Central Sterile Processing Associate

UPMC; Carlisle (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC is seeking a Central Sterile Technician to perform decontamination, cleaning, inspection, and assembly of reusable surgical instruments. You will sterilize, package, store, and document processing steps following established procedures.

Strong communication and teamwork are essential to ensure patient safety and care quality. High school diploma or GED is required; enrollment in an accredited Surgical Technician/Sterile Processing program is preferred, along with 1 year of UP​MC experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent; no experience required, or enrolled in an accredited Surgical Technician/Sterile Processing program.
• 1 year of experience within UPMC preferred.
• Certification requirements may apply for PA/NY facilities; plan to obtain certification within 18 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates, cleans, inspects, assembles and sterilizes reusable surgical instruments and equipment.
• Prepares and assembles surgical trays and equipment for issue or storage.
• Ensures proper operation by monitoring sterilizers and troubleshooting equipment.
• Maintains documentation and communicates clearly with care teams to support patient safety and quality care.

Skills

Sterile processing

Decontamination

Communication

Critical thinking

Education

High school diploma/GED

Accredited Surgical Technician/Sterile Processing Program

Job description

To be trained to perform duties necessary for the proper decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, distribution and documentation of reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment according to established procedures.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of performance improvement tools and techniques. Continuously improves the quality of care and the work environment of outcomes and the integration of research and best practices into daily work. Shares learning from improvements with other units and/or spreads across the business unit or system.
• Practices solid verbal and written communication skills, and is able to articulate and translate to other care providers and to negotiate and make recommendations for changes in unit practices Documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Demonstrates critical thinking in the analysis of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction of the patient experience in daily work. Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with colleagues. Disseminates new knowledge and innovations through presentations, posters, and publications.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by building teams and relationships through mentoring and modeling uplifting and positive communication. Coaches colleagues on cultural diversity and addresses workplace horizontal violence and impairment. Demonstrates accountability to self and others for safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyles.
• Demonstrates interest in the development of others and positively impacts the lives of patients/families, peers, and members of the healthcare team through mentoring, education, and knowledge sharing. Seeks opportunities to share expertise with other members of the healthcare team within and beyond the clinical unit/department.
• Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Makes recommendations for the improvement of clinical care and the health of the workplace and welcomes and participates in change initiatives. Leads by investing and building healthy relationships among colleagues and other disciplines. Shows the ability to set priorities.
• Conforms and adheres to department policies concerning decontamination, sterile processing, infection control and safety.
• Cleans and decontaminates reusable equipment, instruments, and supplies, manually and mechanically.
• Prepares and assembles surgical tray and equipment following established tray listings for issue, storage, or further processing.
• Monitors, reads, documents, and interprets all parameters for all types of sterilizers to ensure proper function.
• Maintains a working knowledge of, and is able to effectively troubleshoot, all decontamination/sterilization equipment.
• Assesses supplies required for prescribed standard surgical procedures and sets up case carts. Maintains inventory, collects, disassembles, inspects, cleans, disinfects and reassembles all instrument trays patient care equipment.
• Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills.
• Displays awareness of cost containment in the organization of work by using economy in time, motion and material.
• High school diploma/GED or equivalent with no experience -OR- Currently enrolled in an Accredited Surgical Technician/Sterile Processing Program Preferred -OR-1 year of experience within UPMC
• If grandfathered as a technician who does not hold certification, must complete 10 hours of continuing education to remain qualified as a Central Sterile Technician on an annual basis. Certified staff are required to complete 10-12 hours of continuing education as a condition of maintaining certification, as determined by the certifying body. Staff pending certification within 18 months of hire are not required to complete continuing education until certified.MUST be able to stand for all shift hours and be able to pick up, push, pull etc. 35 pounds.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Employees active in a Central Sterile position, on or before the effective date 12/27/2020, at a healthcare facility, are grandfathered regarding certification and will not need to obtain it unless they move into a different position that would require certification.
• Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution or Certified Registered Central Service Technician with Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.
• Certification required for our PA and NY facilities (MD facilities are excluded). New employees in our PA and NY facilities (MD is excluded) will have 18 months from date of hire to obtain required certification.
• Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution OR Certified Registered Central Service Technician with Healthcare Sterile Processing Association
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran