Job Description

The Central Processing Department (CPD) is responsible for the availability of sterile 6instrumentation/supplies to accommodate the Surgery schedule, Emergencies/Traumas, Clinics and hospital departments. The CPD Technician I is responsible for the decontamination, assembly and sterilization of all instruments used throughout the hospital including general surgical instrumentation. Also, responsible for assembly of case carts with supplies and instruments as it pertains to the surgery schedule, and availability to sterile instrumentation to hospital departments.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maintains collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working group’s achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.
• Sterile Storage/Case Cart Assembly
• Initiates communication with Operating Room to update and confirm changes in the Surgery schedule.
• Sets priorities for processing and decontamination to ensure timely delivery of instrumentation for surgeries.
• Accurately assembles specialty case carts for surgical procedures based on computerized pick list.
• Deploys case carts to the Operating Room in coordination with OR case completion.
• Stays abreast of changes in OR schedule and adapts workflow accordingly.
• Returns to inventory any unused supplies from the Operating Room case carts.
• Collaborates with Operating Room service nurses and technicians regarding changes in technology, instrumentation and product requests.
• Maintains par levels of stock and special order items used in surgical cases.
• Demonstrates knowledge of surgical supplies and equipment and their application in surgery.
• Applies principles of stock rotation, par level restocking and event-related sterility to the maintenance in surgery.
• Documents in OR and CPD communication book/board and dept shift reports as necessary to exchange information regarding changes and updates.
• Initiates Department cleaning routines to ensure that work environment meets AAMI and Infection Control standards.

DECONTAMINATION

The decontamination function encompasses cleaning and disinfecting of reusable instruments, supplies and equipment used in surgical patient care. This process is pivotal to breaking the disease transmission chain and this is essential to infection control and sterility assurance.

• Standard precautions instead of universal precautions.
• Performs decontamination procedures according to prescribed specifications in a safe and cost-effective manner. Is knowledgeable in and adheres to universal precautions and OSHA blood borne pathogen standards.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic microbiology and mechanisms of disease pathogen transmission.
• Operates the ultrasonic machine, washer sterilizers, cart washer, and washer-disinfector.
• Implements manual cleaning methods when complexity of equipment prevents automated disinfection.
• References manufacturer’s specifications and guidelines for decontamination.
• Assesses damage/repair of instrumentation; initiates repair process.
• Disassembles instrumentation and processes it according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Sets priorities concerning instrumentation and equipment to facilitate surgical schedule.
• Handles contaminated waste from the Operating Room according to infection control, departmental policy and OSHA regulations.
•  Processes case carts through the cart washer on a scheduled basis.
• Prepares trash for pickup by Environmental Services.
• Documents in the OR & CPD the communication book/board and shift reports as necessary to keep the staff current with changes, updates, etc.
• Utilizes automated Instrument Tracking System.
• Assists in other areas of the department, as time allows, as determined by management.
• Initiates departmental cleaning routines to ensure that work environment meets AAMI standards.

INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY AND PREPARATION

The instrument assembly and preparation function includes inspection and assembly of instrumentation sets used in the Operating Room as well as other departments in the hospital.

• Assembles instrumentation in a timely manner.
• Assembles general and specialty instrumentation for sterilization according to AAMI standards and departmental policy and procedures, including a quality control check for function, defects, breakage and overall condition.
• Unloads washer sterilizers and pass through window in a timely manner.
• Prepares reusable linen as necessary for sterilization.
• Maintains supply levels of sterile stock utilized in the sterile storage/case cart assembly area.
• Operates the washer sterilizers, drying cabinets and heat-sealing machines according to manufacturer’s guidelines and specifications.
• Prepares trash for pickup by Environmental Services; soiled linen is to be removed via the linen chute on each shift or as necessary.
• Utilizes the communication book/board and shift reports as necessary to keep staff current with changes, updates, etc.
• Utilizes Instrument Tracking System as necessary.
• Assists in other areas of the department, as time allows, as determined by management. Initiates departmental cleaning routines to ensure that the work environment meets AAMI standards.

STERILIZATION

Sterilization is the most technically complex function in CPD. Sterilization and the maintenance of sterility, as well as the specific procedures that must be followed. The importance of ensuring that all items marked “sterile” are in fact sterile cannot be over-emphasized. It is imperative that technicians apply knowledge of AAMI standards and the factors that affect the process of sterilization.

• Competently operates the Steam, Ethylene Oxide, Sterrad and Steris System I Processors.
• Performs monitoring of all sterilization processes that affect the achievement of sterility – mechanical, chemical and biological as well as procedures for lot control and traceability according to AAMI standards.
• Ensures that proper safety precautions when working with Ethylene Oxide.
• Articulates and appropriately implements working knowledge of evacuation procedures in case of Ethylene Oxide exposure.
• Reports any suspected equipment malfunctions or abnormality and implements lock out, tag out procedure.
•  Adapts sterilization time requirements and processing procedures when setting priorities for instrument processing to equipment design and manufacturing guidelines.
• Monitors quality assurance of all items ready for sterilization for correct identification and packaging to ensure proper sterilization procedure.
• Responsible for the weekly cleaning of all equipment associated with the sterilization process, which includes running the sterilizer carts through the cart washer.
• Responsible for returning sterile supplies/instrumentation to the appropriate storage space in sterile/case cart assembly area, rotating as necessary.
• Monitors sterilizer access rooms to ensure that these areas are restricted and locked at all times and leak monitors are functioning; maintains log book of all sterilization records and biological monitoring.
• Utilizes Instrument Tracking System.
• Maintains a clean and healthy work environment.
• Assists in other areas of the department.
• Utilizes the communication book/board and shift reports as necessary to keep the staff current with changes, updates, etc.

Qualifications

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Must be efficient in the operation of all equipment within the department.
• Must be knowledgeable with general and specialty instrumentation.
• Must be able to listen to instruction, and translate it into an activity and reproduce what is taught.
• Must be extremely conscientious with regard to procedures.
• Must be accurate and able to follow guidelines, refraining from “short cuts” where technique is involved.
• Must be able to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks and handle changing environment and assignments.
• Must have good communication skills.
• Computer skills with knowledge of Windows 98, Instrument Tracking systems.
• Knowledge of the hospital, infection control and medical terminology is highly desirable.

EDUCATION:

• High School degree or equivalent.
• CPD training desired.
• Completion of a certified program in Central Processing preferred.
• Central Services Technician National Certification (CRCST) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) required within 6 months of hire. (Provisional certification is acceptable).

EXPERIENCE:

• An equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above, may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Strength: Ability to lift, reach, carry, push and pull 40-50 pounds or more. Ability to stand/sit combination of eight (8) hours or length of assignment.
• Communication: Ability to speak and hear effectively and meet telephone and customer service standards. Ability to read and write in the English language.
• Feeling: Noting attributes of objects such as size, temperature, or texture by touching with fingertips.
• Talking: Expression by means of spoken words to communication oral information to customers accurately, quickly, and loudly enough in the English language.
• Hearing: Perceiving sounds such as phones ringing, beepers, alarms and buzzers on equipment.
• Vision: Clarity of both near and far vision. Able to distinguish color, i.e. alarms and buzzers on equipment, and color codes on instrumentation.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.