Sterile Processing Associate: 40 hrs/week

Albany Medical Center; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Albany Med Health System in Albany, NY, seeks a Sterile Processing technician. You will retrieve, decontaminate, assemble and package surgical instruments, operate sterilization equipment, and prepare case carts for the operating room.

The role involves rotating through all area functions and follows Joint Commission, OSHA, CDC, AAMI and AORN standards to ensure patient safety. Minimum requirements include a High School diploma or equivalent, certification in sterile processing and distribution,

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent and certification in sterile processing and distribution.
• Must maintain minimum of 10 CEU’S per year by NYS Law.
• Entry Level. Prefer 1–3 years’ experience.
• Must commit to certification within 18 months of hire.
• Strong attention to detail, vigilance, and meticulous care on the job.
• Passion for keeping people safe.
• Good judgment and critical-thinking skills.
• Manual dexterity and the ability to handle fragile equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operates all required equipment and sterilizes instruments to standards.
• Prepares, assembles, and sterilizes instruments and supplies.
• Maintains records and monitors quality control and infection control standards.
• Coordinates with Materials Dept to ensure PAR levels.
• Communicates with operating room staff to provide required instruments.
• Reports damaged or malfunctioning equipment for replacement.
• Acts as a resource to nursing staff regarding sterilization techniques.
• Cleans, sets up, sterilizes, and distributes instruments as scheduled.
• Maintains QA and sterilization records.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Manual dexterity

Critical thinking

Communication

Education

High School diploma

Certification in sterile processing

Job description

Department/Unit:

Sterile Processing

Work Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Salary Range:

$41,923.00 - $54,500.00

Sterile Processing:
Performs all Sterile Processing functions: retrieval and decontamination of soiled/ used surgical instrumentation; inspects, assembles and packages delicate instrumentation; operates sterilization equipment; transports supplies, builds case carts for the operating room, processes instrumentation, operates cleaning equipment and replenishes stocks. Expected to rotate through all area functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operates all required equipment and machinery accurately and safely. Prepares, assembles, and sterilizes instruments and supplies according to parameters of sterilization in accordance with The Department of Health, TJC, OSHA, CDC, AAMI and AORN standards.

• Maintains appropriate records, and monitors quality control and infection control standards. Provides asset management and support of surgical instruments and trays belonging to or consigned to the facility.

• Accurately handles and cares for instruments appropriately, including appropriate selection of cleaning agents, lubricants, examination for function, identification, and assembly according to OneSource and preparation for sterilization. Retrieves malfunctioning instruments and ensures repairs are completed.

• Correctly peel-packs supplies/instruments, wraps instruments for sterilization, inspect each instrument for use, function, completeness, and cleanliness.

• Coordinates with Materials Dept to ensure facility sets are stocked to PAR levels.

• Ensures safe care to patients, staff, and visitors; adheres to all FSC policies, procedures and standards and quality of service.

• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; Communicate with operating room staff to provide required instruments.

• Responsible for reporting damaged or malfunctioning equipment to Clinical Director and Material Manger and follow process for replacement.

• Acts as a resource to nursing staff in all departments regarding responsibilities of proper sterilization techniques.

• Clean, set up, sterilize, and distribute instruments as scheduled on each shift.

• Maintains records for QA and sterilization.

• Employees are expected to comply with all regulatory requirements, including Joint Commission Standards.

• Is familiar with organization, department, and job specific Environment of Care areas, including Life Safety, Hazardous Materials Communications, Emergency Preparedness, Infection Control and Medical Equipment Failure.

• Adheres to Standard Precautions as appropriate, which may include: the use of protective barriers, as appropriate (e.g., gloves, masks, gowns, pocket masks, and/or safety glasses); handling and disposing of infectious waste appropriately; and hand washing as appropriate.

Minimum Requirements:

• A High School diploma or equivalent and certification in sterile processing and distribution.
• Must maintain minimum of 10 CEU’S per year by NYS Law.
• Entry Level. Prefer 1–3 years’ experience. Prefer prior Sterile Processing Department, Operating Room support and/or prior details-oriented assembly experience.
• Must commit to achievement of certification by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) within 18 months of hire.
• Strong attention to detail, vigilance, and meticulous care on the job.
• Passion for keeping people safe.
• Good judgment and critical-thinking skills.
• Manual dexterity and the ability to handle fragile equipment.
• Technical skills and familiarity with sterilization techniques.
• The ability to work well in a team or independently.

Thank you for your interest in Albany Med Health System!

Albany Med Health System is an equal opportunity employer.

This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Med Health System, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:

Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Health System policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.