JOB SUMMARY
The position is responsible for cleaning, packaging, sterilizing and stores the supplies, instruments and equipment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Preferred Certified Sterile Processing Technician
- Must be certified within 6 months of hire with CRCST.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
Category I exposure to bloodborne pathogens, frequent exposure to chemical hazards and may encounter radiation hazards.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Communication:
- Builds collaborative relationships with staff, peers, and physicians.
- Communicates with clarity, integrity, and purpose.
- Works effectively as part of the team.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops.
- Interacts with and contributes to the development of peers by sharing skills, Acknowledge, experience, respect, and encouraging the contributions of others.
Safety:
- Identifies and reports hazards promptly to appropriate authority and follows up.
- Takes responsibility to correct minor hazards promptly and efficiently.
- Follows all safety precautions, including universal precautions, asepsis and infection control procedures and completes educational requirement as required.
- Reports workplace injuries promptly and follows guidelines provided by the treating physician and/or Employee Health.
- Reports “Near Misses” or accidents promptly.
- Follows all regulatory agency guidelines such as DNV and Texas Department of Health.
Mission, Vision, and Standards :
- Be accountable and responsible for my actions.
- Maintain a positive attitude and conduct myself in a way that best represents HPH Communicate clearly and courteously.
- Be customer focused and provide service with a smile
- Be engaged in my role by taking ownership in the hospital’s success.
- Take pride in my appearance, our hospital, and its property.
- Follow Surgical attire policy.
- Protect the confidential information of our patients and my coworkers.
- Promote safe and secure environment in which to work and to heal.
- Commit to providing the highest level of service and care for our patients.
- Works to ensure on time starts are met, by having instruments ready for case prior to case starts.
Skills:
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Completes work assignments within an acceptable time frame.
- Uses time and resources to the best possible advantage for successful completion of job responsibilities.
- Strictly adheres to hospital policies regarding hand hygiene, universal precautions, and personal protective equipment.
- Understands the protocol for responding to emergency situations and the importance of remaining calm in this situation.
- Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his or her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
- Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
- Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team to facilitate the department’s ability to meet its goals and objectives.
- Coordinates with OR change nurse in transport of instruments clean and dirty.
- Adheres to the sterilization process policies and procedures.
- Cleans each item according to manufacturers’ instruction.
- Inspects instruments under magnifying glass for damage and defects; lubricates items as required.
- Determines that each item is in good working condition.
- Does not reprocess any single use items.
- Sorts and arranges items into proper trays according to established policy and procedure.
- Wraps trays and individual items according to established policy and manufactures recommendations.
- Accurately labels each item with name and expiration date.
- Correctly operates sterilizers, ultrasonic washer and other equipment for processing items.
- Positions items correctly in sterilizer and selects proper cycle; seeks assistance when needed.
- Checks indicators for proper functioning.
- Performs required biological monitoring tests on all sterilizers according to established policy and procedures.
- Maintains availability of supplies for continuity or recording throughout sterilization process.
- Cleans sterilizers according to established polices and manufactures recommendation.
- Maintains inventory levels and accurate records.
- Performs inspections of sterile items in the facility.
- Checks for outdated items and package integrity of wrapped sterilized items; replaces items as necessary.
- Places items in correct location.
- Maintains adequate inventory of supplies for the sterile processing area.
- Maintains and updates the instrument tray inventory list.