Sterile Processing Technician

Job Details

The sterile process technician is responsible for daily operations to support the operating rooms and various other units as needed. Responsible for ensuring surgical supplies, instruments, scopes and equipment are properly inventoried, decontaminated, assembled, inspected, packaged, sterilized, stored, distributed and tracked in a safe, quality and timely manner. This position may support hospital based practices, clinics and other locations. Able to perform all sterile processing technician standard work. May be required to perform additional, related duties as assigned.

Job Description

Summary
The sterile process technician is responsible for daily operations to support the operating rooms and various other units as needed. Responsible for ensuring surgical supplies, instruments, scopes and equipment are properly inventoried, decontaminated, assembled, inspected, packaged, sterilized, stored, distributed and tracked in a safe, quality and timely manner. This position may support hospital based practices, clinics and other locations. Able to perform all sterile processing technician standard work. May be required to perform additional, related duties as assigned.

Job Duties

• Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson.
• Recognizes the patients, their family/designated care partner(s) in providing safe, compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient's personal preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs and values.
• Communicates with and supports the interprofessional team, patient, family and designated care partners.
• Responsible for disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, preparing, assembling, sterilizing and dispensing surgical and procedure instrumentation and trays for the OR, Delivery Room, nursing units, and all other departments, according to manufactures instructions for use (IFU’s), prescribed procedures and aseptic technique.
• Preparing procedural case carts per campus requirements. Operates automated washers, cart washers, ultrasonic washers, and sterilizers in a safe and efficient manner following manufacturers’ written instructions and department policy and procedure. Examine and test instruments meticulously to ensure proper integrity, function and cleanliness prior to being sterilized or High Level disinfected.
• Ensures verification of pre and post sterilization quality indicators. Reports any issues or problems with the sterilization equipment to appropriate SPD leadership.
• Uses Instrument Tracking System in the decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and storage of surgical trays and peel-pouched items to maintain inventory levels and accurate documentation. Accurately labels each item with name and/or expiration date.
• Routinely checks for outdates and package integrity of sterilized items; replaces/reports as necessary. May be responsible for maintaining, assembling and distributing of other durable medical equipment including but not limited to code carts based on campus requirements.
• May be responsible for equipment rounds based on campus requirements. Responsible for off shift and holiday call coverage based on campus requirements. Performs other duties as assigned. Participates in the onboarding process of new team members as appropriate per campus.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent required. Graduate of certified sterile processing technician training program. New hires must obtain Certification within 6 months of hire date.
• Patient-and Family-Centered Practice- Knowledge of how to convey respect and collaborate with each patient, family and/or designated care partner in care.
• Cultural Awareness Knowledge of people with diverse backgrounds and the ability to convey respect and connect effectively.
• Effective Communication Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques, ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. Uses the language of partnership with patients and families, engaging them in their health and health care.
• Inventory Management Knowledge of, and ability to develop and use, strategies, practices and tools for effectively managing local or distributed inventories of finished goods.
• Medical Equipment Knowledge of the common types of equipment or devices used in the healthcare industry, and the ability to use these in patient care.
• Decontamination Issues Knowledge of decontamination process for exposure to chemical or germ weapons.
• Infection Control Utilizes knowledge of patient safety and error prevention to impede the spread of infection and disease.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail Understanding of the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail, ability to process information with high levels of accuracy.
• Teamwork Understanding of the necessity and value of teamwork, ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Operating Room Management Knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate policies, procedures and management methods to maximize operating room efficiency and productivity.
• CSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technicians - Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution

Additional Qualifications:

Ability to read and communicate in the English language.

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialized Diploma Graduate of certified sterile processing technician training program.
• Less than 1 year with a minimum 6 months experience preferred.

Physical Demands
Lift and carry 25 lbs. frequent sitting/standing, frequent keyboard use, *patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

Work Shift

Workday Day (United States of America)

Worker Sub Type

Regular

Employee Entity

Abington Memorial Hospital

Primary Location Address

1200 Old York Road, Abington, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.    

Jefferson is committed to providing equal educa­tional and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. 

Benefits

Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time (including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.

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