Sterile Processing Technician - Main Sterile Processing

Overview

This position is for the main sterile processing unit at Flagstaff Medical Center.  Depending on qualifications, this role may be hired as SPD Tech 1, SPD Tech 2, or Lead SPD Tech.

SPD Tech 1:

The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for the proper care and handling of all general and specialty surgical instrumentation which includes cleaning, decontamination, identification, assembly, troubleshooting, packaging, distribution, and sterilization.

SPD Tech 2:

The Sterile Processing Tech II is responsible for precepting new employees, taking on the responsibilities of a surgical specialty, including maintenance of inventory, instruments, and education in coordination with the Surgical Specialty Lead, and solves complicated problems between Sterile Processing and the Operating Room. The Sterile Processing Tech II may also be called upon to temporarily take the duties of a Lead Sterile Processing Tech when a Lead is not available.

Lead SPD Tech:

In addition to performing all duties of the Sterile Processing Tech I & II, the Lead Sterile Processing Tech will assist in supervising assigned shifts and staff. The Lead Sterile Processing Tech is responsible for precepting new employees, acting as a resource for the department, communicating with the Operating Room in a timely and professional manner, and supervising workflow. The Lead Sterile Processing Tech will also be asked to participate in the hiring process, evaluations, and disciplinary actions, as well as assist with employee grievances. The Lead Sterile Processing Tech may also be called upon to take SPD Supervisor duties when necessary.This position's work location is on site.

Responsibilities

SPD Tech 1:

• Instrument Care
  • Decontaminates, assembles, and packages all surgical instruments following established protocols.
  • Inspects instrumentation for functionality and damage, and prepares order requests for instruments that need repair or replacement.
  • Identifies instruments for various surgical specialties and follows manufacturers IFUs for proper processing.
  • Operates autoclaves.
  • Maintains biological and chemical wash solutions to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments and medical equipment, while maintaining a clean environment.
• Administrative
  • Maintains appropriate logs and records relative to the sterilization process, including sterilizer load records and biological monitoring records.
  • Responds to problem calls from Operating Rooms and performs preliminary investigations.
  • Restocks, labels, and maintains inventory, submits requisitions, collects and distributes instruments, trays, urology cart, and facility medical equipment.
  • Determines priority level of instrumentation and equipment requests, may include preparing and delivering case carts with extreme accuracy.
• Compliance/Safety
  • Responsible for reporting any safety related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
  • Assists with maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, and environmental and infection control standards.
  • Follows guidelines for safety with regards to contact precautions and all policies/procedures dealing with blood borne pathogens.
  • Adheres to regulatory and organizational standards affecting patient care and safety as well as all hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Practices in a safe and cost effective manner.
  • If required for position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.
  • Completes all company mandatory modules and required job specific training in the specified time frame.
  • Safety: Responsible for reporting any work-related injury or exposure incident by the end of the shift on the day of occurrence using the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training; performs work in a safe manner, including proper hand hygiene and the appropriate donning/doffing of personal protective attire; ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and reports safety concerns to manager.

SPD Tech 2:

• Instrument Care
  • Decontaminates, assembles, and packages all surgical instruments following established protocols.
  • Inspects instrumentation for functionality and damage, and prepares order requests for instruments that need repair or replacement.
  • Identifies instruments for various surgical specialties and follows manufacturers IFUs for proper processing.
  • Operates autoclaves.
  • Maintains biological and chemical wash solutions to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments and medical equipment, while maintaining a clean environment.
• Administrative
  • Maintains appropriate logs and records relative to the sterilization process, including sterilizer load records and biological monitoring records.
  • Responds to problem calls from Operating Rooms and performs preliminary investigations.
  • Restocks, labels, and maintains inventory, submits requisitions, collects and distributes instruments, trays, urology cart, and facility medical equipment.
  • Determines priority level of instrumentation and equipment requests, may include preparing and delivering case carts with extreme accuracy.
• People Development
  • Precept new employees according to education and department standards.
  • Responsible for a surgical specialty, including maintaining inventory, instrumentation, and education in conjunction with the Surgical Specialty Lead.
  • Is the department liaison in problem-solving between Sterile Processing and the Operating Room.
  • Provide support services for Lead Sterile Processing Techs, including prioritization, organization, and communication.
  • Plays an active part in designing and enforcing policies and procedures relevant to Sterile Processing.
• Compliance/Safety
  • Responsible for reporting any safety related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
  • Assists with maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, and environmental and infection control standards.
  • Follows guidelines for safety with regards to contact precautions and all policies/procedures dealing with blood borne pathogens.
  • Adheres to regulatory and organizational standards affecting patient care and safety as well as all hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Practices in a safe and cost effective manner.
  • If required for position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.
  • Completes all company mandatory modules and required job specific training in the specified time frame.
  • Safety: Responsible for reporting any work-related injury or exposure incident by the end of the shift on the day of occurrence using the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training; performs work in a safe manner, including proper hand hygiene and the appropriate donning/doffing of personal protective attire; ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and reports safety concerns to manager.

Lead SPD Tech:

• Supervision
  • Oversee assigned shifts and staff, including managing workflow to meet demand.
  • Seek out and participate in mentoring opportunities.
• Communication
  • Demonstrates ability to keep open communication(s) with the operating room at all times.
• Education
  • Participate in educating staff on new equipment, methods, and procedures.
  • Be an active part in designing and enforcing policies and procedures relevant to Sterile Processing.
• Compliance/Safety
  • Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety-related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
  • Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.
  • If required for the position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.
  • Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training within the specified time frame.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED- Required
• Graduation from an accredited Sterile Processing program or other higher education- Preferred

Certification & Licensures

• SPD Tech 1:
  • CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician) – Required within 2 years from date of hire.
• SPD Tech 2:

  • CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or CSPDT (Certified

  • Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician) – Required

  • Certification as an Instrument Specialist- Preferred

• Lead SPD Tech:
  • CRCST/CBSPD Certification- Required
  • CSPM/CHL Certification- Preferred
  • Certification as an Instrument Specialist- Preferred

Employee will obtain and maintain appropriate clinical competencies for the roles assigned by their departmental leader.

  Experience

• SPD Tech 1:
  • Recent experience as a Sterile Processing Tech or Surgical Tech- Preferred
  • Education in healthcare field- Preferred
• SPD Tech 2:
  • Recent experience as a Sterile Processing Tech or Surgical Tech- Required
• Lead SPD Tech:
  • Recent experience as a Sterile Processing Tech or Surgical Tech- Required
  • Previous supervisory experience- Preferred

Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.