Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Job Summary:

Location: Methodist Hospital
Address: 8303 Dodge St, Omaha, NE

Work Schedule: 2:45pm to 11:15pm with rotating weekends and holidays

Sterilization Technicians play an essential role in patient safety by sorting, assembling, sterilizing and distributing instrumentation from all areas of the hospital. This is a hands-on role that includes routine maintenance, instrument tracking, preparing accurate records, and maintaining a working knowledge of sterilization and disinfection methods required for specific instruments and equipment. As a Sterilization Technician, you will be responsible for following universal precautions, infection control policies, federal regulations, and standard policies and procedures within the organization.

Ask your recruiter/hiring manager about the following incentives that may be available for this position:
- Shift differentials & other financial incentives
- Tuition assistance
- Academic sponsorship with Methodist College
- Free parking

Responsibilities:

Essential Functions

1. Sorts, disassembles, cleans, and disinfects contaminated instruments and equipment to render items safe for handling, by using special techniques and procedures of Universal Barrier Precautions.

• Follows procedures for manual cleaning process.
• Follows procedures for automated cleaning process.
• Proper use of chemicals and knowledge of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) forms.
• Practices Universal precautions, Infection Control policies and observes safe work practices.
• Communicates to appropriate personnel regarding sharps, punctures and other potential risks.
• Operates decontamination machinery in strict accordance with departmental procedures.
• Adheres to using personal protective equipment (PPE) while working in decontamination.

2. Prepares instrument sets/trays and other reusable patient equipment by following recipe sheets to ensure the completeness and accuracy of each item.

• Precisely follows individual recipe sheets for each set/tray/item being assembled.
• Replace lost or damaged instruments as required to complete the set/tray.
• Conducts quality checks on instruments for cleanliness, function, defects, breakage and overall condition.
• Flushes all instruments with lumens or cannulated.

3. Performs sterile linen processing according to established guidelines to ensure availability of sterile linen. Packages each set/tray/item as directed on each recipe sheet and per the department's policy.

• Correctly assembles and wrap linen packs according to guidelines.
• Keeps sterile linen stocked to the set par levels.
• Proper wrapping techniques used when using non-woven wrapper.
• Proper packaging techniques used when using paper peel pouches.
• Proper techniques and supplies used when using rigid containers.

4. Loads sterilization cart/chamber according to method of sterilization and set policies and procedures and unloading sterilization carts to ensure smooth and timely processing and delivery of sterile instruments and supplies by carefully and properly handling items on the cart as outlined in department procedure manual.

• Operate sterilizers in strict accordance with departmental procedures.
• Followings policy and procedures for steam sterilization.
• Followings policy and procedures for Ethylene Oxide sterilization.
• Followings policy and procedures for Gas plasma sterilization.
• Understands and interprets mechanical, chemical and biological indicators.
• Prepare sterilization loads according to sterilization method and policies.
• Incubates self contained biologicals according to protocol.

5. Maintains accurate records of sterilization and of all equipment in the department by utilizing the instrument tracking system by following departmental policies and procedures to comply with federal and other external regulations.

• Maintains Sterile Processing Department (SPD)'s equipment service log.
• Maintains accurate sterilization records/documentation.
• Follows protocol for scanning bar coded items.
• Scanning items to the proper stations and locations.
• Sterilization records entered accurately into the sterilization module.
• Consistently records accurate load control numbers.
• Consistently verifies and initials all records according to policy.

6. Distributes instruments sets to ensure receipt by departments in a timely manner.

• Deliver sterile cart to Operating Room (OR)/Outpatient Surgery (OPS) in a timely manner.
• Accurately delivers sterile items in the correct location as designated in Sterile Processing Department (SPD).
• Responds to Operating Room (OR)/Outpatient Surgery (OPS)'s requests in a timely manner.

7. Perform UV cleaning of used equipment following established procedures.
 

Schedule:

2:45pm to 11:15pm with rotating weekends and holidays

Job Description:

Job Requirements

Education

• High School diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D.) preferred.

Experience

• 1 – 2 years previous experience in Sterile Processing preferred.

License/Certifications

• N/A

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Knowledge of decontamination of surgical instruments preferred.
• Skilled in appropriate surgical instrument sterilization methods preferred.
• Skilled in proper handling and packaging of instruments preferred.
• Strong verbal communication skills for positive interaction with staff and customers required.
• Able to read, write, and comprehend various written reports and documents required.

Physical Requirements

Weight Demands

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

Physical Activity

Not necessary for the position (0%):

• Climbing
• Crawling
• Walking

Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):

• Balancing
• Crouching
• Keyboarding/typing
• Kneeling
• Sitting

Frequently Performed (34%-66%):

• Carrying
• Distinguish colors
• Grasping
• Lifting
• Pulling/Pushing
• Reaching
• Repetitive Motions
• Speaking/talking
• Stooping/bending
• Twisting

Constantly Performed (67%-100%):

• Hearing
• Seeing/visual
• Standing
• Walking

Job Hazards

Not Related:

• Explosives (pressurized gas)
• Electrical Shock/Static
• Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-Ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
• Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)

Occasionally (34%-66%):

• Biological agents (primary airborne & blood borne viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) Blood or Body Fluid (BBF)
• Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
• Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)

Frequent (67-100%):

• Mechanical moving parts/vibrations

About Methodist:

Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.

Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.