Sterile Processing Tech II

University of Maryland Medical System; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore is looking for a dedicated professional to manage the sterilization and decontamination of medical instruments. This role requires adherence to safety protocols and meticulous attention to detail to ensure patient safety.

Qualified candidates must have at least 6 months of experience in Central Sterile Processing (CSP) and hold the necessary certifications. The position offers a chance to contribute significantly to patient care and safety in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• At least 6 months of CSP experience.
• Certified CRCST or CBSPDT required.
• Certification in flexible endoscope reprocessing within 12 months if assigned.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate, disinfect, and sterilize medical instruments.
• Assemble and prepare instrument trays for sterilization.
• Monitor and document sterilization processes.

Skills

Communication skills

Ability to follow safety protocols

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)

Tools

PC and computerized database systems

Job description

General Summary

Under general supervision, decontaminates, disinfects, assembles, packages, stores and issues medical/surgical instruments, supplies and equipment in accordance with UMMCs policies and industry best practices and standards. Fulfillment of the job duties requires the employee to have access to medication storage areas.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

• Preceptor for trainees after demonstrated and documented proficiency. e.g. decontamination, prep and pack, sterilization; TOR; case cart assembly, sterile storage and distribution. May assist with basic troubleshooting of equipment used with flexible endoscopes.
• Decontamination/Retrieval of Soiled Instruments from Patient Care Units
• Performs decontamination activities to render instrumentation and other medical devices clean and safe for handling.
• Adheres to dress code required for the handling of soiled medical devices and decontamination activities.
• Chooses the correct cleaning tools to include brushes, sponges and detergents. Uses chemicals in proper dilution for effective cleaning and disinfection.
• Correctly operates mechanical decontamination equipment according to departmental procedures and following the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
• Exercises safe handling practices to prevent cross‑contamination such as following a one‑way workflow and handling of sharps to prevent injury to self and others.
• Performs routine cleaning and disinfection activities to ensure a clean work environment.
• Retrieves contaminated instrument sets from patient care areas for processing; practices proper techniques in identification, containment and handling of contaminated instruments in transport to prevent spills and other cross‑contamination events.
• Prep and Pack/Assembly
• Inspects, assembles and prepares instrumentation for terminal sterilization in accordance with established sterile processing practices and standards.
• Inspects instruments for cleanliness and functionality using tools such as lighted magnification and sharpness testing materials.
• Assembles instrument trays and sets according to departmental established procedures.
• Prepares instrument trays and sets for sterilization by selecting the correct packaging type and method(s) that are compatible with the devices to be sterilized. Labels packaged devices accurately.

Sterilization

• Performs sterilization activities in accordance with established procedures utilizing high and low temperature sterilization methods and related equipment.
• Selects the correct sterilization method(s) for the items to be sterilized.
• Loads packages in a manner to facilitate proper sterilant contact for the devices in the load.
• Monitors the sterilization process using mechanical, chemical and biological indicators, and accurately documents the results of such monitoring devices.
• Operates sterilizers and related equipment according to departmental procedures and the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Recognizes equipment malfunctions and reports to CS Leadership.
• Documents electronically (or manually if SPM is down) date, load contents and sterilizer lot numbers to facilitate retrieval of items on the load in the event of a sterilization failure.
• Verifies the load contents against the load record before closing the load to ensure all items have been documented accurately.
• Complies with safety requirements regarding thermal and chemical exposure; wears personal protective equipment when handling chemical sterilants and hot instrumentation or equipment.
• At cycle completion, verifies cycle parameters, documents and processes biological monitoring. When available, immediately documents chemical indicator and biological test results. Initiates the recall process in the event of a sterilization failure such as wet load, aborted cycle, wrong parameters, positive BI or unresponsive chemical indicator.

Sterile Storage / Case Carts

• Accurately assembles and delivers case carts to the surgical suite, including regular scheduled, wait‑list, add‑ons and emergent cases.
• Dispenses and delivers instruments and equipment to nursing departments and clinics.
• Maintains an accurate record of supplies and/or instruments dispensed to patient care units for use; may include computer data entry.
• Conducts periodic supply inventory and follows procedures to restock as necessary.
• Pulls surgical instrumentation to include sets, peel‑packaged items and loaner sets in addition to disposable supplies such as totes or packs that are required for the case cart.
• Maintains knowledge of surgical procedures, supplies and products.
• Immediately reports supplies and/or instrumentation outages to CS leadership for action.
• Initiates supply returns to ensure accurate inventory levels are maintained.
• Frequently monitors the sterile storage area for events that may compromise the integrity of the items stored in this area, including expired items, torn or damaged tamper‑evident locks and indicator tape.
• Scans trays and peel‑packaged items to the correct shelf location.

HLD and Flexible/Rigid Endoscope Processes

• Performs decontamination activities to render flexible scopes, transesophageal and other dilators clean and safe for handling.
• Adheres to dress code required for decontamination activities.
• Performs pre‑cleaning leak testing; takes proper action in the event of a failed test; documents the results; contacts CS leadership for action.
• Chooses the correct cleaning tools to include detergent and correct‑size cleaning brushes. Thoroughly brushes and cleans all ports in a manner to prevent isolation.
• Decontaminates and disinfects or sterilizes using all cleaning/flushing equipment according to IFU; maintains, cleans or disinfects equipment and documents.
• Controls post‑cleaning inspection using lighted magnification and residual soil verification testing; documents the results. Takes appropriate action in the event of a non‑passing result.
• Performs post‑cleaning leak testing for TEE probes and documents results.
• Cleans and disinfects sink after each scope or dilator; maintains a clean work area.
• Strictly follows one‑way flow process, using three‑sink method; cleans one scope at a time.
• Performs high‑level disinfection in accordance with established procedures utilizing AERs (Automatic Endoscopic Reprocessors).
• Dons clean PPE; loads flexible scopes in AER with correct hook‑up.
• Monitors the scope process using mechanical and chemical indicators for the AER.
• Documents all information related to items being high‑level disinfected, including date, physician, patient identifier, load/cycle number and processing technician; may include computer data entry using SPM.
• After HLD, completely dries the flexible scope or dilator in a manner that prevents re‑contamination before storage.
• Keeps accessories with scope they were used on throughout the entire process.
• Complies with safety requirements regarding chemical exposure and spills.
• Stores HLD flexible scopes and dilators in a manner to prevent re‑contamination; tip protectors may be used.
• If compatible with sterilization method, prepares and packages flexible, rigid endoscopes and accessories for sterilization.
• Cleans and restocks endoscopy procedure carts in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Issues scopes utilizing hard containers designed for scope transport.
• Assists clinical staff with point‑of‑use handling issues and equipment malfunctions.
• Stores scopes and equipment in designated storage areas for distribution; cleans storage shelves to maintain a clean work environment.
• Assists with retrieval of contaminated scopes from patient care areas for sterile processing; practices proper techniques in the containment and handling of contaminated scopes and equipment to prevent cross‑contamination, in accordance with department standards and accepted safe and sterile handling practices.

Other Requirements

• May be assigned as a preceptor to new hires and/or trainees.
• Attends all mandatory hospital and department in‑service training and safety training annually.
• Attends a minimum of one external educational seminar per year.
• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, and quality and safety standards.
• Attends at least one off‑site conference related to updates in reprocessing medical devices.
• If assigned to flexible endoscope reprocessing, remains current with annual competencies related to flexible scope, TEE probes, dilators and other medical devices requiring high‑level disinfection and any time a new process or change in process is introduced. May perform these tasks under general supervisor.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required.
• At least 6 months of CSP experience.
• Must be certified CRCST or CBSPDT. If assigned to reprocessing flexible endoscopes, must obtain certification in scope reprocessing within 12 months of assumption of those duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of the use of a PC and computerized database system preferred or demonstrated ability to learn within one year.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary to work with various clinical personnel, resolve problems and properly identify and label supplies for inventory purposes.

Patient Safety

• Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.