Sterile Processing Technician Lead

Overview

Duke is an affirmative action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes.

To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

The Sterile Processing Technician, Lead assists the OR staff in the organization and daily function of the operating room in accordance with established federal, state, accreditation standards and facility policies and procedures. Responsible for instrument decontamination, sterile processing, instrument care, safe handling procedures and documentation related to those activities.

The Sterile Processing Technician, Lead will be responsible for performing the responsibilities outlined in any/all of the categories below.

• Operating Room Liaison
  :
  Assists the operating room staff in preparing the O.R. suite for surgery by assisting in instrument preparation. Works cooperatively with OR and Central Sterile to jointly resolve issues or develop better services for surgical implementation. Supports staff by ensuring communication with Central Sterile and OR staff helps ensure all instruments are available for surgery. Must be able to resolve issues or offer alternatives when necessary.
  
  Facilitates action required to obtain additional instruments during surgery. Verifies that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for next‑day, call or weekend cases. Addresses issues in communication/procedures by proactively reviewing OR schedule and suggesting modifications to ensure clear and precise communication and actions with all affected departments. Responds to problem calls from OR, transports sterilized instrumentation to the O.R. area as needed, documents and sends broken instrumentation out for repair, and completes documentation as required for instrument sets (Case Cart, Post Case, and Tray Audits).
  
  Meets with and works with OR staff and surgeons as required.
• Site Lead
  :
  Assists in prioritizing processing of instruments and equipment for surgical procedures to facilitate turnover of cases. Anticipates instrument needs for following day and assures sterile processing completion. May assist the operating room staff in preparing the O.R. suite for surgery by assisting in instrument preparation. Acts as HLD Specialist. Performs/assists with daily quality testing on equipment in SPD. Assists supervisor in day‑to‑day activities to include answering phones and daily staff assignment sheet.
  
  Communicates closely with staff members concerning instrument requirements and availability. Verifies that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for next‑day, call or weekend cases. Documents broken instrumentation, completes documentation as required for instrument sets (Case Cart, Post Case, and Tray Audits), may assist in sending broken equipment out for repair, manages needs list for tray inventory, and ensures bio’s are processed and ready in a timely manner.
  
  Serves as SPM/Quality Auditor, verifying sterilization documentation for accuracy, tracking IUSS loads and documentation, monitoring tray errors, checking vendor trays for next day cases, aiding with exporting Quality Events for reporting, maintaining SPM…