Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for ensuring surgical supplies, instruments and equipment are properly inventoried, decontaminated, assembled, inspected, packaged, sterilized, stored, distributed, and tracked in a quality, timely manner throughout BSMH.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Sterilization Process- Uses knowledge of sterilization principles to correctly wrap, package, and sterilize instrumentation and other items appropriately using, but not limited to: ethylene oxide, sterrad, V-pro, or steam sterilization
2. Identifies and inspects instruments for cleanliness and functionality.
3. Properly documents and verifies sterilization loads and biological test to determine the efficacy of the sterilization process.
4. Properly loads and operates all sterilizers, helps to maintain the sterilizers in good working order through preventative maintenance.
5. Inspects sterilizers for visible signs of malfunction and reports as needed.
6. Processes surgical instrumentation in the instrument tracking system to maintain accurate assembly.
7. Insures proper operation of all sterilization equipment of a daily basis.
8. Runs biological and chemical tests and completes reports.
9. Ability to do minor troubleshooting of equipment used in process.
10. Decontamination Process: Identifies and uses appropriate methods and solutions to sort, disassemble, decontaminate, rinse and disinfect instruments and clinical equipment.
11. Operates washers/various sterilizers and other departmental equipment.
12. Appropriately handles garbage, linen, and bio hazardous materials.
13. Appropriately uses Personal Protective Equipment at all times.
14. Understands principles of safe work practices and universal protocol
15. Distribution: Retrieves, disburses, and tracks instrumentation, carts, and supplies using the current hospital tracking system.

• Able to stand for long periods.
• Able to lift 25 lbs on a repetitive basis.

Work Experience

• Previous instrument processing experience preferred

Skills

Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, bacteriology. Basic knowledge of infection control. Mechanical aptitude, including the ability to assemble/disassemble instruments, understand the workings of machinery used to clean/sterilize instrumentation and troubleshoot. Critical thinking skills, ability to work independently, take direction, act in a professional manner, be a team player, basic computer skills.