Certified Sterile Processing Technician

AH_001 Arnot Ogden Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Arnot Health is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to support Central Services in Elmira, NY. You will decontaminate, sterilize, and distribute reusable surgical instruments, ensuring safety and efficiency in daily operations.

You will operate autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, and washer/sterilizers, while maintaining instrument inventories and collaborating with OR staff to ensure timely case turnover in a fast-paced hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of sanitary, infection control and safety standards to perform assignments safely.
• Must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and maintain credential.
• Evidence of employed or contracted central service technician experience within the past four years.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and processes scopes and surgical instruments, understanding cleaning parameters for items.
• Operates autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners and other processing equipment.
• Coordinates instrument repairs and ensures instruments are in good working order.
• Maintains instrument tray lists and stocks to support sterile processing workflows.
• Performs all other duties related to instrument processing/sterilization and distribution.

Skills

Sanitation standards

Infection control

Safety protocols

Education

Central service technician credential

National certification (CS tech)

Tools

Autoclaves

Ultrasonic cleaners

Washer/sterilizers

Job description

About Arnot Health

Arnot Health offers patient-centered, comprehensive health services to the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Campuses include Arnot Ogden Medical Center and St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira; Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in Bath, NY; and over 40 medical offices in the Southern Tier. Arnot Health is currently affiliated with more than 300 physicians from 50+ specialties. Arnot Health is a member of Centralus Health, a community-based integrated delivery system. Our mission is to deliver high-quality care, empower our teams to succeed, and improve the wellbeing of the communities we serve. Our commitment to quality personalized care begins with our exceptional team—over 6500 employees strong. At Arnot Health, you will work in a collaborative environment that values excellence, integrity, compassion and stewardship. Together, we create an environment where empathy, honesty and a dedication to quality thrive, empowering us to make a positive impact on the lives we touch. We offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities to help our employees grow and thrive. Whether you are just starting your career or taking the next step in healthcare, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of care in our communities. Learn more at www.arnothealth.org.

• We offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities to help our employees grow and thrive.

MAIN FUNCTION

The Sterile Processing Technician performs assigned duties under the direction of a licensed professional or member of the management team. The Sterile Processing Technician performs and participates in decontamination, cleaning, assembling, packaging, scanning, sterilization, storage and distribution of reusable surgical instrumentation and equipment. Is proficient in the operation of autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, washer sterilizers and other equipment for processing of surgical instrumentation. Collaborates with the surgical staff and management team in daily operations pertaining to inventory control, expense reduction, and instrumentation requests. Receives, disinfects, and redistributes equipment as well as necessary soft good supplies in the Central Services area. Reports to the Business Operations Director of Perioperative Services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Cleans and processes Scopes and surgical instruments - understands and acts upon cleaning parameters for all items used in surgery, i.e. understands the processing requirements for hand-washing items as compared to knowing what items can be machine washed.
2. Understands the correct method of sterilization for surgical items. Knows how to operate all processing equipment.
3. Coordinates instrument repairs - works with clinical staff to ensure all surgical instruments are in operational condition by detecting leaks, worn or lose parts or other indications. Works with Operating Room staff to ensure a sufficient on hand quantity is available.
4. Performs biological testing on autoclaves and chemical disinfectors, updates charts and logs. Fully understands the procedures for biological testing provides for guidance when implants and non-implantable processed items are requested for just in time sterilization.
5. Assists with picking surgical cases and prepares case carts - pull, pick and prepare add-on and scheduled cases.
6. Is responsible for instrument processing, cleaning and sterilization - reads and understands tray manufacturing list. Recognizes instruments by name and services usage.
7. Performs instrument processing, cleaning and sterilization - reads and understands a tray manufacturing list. Recognizes instruments by name and service usage.
8. Is responsible for instrument maintenance (milking, oiling, etc.) - has basic understanding of instrument mechanics.
9. Operates autoclaves, ultrasonic and other processing equipment.
10. Maintains instrument tray lists.
11. Checks sterile supplies to ensure that they are stored to enhance sterility maintenance and that the packing has not been compromised.
12. Is capable of assisting with concerns for processing all items for all areas. Is expected to respond to short time frame requests pertaining to instrument turnover with consideration for appropriate and safe processing.
13. Is able to work independently to accomplish daily goals.
14. Maintains equipment labels and coordinates with OR professional staff to make changes to preference cards.
15. Performs all other duties related to instrument processing/sterilization.
16. Sanitizes, maintains, and distributes; equipment, instruments, and soft medical supplies to hospital departments and AMS clinics.
17. Places orders to Storeroom and outside vendors in an effort to maintain inventory and Central Service par levels.
18. Conducts daily patient charges of distributed medical supplies and equipment.
19. Coordinates pick up and drop off of instruments, equipment, and medical supplies to hospital departments and AMS clinics. Verifies that equipment functions properly for equipment repair or replacement and removes defective equipment.
20. Coordinates with Storeroom, Purchasing Dept., and Clinical Engineering to provide necessary specialty equipment throughout the AOMC campus.
21. Maintains Code Carts and Isolation Carts.
22. Maintains a clean work area, assists with maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objective and quality improvement, safety and environmental and infection control standards. Is responsible for attending all annual mandatory educational programs as required by position.
23. Employee understands and demonstrates the importance of satisfying the needs of the customer/patient by interacting with him/her in a friendly and caring way, being attentive to the customer's needs, both psychologically and physically, and by taking the initiative to maintain communication with the customer in order to provide a secure and pleasant experience with the Medical Center.
24. It is understood that this lists typical duties for the classification and is not to be considered inclusive of all duties, which may be assigned.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

Candidates must meet following criteria: Knowledge of applicable sanitary, infection control and safety standards sufficient to be able to perform assignments within safety parameters Has successfully passed a nationally accredited central service exam for central service technicians; and holds and maintains one of the following credentials administered by a nationally accredited central service technician credentialing organization: certified registered central service technician credential; certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential; or a substantially equivalent credential Provide evidence of having been employed or otherwise contracted for the services of a central service technician in a healthcare facility for a cumulative period of one year, occurring within the four years immediately prior to January 1, 2015 Must complete 10 contact hours or CEU credits annually A central service technician who does not meet the requirements shall have 18 months from the date of hire to obtain the certified registered central service technician credential or the certified sterile processing and distribution technician credential. This certification must be maintained.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) REQUIREMENTS

No CPR required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to meet the demands of an active position, including reaching above head, extensive walking, stooping, standing and lifting light to heavy objects most of the day.

EXPOSURE CATEGORY

Category I. Tasks that involve exposure to blood and body fluid or tissue.

Company Culture

We're excited you're considering joining our team. At Centralus Health, we foster a culture of care, trust, and belonging. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to grow and thrive in your career while making meaningful connections with patients, families, colleagues, and communities.