Sterile Processing Technician Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• National certification in Sterile Processing, with responsibility for maintaining 12 continuing education points per year for continued Core Course completion status or certification, or Surgical Technologist Certification.
• Precise hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
• Appropriate knowledge of instruments and their assembly, including laparoscopy instruments.
• Knowledge of priority instruments and equipment and the ability to process them accordingly.
• Knowledge of proper inspection of filters and seals and placement of containers.
• Understanding of sterilization principles and ability to correctly load and operate sterilizers to ensure product sterility.
• Ability to work cooperatively with the Surgical and Sterile Processing Team and demonstrate professionalism and ethical standards.
• Ability to read, write, reason, talk, and use a keyboard.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently; frequent standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, bending, pushing, and pulling; and moderate vision demands.

Nice To Haves

• Six months of experience in Sterile Processing.
• Other healthcare experience.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate supplies and equipment in accordance with safety guidelines; inspect and clean washer drains, load washers correctly, and remove blood and bone from needles and instruments.
• Assemble instruments before washer/decontaminator processing, process hand-washed items, and use a Sonic Irrigator to flush laparoscopic instrument lumens.
• Transport trash and dirty linen and restock decontamination-area supplies.
• Inspect instruments for proper working order and accurately assemble trays and sets.
• Replace plates, screws, and implants, and note items that need to be reordered.
• Tape and label packages with item identification, initials, and date; place appropriate chemical indicator strips in packages; and follow proper wrapping procedures.
• Dry containers before loading sets, match containers with correct labels, and fold and wrap linen into packs for various departments.
• Assist with starting autoclaves and Sterrad sterilizers when time permits; place Bowie-Dick test packs and biological test packs as appropriate.
• Review and complete log sheets, control records, load cards, and sterilization load-sheet information for each load type.
• Follow sterilizer cooling guidelines and place wrapped items and containers in the correct bins so processed items are available when requested.
• Keep autoclaves running on schedule; check and record biological indicators and handle them correctly when placing them in or removing them from the incubator.
• Sign out equipment from the equipment room and complete surgery requisitions.
• Participate in unit quality-control activities and help maintain a safe environment for patients and team members.