Sterile Processing Tech

University of Michigan Health-West; Wyoming (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan Health-West seeks a Lead Sterile Processing Technician for the Sterile Processing Department, evenings (M-F), 40hrs/week. You will supervise SPD technicians, coordinate workflow, and ensure decontamination, sterilization, and storage procedures meet hospital standards.

The ideal candidate holds a Sterile Processing Technician Certification with 4 years of SPD experience, strong leadership and communication, and the ability to work with urgency while maintaining accuracy.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or equivalent.
• Current Sterile Processing Technician Certification required.
• Endoscope Reprocessing or Instrument Specialist certification within 6 months.
• 4 years of Sterile Processing experience.
• Knowledge of sterile or aseptic technique and decontamination principles.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work with urgency while maintaining accuracy.
• Demonstrates UMH-West values and teamwork.
• Proficient with computers and data entry.
• Critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SPD Technician work assignments on shift and scheduling.
• Manage workflow to ensure completion of all tasks.
• Precept new employees during orientation.
• Orient SPD staff on new systems with SPD Manager.
• Prioritize tasks and communicate next steps for surgery schedule.
• Demonstrate leadership and interdepartmental communication.
• Rotate through workstations and perform all SPD duties.
• Clean and sort soiled instrumentation per standards.
• Operate washer decontaminator and other equipment.
• Package instrument sets per count sheets and inspect instruments.
• Maintain daily records of BI/Bowie-Dick tests.
• Assist SPD leadership and participate in quality improvement.
• Inventory stock and coordinate with purchasing.
• Adhere to hospital policies and values.
• Provide input on performance and participate in committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Sterile Processing

Decontamination

Sterilization

Quality control

Education

High school diploma

Sterile Processing Technician Certification

Endoscope Reprocessing Certification

Instrument Specialist Certification

Tools

Washer Decontaminator

Ultrasonic Cleaner

Automated Scope Processor

Sterilizers

Job description

Lead Sterile Processing Tech - Sterile Processing Department * Evenings (M-F) - 40hrs/wk

Shift: Evenings

General Summary:

The Lead Certified Sterile Processing Technician assumes responsibility for work assignments of Sterile Processing Technicians on their shift. The Lead Tech will supervise and coordinate the activities of the other technician’s performance and be able to demonstrate all aspects of Sterile Processing Department (SPD), decontamination, assembly, sterilization, high level disinfection, sterile storage and distribution of instrumentation and medical supplies procedures in accordance with hospital policies. The position also acts as liaison to the SPD Manager, SPD team members and Surgery. Physical activity may involve lifting 20–50-pound instrument trays or sets, walking, pushing and pulling of carts and equipment. Demonstrate strong leadership skills. Occasionally works overtime, rotating weekends and holidays and must take on-call on a rotating basis for weekends and holidays.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High school diploma, ( GED) or equivalent
• Current Sterile Processing Technician Certification is required
• Certification for Endoscope Reprocessing or Instrument Specialist required or obtained within 6 months of hire.
• 4 years’ prior experience in Sterile Processing is required.
• Knowledge of sterile or aseptic technique.
• Knowledge of decontamination and sterilization principles.
• Must be accurate and willing to follow set rules and standards of practice.
• Able to work with a sense of urgency while maintaining accuracy.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrates the UMH-West values of Teamwork, Caring and Integrity in their interactions with patients and fellow team members.
• Self-motivated, self-directed, and assumes responsibility for actions.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, looks for ways to improve job and department. Is enthusiastic about the success of co-workers.
• Identifies functional instrument system problems and assists in the resolution of the problems.
• Informs SPD staff on instrument status daily and as needed.
• Demonstrates commitment to group goals, UMH-West Health’s goals, missions & values and teamwork.
• Participate in the quality improvement plan as directed by the SPD Manager. Monitors quality issues and identifies them to the SPD Manager.
• Knowledge of computers and data entry.
• Must show proficiency in Critical Thinking Skills

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Oversees for work assignments of SPD Technicians on their shift and may be responsible for scheduling in response to ill calls.
2. Oversees for the workflow on their shift and ensures completion of all work
3. Precepts new employees during orientation. May delegate this responsibility to other staff members if necessary.
4. Helps in orientation of SPD staff on new systems and procedures in coordination with the SPD Manger and Surgical Service educator.
5. Prioritizes tasks, meets deadlines, and is responsible for work assignments of SPD technicians on their shift to ensure the completion of work. Communicates to the next shift what needs to be done for the next day’s surgery schedule.
6. Demonstrates effective communication skills between staff members, SPD Manager and surgery department, when necessary. Demonstrates strong and effective leadership skills.
7. Rotates through all workstations efficiently and performs all SPD functions and assorted support duties. Develops and maintains effective interdepartmental and intradepartmental communication.
8. Accurately cleans and sorts all soiled instrumentation, drills, scopes and other medical equipment entering the decontamination area. Always adheres to Universal/Standard Precautions.
9. Operates the washer decontaminator, cart washer, ultrasonic cleaner, automated scope processor, all sterilizers, and computer.
10. Performs proper principles and strict techniques of sterilization. Keeps and maintains daily records of testing results of BI's and BOWIE-DICK tests. Makes the necessary follow up actions when needed.
11. Assesses and packages instrument sets according to count sheets, standards, and manufacturer’s instructions. Inspects all instruments for good working condition. Uses appropriate chemical indicators for sterilization. Maintains an error rate that is below 2.0% per month for tray accuracy.
12. Assists in additional duties as identified by SPD Manager and Director of Surgical Services.
13. Inventories stock and non-stock supplies and implants. Maintains appropriate par levels and orders, as needed stock and non-stock supplies.
14. Interacts with purchasing and vendors in SPD as necessary.
15. Adheres to the hospital policies and procedures. Incorporates hospital values into work practices. Adheres to Behavioral Standards and is a role model for these standards for all team members.
16. Provides input to SPD leadership in evaluating employees’ performance as needed.
17. Performs other duties as assigned. These may include but are not limited to: Maintaining a current knowledge base of department processes, protocols and procedures, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education opportunities, and participating in committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.

Requisition #: req12654

FTE status: 1

On-call: Yes

Weekends: No