Sterile Processing Technician I

Healthier Mississippi People (HMP); Missouri; On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization in Missouri seeks a Sterile Processing Technician. The role involves cleaning, sterilizing, and preparing surgical instruments for safe distribution in operating rooms. Candidates must possess a high school diploma and an ability to apply clinical knowledge. Additional preferences include experience in a healthcare environment. Strong compliance with safety and infection control practices is required, and the position demands frequent exposure to various environmental conditions. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to exceptional customer service.

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and apply clinical knowledge in a healthcare setting.
• Familiarity with sterilization equipment and practices.
• Basic computer literacy necessary for record maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Cleans, decontaminates, and sterilizes surgical instruments.
• Ensures compliance with hospital policies on sterilization and safety.
• Operates sterilization equipment and maintains quality controls.

Skills

Ability to learn and apply clinical knowledge

Basic computer skills

Reading and writing skills

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Job Summary

Become acquainted with and understand SPD procedures, to include decontamination, Prep and Pack, high level disinfection, endoscope reprocessing, sterilizing instruments and operating SPD mechanical equipment properly and safely. Technicians will become acquainted with and understand the process of supplying instruments and other items to the OR and ancillary departments accurately and in a timely manner. Upon completion of orientation and training, techs will be expected to inspect, assemble, package and sterilize surgical instrument sets and procedural trays, and mechanical equipment, for the OR and ancillary departments. Maintains accuracy of 98% or higher. Maintains productivity 90% or higher. Facilitates the interactions between the SPD and OR. The decisions made by the Sterile Processing Technician, and the interpersonal skills used to implement those decisions, must foster an environment of caring and dedication amongst the employees. This job profile may require call subject to the department's discretion.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to learn, understand, and apply clinical knowledge and skills. Basic computer skills. Reading and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Cleans, decontaminates, sterilizes, maintains, and prepares surgical instruments and equipment for distribution.
• Ensures compliance with hospital policies and procedures pertaining to the cleaning, sterilization, assembling, storage, and/or validation of medical supplies and equipment.
• Ensures compliance with safety, environmental and/or infection control practices. Maintains applicable records and files.
• Operates sterilization equipment and washers and maintains quality/safety controls documentation.
• Collaborates and maintains inventory of clean and sterilized surgical instruments in accordance with UMMC and regulatory standards.
• Follows infection prevention policies, AORN recommendation practices, OSHA guidelines, AAMI guidelines, and other regulatory requirements in the daily practice in order to assure a safe work environment for self, coworkers, and patients.
• Demonstrates core standards of exceptional customer service.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Education and Experience Required

High school diploma/GED

Certifications, Licenses or Registration Required

N/A

Preferred Qualifications

Experience within healthcare environment

Physical and Environmental Demands

Requires frequent exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, frequent handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment, constant exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations, occasional working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours, occasional activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, occasional work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, frequent bending, occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, occasional climbing, occasional crawling, occasional crouching/stooping, occasional driving, frequent kneeling, frequent pushing/pulling, frequent reaching, occasional sitting, frequent standing, frequent twisting, and frequent walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)