High Level Disinfection Technician

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

Job Description:

Under the general guidance and direction of the HLD Operations Supervisor and Lead HLD Technician, the High-Level Disinfection (HLD) Technician 1 utilizes entry level skill sets to enact High-Level Disinfection functions as directed. The HLD Technician I works with preceptors and the Lead HLD Technician to develop the skills required to independently perform all primary functions. Primary High-Level Disinfection responsibilities include receiving instrumentation, sorting, inspecting, and decontamination of procedural instrumentation; identification of respective reprocessing method, accessory selection, and accurate documentation for all processes.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities including but not limited to:

Decontamination & High-Level Disinfection:

• Dons and doffs Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required by national standards and guidelines.

• Communicates supply needs within decontamination area to the Lead HLD Technician, including cleaning brushes, enzymatic detergent solutions, PPE, and test monitoring supplies.

• Performs routine tests on all mechanical equipment to ensure compliance with manufacturer’s guidelines and national standards, including but not limited to automated endoscope reprocessors, detergent-dispensing units, flushing devices.

• Receives soiled or new equipment (instrumentation, scopes, etc.) from the procedural clinics throughout the system; documenting receipt via the tracking system; decontaminate said equipment according to policies and procedures.

• Disassembles equipment as necessary before proceeding with the required cleaning method(s).

• Identifies repair needs from either communication from procedural clinics or upon inspection of the received soiled/new instrumentation and relaying that communication to the HLD Operations Supervisor or Lead HLD Technician.

• Identifies and places test strip respective to the reprocessing method as required.

• Utilizes appropriate cleaning equipment to achieve decontamination, including cleaning brushes, enzymatic detergent solutions, flushing devices, and leak test devices.

• Cleans and disinfects workstation by utilizing with antibacterial wipes and solutions.

• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the HLD Operations Supervisor or Lead HLD Technician.

Prep & Pack, Sterilization, & Storage:

• Documents all instrumentation and equipment tasks performed via instrument tracking system.

• Inspects and assembles all equipment, instruments, and scopes, verifies instrument functionality, is free of bioburden and debris, and is clear of tears, rips, and damage.

• Transports items to and configures into drying cabinets.

• Maintains clean and organized workstation, ensuring workspace is functional for colleague use upon assignment completion or as needed.

• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the HLD Operations Supervisor or Lead Instrument Technician.

• Designates product to appropriate reprocessing method and cycle according to MIFUs.

• Inspects packaged product to ensure all external indicators, filters, and/or labels are secured to items, returns non-compliant product for repackaging.

• Loads sterilizer in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure cycle completion; includes biological testing as appropriate.

• Performs routine sterilizer testing including biological monitoring and leak testing.

• Following policies and procedures to appropriately documents result of sterilizer testing. Escalates positive results to HLD leadership as appropriate for interventional procedures.

• Removes and inspects items from sterilizer utilizing approved methods to preserve packaging integrity.

• Following established procedures selects appropriate reprocessing method for heat sensitive instruments, equipment, or flexible endoscopes.

• Performs daily AER, sterilizer, storage maintenance in accordance with established policies and procedures, documents appropriately.

• Monitors instrumentation post-sterilization for temperatures appropriate for sterile storage.

• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the HLD Operations Supervisor or Lead HLD Technician.

Auxiliary Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Assist in Sterile Processing functions as directed by the CSP Operations Supervisor and/or Sterile Processing Lead Technician.

• Tasks include, but are not limited to, decontamination, instrument assembly, sterilization, transport of sterile instrumentation, and casepick.

Organizational Requirements:

• Maintains strict adherence to the LHMC’s Confidentiality Policy.

• Incorporates LHMC’s Guiding Principles, Mission Statement, and Goals into daily activities. 

• Demonstrates an understanding of the job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment.

• Participates in departmental and/or interdepartmental quality improvement activities.

• Participates in and successfully completes Mandatory Education.

• Performs all other duties as needed or directed to meet the needs of the department.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:  High School diploma or equivalent.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: None required. Must acquire endoscope reprocessing certification with either National certifying body (CBSPD or IAHCSMM/HSPA) within 12 months of hire date.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities: Attention to detail; good organizational skills; Basic computer skills.  Must be able to function in a fast-paced environment. Ability to read, comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively overall.  In the absence of any of these skills, demonstrates the ability to be thoroughly trained to meet organizational standards. Ability to lift 50 lbs.; frequently lifting; pushing; pulling required.

Experience:   None (entry level); 1-2 years preferred

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment. Learn more about this requirement.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled