters, and assist with protocols for specialty instruments and equipment.
Maintain work-area cleanliness and clean autoclaves according to protocol, documenting the work in appropriate logs.
Identify needs for new or replacement instruments and equipment and initiate requests for additional instrumentation as needed.
Store sterile and unsterile instruments, equipment, and supplies in designated areas; identify expired or contaminated items for reprocessing; rotate stock; and maintain inventory.
Assume assigned responsibilities in the general sterile storeroom and select items based on knowledge of surgical procedures and material requirements.
Maintain confidentiality of patient-related information and communicate supply and instrument availability to operating-room personnel.
Participate in weekly staff education, multidisciplinary patient-care improvement efforts, and interdisciplinary committees concerning specialty-service supplies and instrumentation.
Plan and conduct in-service programs in areas of special expertise and help evaluate their effectiveness.
Prevent and address recognized violations of patient rights, maintain a safe environment, and promptly report hazards.
Apply infection-control, asepsis, and safety principles; attend required annual classes; and follow hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.