Sterile Processing Tech, Operating Room - BMOS, Full-Time, Variable

Prisma Health; Maryville (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Prisma Health seeks a Sterile Processing Technician to join the Decontamination, Instrument Preparation, and Sterilization team at Blount Memorial Hospital in Tennessee. You will clean, disassemble, reprocess, and repackage instruments and equipment for patient care.

Assemble instrument trays, document processing steps, choose appropriate decontamination methods, and maintain accurate records in the Instrument Tracking System, while ensuring compliance with infection control guidelines.

Qualifications

• Completion of Surgical Tech, Sterile Processing Tech, or Dental Assistant training program.
• In lieu of education: High School diploma or equivalent and 6 months hospital/clinical experience.
• Certification in CRCST or CSPDT preferred; certification must be obtained within 1 year if not held.

Responsibilities

• Receives, sorts, disassembles and processes contaminated instruments following Infection Control guidelines.
• Sterilizes instruments and equipment using autoclaves and other methods, ensuring proper documentation.
• Assembles instrument trays and correctly labels sets; reports missing or damaged items.
• Documents all decontamination, assembly and sterilization activities in the tracking system or manual records.
• Observes biological and chemical monitors and initiates recalls as required when results indicate.

Education

Surgical Tech, Sterile Processing Tech, or Dental Assistant training program

Job description

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Job Summary

Performs duties in Decontamination, Instrument Preparation and Assembly, and Sterilization/Disinfection relating to cleaning and sterilizing instruments and equipment to be used in patient care. Disassembles complex instruments, supplies and equipment; sorts and inspects for damage and reports needed repairs. Selects the mode of decontamination best suited for items on hand. Assembles, prepares and packages instrument trays, surgical instruments, equipment, and specialty items. Determines the appropriate sterilization or disinfection method and follows appropriate steps for reprocessing. Follows strict documentation guidelines for tray management, biological/chemical test results, equipment functionality, and reprocessing steps.

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference
• Receives, sorts, disassembles and processes contaminated instruments and equipment using the procedures and guidelines as established by Infection Control. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments and body fluids by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing and using ultrasonic or other mechanical methods, as applicable.
• Assembles all instrument sets following prescribed manner and as outlined on the Instrument Count Sheets. Properly documents missing items from the set and labels sets correctly. Takes action to correct problems with instrument sets and reports any unresolved issues.
• Sterilizes instruments, equipment, linen and supplies using various types of autoclaves and aerators. Reprocesses equipment via high level disinfection as appropriate. Loads and operates machinery in prescribed manner and sets controls to correct specifications for the items being sterilized.
• Documents all activities related to instrument/equipment decontamination, assembly, disinfection, and sterilization in the Instrument Tracking System (SPM, Censitrac) or established manual systems.
• Observe and interpret biological, mechanical and chemical monitors relevant to processing/sterilizing. Record results and maintains required records. Initiates recalls as required.
• Issues items to customers and departments according to established procedures.
• Observes and reports to supervisor any unfamiliar items with or without appropriate processing literature. Reports equipment requiring repair as needed. Is self-directed and intervenes with corrections to variances in the processing practice.
• Models Prisma Health behavior expectations. Assists with coaching, mentoring and training coworkers as assigned. Trains and assists with integration of new team members. Shares knowledge, ideas and expertise to support the team and the department.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibility

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Completion of job-related coursework: Surgical Tech, Sterile Processing Tech, or Dental Assistant training program.
• Experience - No experience required.

In Lieu Of

• In lieu of the education requirement only, will accept High School diploma or equivalent and 6 months experience in a hospital or clinical setting.

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Certification as either: CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) from HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association); OR CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician) from CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution) preferred
• Applicants without sterile processing certification are required to obtain CRCST certification via HSPA within ONE (1) year of meeting the eligibility requirements to sit for the certification exam. Eligibility is defined by HSPA as "10 weeks (400 hours) experience" in a Sterile Processing hospital setting.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• NA

Work Shift

Variable (United States of America)

Location

Blount Memorial Hospital

Facility

8001 Blount Memorial Hospital, Inc.

Department

80066160 Operating Room - BMOS

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