Instrument Sterilization Technician

HealthPartners; Anoka (MN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverway Clinic is hiring an Instrument Sterilization Technician to support our Gastroenterology team. Under SPD leadership, you will handle, disinfect, assemble, and sterilize instrumentation for patient care, while stocking supplies and assisting with department maintenance.

Responsibilities include following sterilization parameters, maintaining sterile technique, and ensuring documentation accuracy. The role supports operating suites and patient care with a collaborative team approach.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Formal education in sterilization or related field.
• Minimum 6 months experience in sterile processing.

Responsibilities

• Loads, unloads and safely operates all sterilizers according to policies and procedures.
• Completes all monitoring paperwork and sterilization records within required timeline.
• Maintains sterility of equipment and supplies; observe chemical indicators for contamination.
• Transports, handles and stores sterile instruments and supplies per standards.
• Maintains organized environment conducive to sub-sterile/restricted spaces.

Skills

Sterilization knowledge

Safety compliance

Record keeping

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Formal education in sterilization

Tools

Sterilization equipment

Medivator

Job description

Riverway Clinic is looking to hire an Instrument Sterilization Technician to join ourGastroenterology team! Come join us as a Partner for Good and help us make an impact on the care and experience that our patients and their families receive every day.

Position Summary

Service excellence is to be centered on patient care and patient relationships and is the responsibility of all employees. Partnership is the norm and all employees will be held accountable to work as effective team members with both internal and external partners. Under the direction of the Sterile Processing Department Manager, SPD Supervisor/Coordinator and the lead technician, will be responsible for the proper handling, cleaning, disinfecting, assembly, sterilization, and handling of instrumentation and patient-related equipment to render items safe for handling and use; to monitor, stock and fill supplies; to assist with maintenance of the department; to support the operating suites in provision of patient care; and to perform other duties as assigned.

STERILIZATION

1. Knows and observes all safety precautions consistent with sterilization modalities
2. Loads, unloads and safely operates all sterilizers according to policies and procedures
3. Completes all monitoring paperwork, sterilization records and records for instrument sets within required timeline.
4. Maintains sterility of equipment and supplies; observe chemical indicators to determine if products have been contaminated.
5. Transports, handles and stores sterile instruments and supplies per appropriate standards.
6. Functional capabilities to process, incubate, and interpret biological testing with subsequent action according to biological results.
7. Load construction with analysis for problem resolution.
8. Detailed, functional knowledge and application of sterilization parameters for steam, hydrogen peroxide, and ethylene oxide sterilization with interpretation and analysis. Intervention as indicated through analysis.
9. Establishes and maintains an organized, functional environment conducive to principles of sub-sterile/restricted spaces in conjunction with basic asepsis.

DECONTAMINATION

1. Treats all instruments and equipment in the decontamination areas appropriately.
2. Follows policy and procedure appropriately when handling or cleaning instruments and equipment.
3. Follows proper cleaning procedures for the item(s) being cleaned.
4. Organizes and sorts instrument sets and equipment for proper cleaning, decontamination and ensures the appropriate method of cleaning is being used.
5. Performs presoaking, performs manual cleaning/washing and loading of instruments in the Medivator.
6. Assures that all instruments and equipment are rendered safe for handling and use before entry to the clean room.
7. Prioritizes work.
8. Establishes and maintains an organized, functional environment that is conducive to principles of decontamination and flow/efficiency.

INSTRUMENTATION

1. Inspects and reassembles clean instrumentation and equipment according to standard operating procedures.
2. Sorts instruments according to type. Assembles instrument sets according to appropriate recipe.
3. Prepares instrument sets and appropriately places in either rigid containers, or pr prepares for wrapping, with proper identification, entering into queue for sterilization.
4. Ensures instruments and equipment are in good working order and recommends the repair or replacement appropriately.
5. Maintains currency with new instruments, equipment and tracking system changes.
6. Responds in timely manner to orders from external clients.
7. Maintainsappropriate levels of sterile instrument sets and individual instrumentation relative to scheduling.
8. Prioritizes work according to direction and demand, monitoring flow and timing in accord with resources.

Work Schedule

4 days per week

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Formal education in sterilization OR
• At least 6 months experience in sterile processing/surgical instrumentation.

Successful completion of sterilization, decontamination, and instrumentation competencies within 6 months of hire.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Organizes effectively.
• Establishes priorities.
• Understands regulations and procedures.
• Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments.
• Knowledge of common safety hazards and universal precautions to establish safe working conditions.
• Ability to maintain records, write reports and respond to correspondence.
• Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance.
• Maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, and the public.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures.
• Ability to communicate clearly.
• Ability to work quickly under pressure.
• Works productively as a team player.