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Work Shift

Job Summary:

The Sterile Processing Technician provides a key service WellStar to ensure equipment consistently meets the highest quality and safety standards. The individual in this role must be skilled in following protocols with a high level of attention to detail.
This position receives and processes incoming supplies and equipment including performing cleaning and sterilizing duties. He she is responsible for handling, properly processing and storing crucial medical instruments. He/she is responsible for sterilizer equipment monitoring for adherence to performance specifications, including inspection and documentation. He/she prepares packs of supplies, linens, and instruments in Central Sterile Supply or Materials Management as directed.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Collects, receives, cleans, disinfects, and decontaminates instruments, supplies and equipment according to hospital policies and procedures, AORN recommendations, AAMI guidelines and JCAHO requirements.
* Collects dirty instruments and equipment from departments throughout the hospital.
* Receives dirty instruments and scans bar code and equipment from the operating room.
* Disassembles and inspects instruments and selects appropriate cleaning tools and detergents to manually decontaminate instruments and equipment.
* Operates washer-decontaminator, cart washer, and ultrasonic cleaner to mechanically decontaminate instruments and equipment.
Inspects surgical instruments and medical equipment and detect need for repair or replacement and inspects for cleanliness, assembles, wraps or containerizes instruments and equipment. a. Unloads Washer and scans bar codes on surgical trays.
* Inspects instruments and equipment to ensure in proper working order and for cleanliness.
* Scans bar code to Select appropriate count sheet for tray and ensures each instrument is accounted for.
* Selects appropriate chemical indicator for inside and outside of package based on mode of sterilization.
* Selects appropriate wrapping method or container.
* Assesses problems with trays and contacts O.R. resource staff and supply coordinator as needed for resolution.
Sterilizes instruments, equipment and supplies as required; handles and stores instruments, equipment and supplies appropriately.
* Appropriately select mode of sterilization for instruments and equipment.
* Loads and unloads sterilizer and documents accordingly.
* Selects biological indicator test pack if necessary for implantables on load.
* Operates steam, gas plasma and peracetic acid sterilizers.
* Appropriately handles, scans bar code and stores sterilized items in predetermined locations for future use.
* Scans bar code and delivers sterile supplies, instruments and instrument trays to units throughout the hospital.
Monitors sterilizers and equipment mechanically, biologically, and chemically in accordance with quality assurance standards and performance improvement standards.
* Inspects sterilizer before use by checking for proper operating order by checking power supply, emptying drains, cleaning, and adding register tape as needed.
* Performs daily biological and diagnostic tests and documents appropriately, factually and legibly.
* Inform leadership in the event of positive biological indicator.
* Selects appropriate chemical indicators internally and externally according to mode of sterilization and documents results.
Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards, patient rights and ethics, performance improvement, management of information, management of human resources and leadership.
* Follows established policies and procedures for Blood Born Pathogens and Standard Precautions to identify and reduce the risks of infections among patients, employees, etc.
* Handles all department, patient and hospital information in a confidential manner.
* Makes suggestions for improvement, accepts constructive feedback, assists and accepts assistance from staff members.
* Documents accurately and legibly.
* Maintains a safe, functional and effective environment for patients, staff and other individuals.
* Promotes through action an environment for an interdisciplinary team approach to achieve the mission/goals of the hospital.
* Makes decisions that reflect knowledge of facts and demonstrates good judgment when functioning as a team member of team leader.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma General or GED General or Accredited Program Other-Preferred

Required Minimum Experience:

Minimum 2 years of central supply/sterile processing experience preferred
completion of accredited program in sterile processing/central supply preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Must be able to retain knowledge of identification and necessary handling requirements of surgical instruments and medical supplies and equipment.
Must be able to understand, speak, and write English well to communicate with the nursing, technical and medical staff.
Basic computer skills are required.

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