Position Summary: 

While working behind the scenes in a fast paced environment, a sterile processing technician ensures patient safety for Bozeman Health without being patient facing. Responsible for safe & efficient practices for decontamination, instrument assembly, wrapping & sterilization of all reprocessed instruments, distribution of equipment, and case cart management. Supports departmental initiatives to meet productivity standard and flexible staffing needs. Interacts daily with a wide variety of staff, disciplines, service lines, and vendors.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required

• High School diploma

Preferred

• Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST), Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS), Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER), Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL), or field related certification
• previous healthcare experience

Essential Job Functions:

In addition to the essential functions of the job listed below, employees must have on-time completion of all required education as assigned per DNV requirements, Bozeman Health policy, and other registry requirements.

• Collecting used and contaminated equipment, instruments, and supplies for sorting and decontamination.
• Manually cleaning supplies of contaminants, removing waste matter, and operating & maintaining decontamination equipment.
• Preparing & packing decontaminated supplies for sterilization.
• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.
• Monitoring, operating, and testing sterilization equipment including washers, ultrasonics, automatic endoscope preprocessors, autoclaves, low temperature sterilizers, and drying cabinets.
• Examining supplies meticulously to ensure they are properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Sterilizing, preparing, wrapping, and organizing equipment into instrument trays for use during medical procedures.
• Preparing and delivering all necessary equipment and instruments for surgeries, examinations, medical procedures, and medical carts.
• Maintaining records of sterilization procedures, sterilized items, equipment maintenance, and supplies.
• Controlling the inventory, reordering supplies, and checking expiration dates.
• Participating in regular in-service education.
• Complying with the standards established by all regulatory agencies.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Education requirements per DNV programs

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail, vigilance, and meticulous care on the job.
• Good judgment and critical-thinking skills.
• Manual dexterity and the ability to handle fragile equipment.
• Ability to work well in a team or independently.
• Capability to work in a face paced and stressful environment.
• Ability to work varied shifts.
• Self-directed; completes assignments accurately, thoroughly, and with minimal oversight.
• Strong emotional intelligence, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

Schedule Requirements

• This role requires regular and sustained attendance.
• The position may necessitate working beyond a standard 40-hour workweek, including weekends and after-hours shifts.
• On-call work may be required to respond promptly to organizational, patient, or employee needs.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting (Rarely – 30 pounds): Exerting force occasionally and/or using a negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects or people.
• Sit (Continuously): Maintaining a sitting posture for extended periods may include adjusting body position to prevent discomfort or strain.
• Stand (Occasionally): Maintaining a standing posture for extended periods may include adjusting body position to prevent discomfort or strain.
• Walk (Occasionally): Walking and moving around within the work area requires good balance and coordination.
• Climb (Rarely): Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like using feet and legs; may also use hands and arms.
• Twist/Bend/Stoop/Kneel (Occasionally): Twisting, bending, stooping, and kneeling require flexibility and a wide range of motion in the spine and joints.
• Reach Above Shoulder Level (Occasionally): Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects as necessary above the shoulder, requiring strength and stability.
• Push/Pull (Occasionally): Using the upper extremities to press or exert force against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Fine-Finger Movements (Continuously): Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than using the whole hand as in handling.
• Vision (Continuously): Close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures and to read computer screens, printed materials, and handwritten materials.
• Cognitive Skills (Continuously): Learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow.
• Exposures (Rarely): Bloodborne pathogens, such as blood, bodily fluids, or tissues. Radiation in settings where medical imaging procedures are performed. Various chemicals and medications are used in healthcare settings. Job tasks may involve handling cleaning products, disinfectants, and other substances. Infectious diseases due to contact with patients in areas that may have contagious illnesses.

*Frequency Key:  Continuously (100% - 67% of the time), Repeatedly (66% - 33% of the time), Occasionally (32% - 4% of the time), Rarely (3% - 1% of the time), Never (0%).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job classification.  They are not to be construed as a contract of any type nor an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by individuals so classified.