Job Abstract

Job Summary:
The Sterile Processing Technician Non-Certified, under general supervision, will inspect, clean, assemble, test, and processes patient care equipment, supplies, and instruments according to established policies and procedures and according to manufacturer's instructions for use. They will act in accordance with sterility per the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), The Joint Commission (JCAHO), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and state standards of practice. Primary duties may vary depending on area assigned.

• Performs decontamination functions including manual cleaning and processing of surgical instrumentation and patient care equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions for use.
• Applies proper knowledge of various detergents and chemical disinfectants for use in the decontamination and removal of blood, bone, and other body tissues from contaminated surgical equipment. Adheres to standard precautions while performing cleaning and sterilization duties.
• Inventories, stocks, and delivers supplies, carts, equipment to all facility areas as indicated per facility guidelines. Orders, restocks, labels, and maintains proper inventory levels. Rotates stock, inspecting for outdates per market requirements.
• Performs and documents quality control aspects of sterile processing using various information technology systems focusing on instrument tracking, surgery schedules, surgeon preference cards, supply ordering and management. Accurately maintains comprehensive quality assurance standards related to sterilization and infection control. 
• Operates and understands various sterilizers and sterilizing techniques required to produce sterile packages for use in the surgical setting keeping package assembly aseptic protocols in mind. Monitors sterilization regularly ensuring quality assurance through chemical and biological indicators and integrators.
• Documents all activities as required within the outlined processes and reports variances that may affect the outcome of sterile products or patient care and safety.
• Identifies and resolves infection control issues in and around transport of biological hazardous materials, including the use of universal precautions and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as sterile product identification.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the operation and testing of washers and/or disinfectors, steam, and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers, and other facility specific equipment and instrumentation.
• Identifies surgical instrumentation by surgical specialty: General, Gynecological, Robotic, ENT, Orthopedics, Neurological, Vascular, Obstetrical, Urological, etcetera. Including functionality testing, assembly and disassembly as required according to manufacturer's instructions for use.

Education/Certifications (Required)

• High School Diploma or GED (required)
• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) (certification required within 1 years after hire date)

Patient Population

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.?