Sterile Processing Tech 1 -- Central Sterile Services -- Memorial Hospital

Job Summary

Provide optimum service to the Central Service Department and Procedural areas to ensure effective processing, sterilization and distribution of supplies, instruments, and equipment. The primary responsibility is infection prevention and control with foundational understanding of principles of microbiology, use of personal protective equipment, and attention to detail. Employee may access secure medication supply areas to complete assigned job duties.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and coordinates functions and activities in the Central Service Department to ensure effective processing, sterilization, and distribution of supplies, instruments, and equipment.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of sterile technique.

• Performs High Level Disinfection using the approved chemical product of choice.

• Demonstrates proper operation and monitoring of all steam autoclaves, washers, Sterrad machines, automatic scope reprocessors, cart washers, and ultrasonic washers.

• Performance and documentation of all daily biological monitoring for all equipment in Central Sterilization and Procedural areas.

• Performs all duties according to established evidence based procedures, protocols, and policies, following original manufacturer instructions.

• Identifies, cleans, and sterilizes following manufacturer instructions for use. Appropriately packages and assembles instrument sets.

• Responsible for waste disposal and decontamination of contaminated items.

• Inspects equipment and instruments through all procedural steps for condition and operation.

• Assists with basic cost containment and quality assurance for the department.

• Pursues opportunities for professional and personal growth and development. Attends in-services and staff meetings. Maintains knowledge of current trends and technology with the guidance of a Tech II, III, or Specialist. Continuously updates knowledge and practice.

• Promotes professional growth of peers by sharing knowledge with them and/or directing them to appropriate sources of information for a given situation.

• Ensures appropriate patient charges and credits are issued correctly and processed immediately.

• Responsible for batching patient charges, issues, and credits and compiling and forwarding this information to inventory control and data management, which includes distribution of supplies to nursing units as needed.

• Supports all hospital departments with sterilization needs.

• Completes all required reports and studies in a timely and accurate manner.

• Responsible for all inventory management and control of outdates.

• Inspects equipment and supplies processed within the department, arranging for the maintenance of equipment as necessary, to ensure the safe and proper operating condition of all equipment and instruments while maintaining the repair log.

• Assists the manager in assuring the Health Care Organizations (accrediting body) requirements for the department are met. Maintain awareness of DNV readiness and ongoing Top 5 board projects.

• Able to pull case carts as appropriate.

• Collects soiled instruments and equipment throughout the hospital for processing.

• Maintains clean work surfaces at all times in decontamination and on all work stations as required.

• Identifies and reports any defective instrumentation/equipment using the appropriate chain of command.

• Correctly organizes, checks for function, and assembles all instrument sets/trays using appropriate count sheets or other documentation for monitoring quality.

• Follows through with requests for patient care equipment from other facilities and maintains log of instruments and equipment on loan and return date.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Patient Group Knowledge (Only applies to positions with direct patient contact)

The employee must possess/obtain (by the end of the orientation period) and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide developmentally appropriate assessment, treatment or care as defined by the department’s identified patient ages. Specifically the employee must be able to demonstrate competency in: 1) ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of patient needs; 2) knowledge of growth and development; and 3) understanding of the range of treatment needed by the patients.

Competency Statement

Must demonstrate competency through an initial orientation and ongoing competency validation to independently perform tasks and additional duties as specified in the job description and the unit/department specific competency checklist.

Common Duties and Responsibilities
(Essential duties common to all positions)

1. Maintain and document all applicable required education.
2. Demonstrate positive customer service and co-worker relations.
3. Comply with the company's attendance policy.
4. Participate in the continuous, quality improvement activities of the department and institution.
5. Perform work in a cost effective manner.
6. Perform work in accordance with all departmental pay practices and scheduling policies, including but not limited to, overtime, various shift work, and on-call situations.
7. Perform work in alignment with the overall mission and strategic plan of the organization.
8. Follow organizational and departmental policies and procedures, as applicable.
9. Perform related duties as assigned.

Education 

• High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Credentials 

• No Certification, Competency or License Required

Work Schedule: Evenings

Status:  Full Time Regular 1.0

Location: Memorial Hospital

Location of Job: US:WV:Charleston

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Connie S. Pratt connie.pratt@vandaliahealth.org