Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Technician Lead Under indirect supervision, assists in distribution of sterile and contaminated supplies to nursing inpatient and clinic departments; inventories and stocks supply carts; fills requisitions as required; washes, decontaminates, checks, assembles, wraps, sterilizes, stores, and issues trays, instruments, supplies and equipment. In addition, ensures all assignments are performed in accordance to department standards; provides orientation/training and coordinates work of Sterile Processing Technician II and I.

Essential Responsibilities:

Segregates all used instruments, equipment apparatus, and other articles returned to CSD according to decontamination method; loads appropriate items in washer; washes other items in sonic cleaner or manually, using approved detergent; wipes dry; washes appropriate items in cart-washer; changes graph paper of processing equipment. Assembles instruments; sets-up variety of general and special trays; wraps and seals items in wrappers according to established procedures in preparation for sterilization.

In addition, inspects surgical instrumentation for proper function. Runs sterilizer test packs according to policy; incubates and interprets biological indicator; notifies supervisor immediately of any abnormal results. Performs sterilization procedures in accordance with sterilization standards and departmental policies and procedures; practices universal precautions and infection control procedures; ensures safe sterilization; detects any malfunction of equipment; checks equipment indicators before, during and after each load to ensure proper equipment settings;

applies load identification label to each package after sterilization process complete; shelves appropriately. Demonstrates working knowledge of surgical equipment and supplies, including special care and sterilization procedures.; assumes responsibility for appropriate care, processing, and sterilization of specialty instruments for varied surgical services, (e.g. bronchoscopes, laser, midas rex, laparoscope); assists O.R. staff by sterilizing specialty equipment and/or obtaining additional or extra supplies required for procedures;

assists with room preparation and/or clean-up activities to assure timely turnover of surgical suites and increase utilization of resources. Checks sterilization control procedures performed by subordinates for completeness; corrects errors as needed; ensures all assignments are performed in accordance to department standards; performs biological testing to monitor and assure sterilization process is complete, trains and assists staff with sterilization equipment usage;

monitors other staff members who may assist in decontamination and sterilization process; coordinates room preparation and/or clean-up activities to assure timely turnover of surgical suites and increase utilization of resources. Adheres to all aspects of sterility control, universal precautions and infection control practices; participates in departmental meetings, inservice programs and quality assurance activities to keep abreast of current trends; researches methods and processes to maximize effectiveness and reduce wastage of resources;

recognizes own learning needs and seeks knowledge to increase skills and abilities. In addition, monitors and promotes adherence to sterility control, universal precautions and infection control practices by others; provides in services on sterility as appropriate; recommends methods and processes to maximize effectiveness and reduce wastage of resources; participates on inter-departmental task force or councils to monitor, review and evaluate quality control activities;

reviews processes to identify problems and seek…