Sterile Processing Technician II

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.
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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Receives and prepares items requiring gas sterilization; ensures proper packaging; arranges for transport and return of items to outside facility; ensures all return items have been sterilized; verifies all items sent out are returned; ensures provision of manufacturer documentation for gas sterilization by requesting department.
• Reviews and maintains sterilizer load indicators; files reports; completes log; recalls positive biological products from user departments.
• Inspects color of tapes on newly autoclaved items and on stored sterile packs on all supply shelves; sends outdated supplies for reprocessing or replacement; restocks shelf items as needed.
• Cleans and performs minor daily maintenance of equipment; reassembles and tests equipment after decontamination; reports equipment failures or errors immediately to maintenance and notifies supervisor/lead; prepares repair requisition for equipment or other items returned due to malfunction.
• Checks, organizes, and restocks supplies on shelves; pulls outdated articles; receives and checks quantities of supplies from warehouse.
• Takes and fills orders for supplies; refers to appropriate person as needed; prepares, checks and organizes requisitions and supply cart issue forms; ensures accurate charges to facilitate data entry; inventories and restocks departmental supply carts and specialty carts; records issues for each cart restocked; completes required records; assists in obtaining supplies/equipment from other facilities when necessary; uses supplies with close attention to cost containment and reduction of costs; assists in evaluating new supplies.
• Maintains daily inventory of all equipment; inputs inventory data in computer as assigned; files completed requisitions and forms; updates replenishment area profiles as necessary; enters counts; prints and issues picklists; participates in cyclical and annual inventory procedures; removes all questionable and outdated supplies from supply areas; inspects sterility of supplies and makes arrangements for re-sterilization or reordering as needed; rotates stock as necessary; assists with ordering and receiving departmental stock and non-stock items.
• Cleans and maintains neat and orderly work areas according to department standards; wipes and straightens shelves, tables and equipment; wipes shelves, carts and drawers, while restocking.
• Obtains and issues prices for CSD items to be sold in pharmacy.
• Folds linens; assembles linen packs to sterilize for surgery and various hospital and clinic units.
• Keeps abreast of current trends in sterile processing and inventory control.
• Uses effective communication skills to collaborate with other team members and interact with other departments; accepts and gives constructive feedback.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide culturally sensitive care and/or service.
• Performs other duties and accepts responsibility as assigned.

Basic Qualifications: Experience

• Three (3) months central services instrument processing, or related experience.

Education

• High School Diploma; or equivalent combination of education (lesser) & experience may be considered in lieu of requirements.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in customer service, oral communication, teamwork and written communication.
• Talking to co-workers, customers, outside vendors, and on the telephone.
• Reading, writing, speaking and understanding English.
• Training/giving and receiving instructions.
• Mathematical ability, attention to detail (e.g., organization, prioritization, proofing), concentration and alertness.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles of sterilization and hospital related equipment.