Sterile Processing Technician II

Sterile Processing Technician II

The Sterile Processing Technician II is responsible for receiving, cleaning/disinfecting, processing, assembling, sterilizing, storing, and distributing instruments and equipment handled by sterile processing. The Sterile Processing Technician II is extremely conscientious with regard to safety/sterilization protocols and procedures, and is expected to apply knowledge and experience gained to demonstrate competencies as outlined in this job description.

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

Decontamination

• Adhere to infection control guidelines, i.e. hand washing, PPE, dress code, and standard precautions
• Maintain assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition to maintain a safe work environment
• Apply principles of medical asepsis to separating and segregating the items for cleaning and decontamination
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding in the selection and use of appropriate cleaning agents
• Demonstrate a basic competency in use and documentation of HLD (high level disinfection utilizing chemicals)
• Demonstrate a basic competency in cleaning and disinfection of fiber optic endoscopes
• Demonstrate competency in the operating of all equipment utilized in the decontamination area (ultrasonic unit, washer/disinfectors, dryers, UV disinfector, and cart wash)
• Demonstrate competency in utilization of Censitrac automated documentation and tracking system: scanning trays/carts and equipment into decon, HLD, quality monitors, and Loaners Instruments

Preparation

• Select and inspect all instruments, assembling all necessary items
• Arrange items in accordance to their use and for effective sterilization
• Wrap, seal, and label trays appropriately
• Demonstrate competency in packaging techniques: use appropriate package according to size, utilize proper labeling of contents and expiration dates, and properly seal packages with tape or heat where appropriate to properly safeguard items needed protection in packaging (i.e. sharp or delicate instruments)
• Report and document any missing or broken tray items and instruments
• Adhere to following all labeling and dating practices, ensuring the use of legible handwriting, accurate dating on packages, initialing of packs by the technician, department, load/Julian date, appropriate marking pens, and the accurate identification of packages

Processing / Sterilization

• Sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen, and supplies utilizing all types of autoclaves; load autoclaves in the prescribed manner and set controls to the specified time and temperature according to manufacturers instructions and requirements of items being sterilized
• Complete the appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization
• Read and initial sterilizer cycle print out to verify appropriate sterilization cycle parameters and provide required records for inspection, able to scan into documentation records
• Demonstrate by explanation the functional operation of the steam and Sterrad sterilizers in terms of time, temperature, pressure, contact, and humidity; describe and understand Leak testing, Bowie/Dick testing, and appropriate documentation; describe what happens during each phase of the complete sterilization cycle
• Demonstrate the operation of the sterilizers in terms of: selection of cycle, temperature selection, sterilizing time selection, drying time selection, and closing and opening the door at the beginning and end of cycle
• Demonstrate the knowledge to properly load and unload sterilization loads
• Demonstrate competency to document appropriate information on sterilization records to meet Quality Assurance standards
• Demonstrate an understanding of biological monitoring for all types of sterilization processes utilized in the SPD; document biological monitoring per departmental policies and procedures

Planning / Assignments

• Demonstrate competency in performing the duties of the team leader when assigned
• Oversee all areas of the SPD when acting as team lead, make adjustments to assignments of co-workers as needed, give and receive the SPD…