Sterile Processing Technician I

Advocate Health Care; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care in Oak Lawn, IL seeks a Sterile Processing Technician to decontaminate instruments, assemble instrument sets, and ensure sterile equipment for the operating room. You will follow approved procedures and work under supervision to maintain cross-contamination prevention.

The role requires attention to detail, communication, and basic computer skills; incumbents work in a fast-paced hospital setting handling instrument processing, sterilization equipment, and inventory

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to communicate and follow directions.
• Good human relations skills and basic computer skills required.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate instruments and equipment to prevent cross-contamination.
• Set up decontamination equipment and maintain workflow.
• Collect soiled equipment and transport using proper techniques.
• Assemble and package instrument sets for terminal sterilization.
• Monitor sterilizers and document loads.
• Manage inventory and storage of sterile items.
• Handle infectious waste according to hospital procedures.
• Support quality improvement and act as a preceptor for new staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Follow directions

Human relations skills

Basic computer knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Major Responsibilities

Decontamination of Instruments and Equipment

• Demonstrates independent function in ensuring that soiled instrumentation or equipment delivered to the department is decontaminated in a manner that prevents cross-contamination. Competency is demonstrated through observation by the Sterile Processing Supervisor, Lead Tech/Educator, and/or Preceptor.


• Wears proper protective attire when performing decontamination.


• Collects soiled/reusable equipment each shift following appropriate transport techniques.


• Sets up decontamination equipment for operation and ensures proper function and continuous work flow throughout the shift.


• Maintains a neat and clean work area at all times.


• Reports improper equipment operation to person in charge.


• Cleans and disinfects equipment and work area at completion of shift as assigned.


• Handles infectious waste according to established hospital procedure.

Major Responsibilities

Decontamination of Instruments and Equipment

• Demonstrates independent function in ensuring that soiled instrumentation or equipment delivered to the department is decontaminated in a manner that prevents cross-contamination. Competency is demonstrated through observation by the Sterile Processing Supervisor, Lead Tech/Educator, and/or Preceptor.


• Wears proper protective attire when performing decontamination.


• Follows established procedures to ensure decontamination completion.


• Collects soiled/reusable equipment each shift following appropriate transport techniques.


• Sets up decontamination equipment for operation and ensures proper function and continuous work flow throughout the shift.


• Maintains a neat and clean work area at all times.


• Reports improper equipment operation to person in charge.


• Handles infectious waste according to established hospital procedure.

Performance of Assembly/Packaging/Wrapping

• Demonstrates independent function in ensuring a sterile product by professional assembly of surgical items, instrument sets, floor trays, and appropriate packaging in preparation for terminal sterilization.

Competency is demonstrated through observation by the Sterile Processing Supervisor, Lead Tech/Educator, and/or Preceptor.

• Examination surgical instrumentation for cleanliness, proper assembly, proper performance.


• Assembles instrument sets, ensuring that the correct number and type of instruments are present following established lists provided by the user department and placing the instruments appropriately to ensure sterilization and ease of use by the user.


• Completes count sheets/supply sheets as necessitated by user departments to document the contents of the tray.


• Follows established procedures to package and/or wrap the trays/items for terminal sterilization.

Performance of all equipment in Sterile Processing: Steam sterilizer, VPRO Max etc.

• Demonstrates independent function in ensuring that sterility is achieved utilizing the appropriate sterilization process.

Competency is demonstrated through observation by the Sterile Processing Supervisor, Lead Tech/Educator, and/or Preceptor.

• Use of test packs for the purpose of monitoring the function of the sterilizers on a daily basis (i.e., chemical and biological monitors).


• Observes and assesses the operation of each sterilizer for every cycle by interpreting the recorder data provided.


• Labels each item processed in the sterilizer with correct load label.


• Positions each item on the sterilizer cart to ensure sterilization.


• Documents what type and how many of each item is processed in every load.


• Reviews the data of the test packs processed, interprets the results and completes required documentation for verification by supervision (i.e., chemical and biological).


• Reports malfunctions to Sterile Processing Supervisor immediately.

Performance of Inventory/Storage/Distribution Functions

• Demonstrates independent function in maintaining inventory and appropriate storage of sterile items in anticipation of distribution to various departments upon request.

Competency is demonstrated through observation by the Sterile Processing Supervisor, Lead Tech/Educator, and/or Preceptor.

• Receives supplies from storeroom and outside vendors, ensuring that supplies entering Sterile Processing Department are devoid of external contaminants.


• Completes case carts for Operating Room following the standard procedure for loading the cart and ensuring items requested that are ready for distribution to Operating Room utilizing the established schedule.


• Assists with cleaning of storage areas and work stations to maintain a contaminant‑free environment


• Places sterile items in appropriate area for distribution, ensuring the items are accurately sorted by department.


• Stores sterile items in Sterile Processing Department storage area, ensuring that items are rotated so the first‑in/first‑out inventory control is maintained.


• Answers the telephone in a courteous manner to take requests for supplies, trays, instruments and promptly responds to ASAP and STAT requests.


• Completes Sterile Processing Department paperwork accurately for supply requisition.

Exchange and Delivery of Code Blue case carts

• Demonstrates independent function in processing crash carts to guarantee a complete cart with equipment that is operational at all times. Cleans cart, removing all soil.

Examines the existing inventory, removing non‑standard items and checking the packaging integrity if sterile items to ensure that sterility has not been compromised.

Checks operation of the flashlight, laryngoscope handle and blades, wall suction each time the cart is processed, along with bulbs and back‑up batteries. Competency is demonstrated through observation by Sterile Processing Supervisor, Lead Tech/Educator, and/or Preceptor.

Participates in the Department related to quality improvement.

• Monitors quality assurance indicators.


• Assist in revision of policies and procedures.


• Acts as Preceptor for new employees.


• Competency is demonstrated through observation by the Sterile Processing Supervisor, Lead Tech/Educator, and/or Preceptor. Education/Experience Required: High school education or equivalent.

1 year experience preferred, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: Ability to Communicate and Follow Directions

Good Human Relations Skills

Basic computer knowledge skills

Certified Central Service Tech Preferred, But Not Required.

Current Employees to Obtain Certification Within 12 Months as of July 1st, 2013

Central Service Tech Certification Obtained within 12 Months Upon Hire

Heavy Lifting

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Lifting 50 to 100 pounds occasionally and/or 25 to 50 pounds frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds constantly.

Job responsibilities involve long periods of standing and walking.

Frequent contact with blood and body fluids.

Ability to respond quickly to emergency situation with full motor function.

Strength and dexterity to handle sterilization equipment and supplies.

Ability to adjust work schedule when need arises (i.e., illness/vacation of other staff members).

Ability to work under time constraints in stressful situations.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.