Sterile Processing PRN

St. Elizabeth Healthcare•Florence, KY

About The Position

This position ensures surgical and procedural supplies, instruments, and equipment are properly inventoried, decontaminated, assembled, inspected, packaged, sterilized, stored, and distributed in a quality and timely manner in compliance with patient safety and infection control standards. The role requires treating patients, families, visitors, and employees with respect, dignity, kindness, and empathy. Responsibilities span decontamination, instrument preparation, sterilization and high-level disinfection, inventory control and distribution, customer service, quality assurance, and financial accountability. Sterile Processing associates may work in Endoscopy, where duties also include supporting department operations, assisting with room turnover and terminal cleaning, maintaining oxygen tanks, and assisting with direct patient care under RN supervision.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT).
For Endoscopy assignments, CBSPD or CER certification.
Knowledge of perioperative instrumentation, sterilization, and AAMI standards.
Knowledge of Joint Commission and AORN standards.
Computer entry skills.
For Endoscopy assignments, competency in SGNA Guidelines.
Experience in a Sterile Processing department or Surgical Tech experience.

Responsibilities

Collect soiled case carts, break down instruments and equipment, and clean, disinfect, and prepare carts for their next use.
Sort, disassemble, decontaminate, rinse, and disinfect instruments and clinical equipment using appropriate methods, solutions, and manufacturer-designated cleaning equipment.
Handle instruments carefully and operate and troubleshoot cleaning equipment, including instrument washers, case cart washers, ultrasonic washers, and the aqua box system; Endoscopy staff may also operate and troubleshoot AER or OER equipment.
Recognize instruments and trays, assemble instruments correctly, follow tray lists, and use One Source and tray controller systems.
Inspect instruments for cleanliness and function, check applicable video equipment for damage, and package instruments using appropriate container systems, wraps, or peel packages.
Select appropriate sterilization methods and monitor processed items using chemical and biological indicators, channel checks, Bowie-Dick tests, and physical and mechanical methods.
Identify and resolve issues affecting sterilization or high-level disinfection and maintain required documentation of sterilization and disinfection procedures.
Operate steam, Pre-Vac, ethylene oxide, Steris, and Sterrad sterilizers safely and effectively.
Use Epic OpTime to access physician procedure and preference lists and set up cases.
Maintain knowledge of instrument and supply locations, respond efficiently to urgent requests, communicate supply issues to the manager, and distribute and track supplies and equipment.
For Endoscopy assignments, support department operations, turn over endoscopy suites, perform terminal cleaning, assist with equipment and supply inventory, and maintain and properly store oxygen tanks.
Under direct RN supervision, assist with direct patient care activities during endoscopy procedures and respond promptly to requests from anesthesia providers and RNs.
Assist with the sterilization quality assurance program and maintain documentation related to biological and chemical controls, testing, and sterilization logs.
Provide excellent customer service, participate in performance improvement activities, assist in training new employees, and maintain a clean and orderly work area.
Use equipment and supplies cost-effectively and help maintain instrumentation and supply inventory within operating and capital budget expenses.