Central Sterile Processing Associate

Upmc Passavant; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

UPMC Passavant in Pittsburgh, PA, is seeking a Part-Time Central Sterile Processing Associate for the McCandless location. Title and salary are determined by education and patient experience, with a commitment to core values and safe practice.

The role supports sterilization, decontamination, and instrument processing; opportunities to contribute to quality improvement and patient safety are emphasized within a collaborative healthcare team.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent; preferred enrollment in sterile processing program.
• Certification: may be required (see qualifications) and continuing education expectations.
• Stand for shift hours and lift up to 35 pounds; PA/NY certification requirements per facility.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of performance improvement tools and techniques.
• Maintains decontamination and sterilization processes per standards.
• Prepares and assembles surgical trays and equipment following listings.
• Operates sterilizers, monitors parameters and ensures safety compliance.
• Communicates clearly with team; participates in performance improvement activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Enrollment in surgical tech/sterile processing program

Job description

Part‑Time Central Sterile Processing Associate – UPMC Passavant

ANCC Magnet designated UPMC Passavant is hiring a Part‑Time Central Sterile Processing Associate to support the Sterilization Department at the McCandless location. Title and salary will be determined based upon education and patient experience.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of performance improvement tools and techniques.
• Continuously improves the quality of care and the work environment, integrating research and best practices into daily work.
• Practices solid verbal and written communication skills, articulating and translating information to other care providers and negotiating/recommending 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 goals and business unit/health system goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction.
• Creates a caring and 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 through mentoring, 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 practice and patient care.
• Makes recommendations for the improvement of clinical care and workplace health and welcomes participation in change initiatives.
• Leads by investing in 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 trays 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 can 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 and patient care equipment.
• Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills.
• Displays awareness of cost containment by using economy in time, motion and material.
• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• Develops and improves skills through initiative, attendance and participation at educational programs.
• Participates as a team member and is accountable for own work responsibilities.
• Demonstrates UPMC’s commitment to the Core Values by understanding the needs of patients, families, physicians and coworkers and doing what is required the first time, every time, by being responsible, sensitive, accurate, timely, coordinated and thorough.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by authorized personnel or as may be required to meet emergency situations.
• Performs in accordance with system‑wide competencies/behaviors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent with no experience – OR – Currently enrolled in an accredited surgical technician/sterile processing program – preferred.
• One year of experience within UPMC – preferred.
• If grandfathered as a technician who does not hold certification, must complete 10 hours of continuing education annually to remain qualified as a Central Sterile Technician.
• 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 lift or move up to 35 pounds.
• Certification: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution OR Certified Registered Central Service Technician with Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.
• Act 34 compliance.
• Employees active in a Central Sterile position on or before 12/27/2020 at a healthcare facility are grandfathered regarding certification and need not obtain it unless they move to a position that requires certification.
• Certification required for our PA and NY facilities (MD facilities are excluded). New employees in PA and NY facilities have 18 months from date of hire to obtain required certification.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran