Sterile Processing Technician I - Joint Spine Sterile Process - Full Time - Evenings

The Christ Hospital Health Network; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Christ Hospital Health Network is seeking a skilled Central Service Technician to perform decontamination, sterilization, and tray assembly in a fast-paced hospital environment.

You will operate steam and Sterrad equipment, build surgical case carts, maintain accurate records, and support OR and Sterile Processing departments. High school diploma and CRCST preferred; 0-1 year experience required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• CRCST certification preferred; must be obtained within first year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates, cleans, and sterilizes instruments and equipment following infection control practices.
• Assembles instrument trays and packs according to standards.
• Builds and distributes surgical case carts; labels locations for efficiency.
• Performs equipment decontamination functions and monitors sterilization indicators.
• Inspects equipment for wear and coordinates reporting to supervisors.
• Responds to requests from OR core areas and adheres to sterility guidelines.

Skills

Attention to detail

Safety procedures

Record keeping

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

CRCST certification preferred

Tools

Steam sterilizer

Sterrad sterilizer

Washer/Cart washer

SPM computer system

Job description

Job Description

Responsible for the decontamination, cleaning, processing, and sterilization of trays, instruments, supplies, and equipment following all infection control practices. Responsible for dispensing equipment and upon request. Maintains accurate records and departmental inventory usage. Responsible for case cart building and responds to requests from surgery.

Responsibilities

PERFORMS INSTRUMENT DECONTAMINATION FUNCTIONS

• Disassembles, cleans, and disinfects instruments and equipment used for patient care utilizing correct manual and mechanical processes.
• Operates equipment used in the decontamination process, i.e. sonic washer, cart washers, washer sterilizers and decontaminators.
• Transports case carts from soiled holding area in surgery to the decontamination room. Unloads case cart containing soiled instruments and places in designated area. Places case carts in cart washer.
• Performs cleaning tasks in work area as assigned.
• Uses universal precautions when working in decontamination area (i.e., gloves, face shields, protective gown).
• Utilizes SPM computer system to track instruments and case carts.
• Makes rounds throughout the facility to retrieve reusable instruments and equipment and transports back to Sterile Processing Department.

ASSEMBLES INSTRUMENT TRAYS AND PACKS

• Unloads instruments from washer sterilizers and distributes to appropriate workstations.
• Utilizes SPM to assemble tray according to standards and procedures identified.
• Follows manufacturer's Instructions for Use to assure proper reassembly is performed.
• Assembles selected instrument trays and packs (basins, peel packs, small instrument sets) utilizing written instructions and proper protocol.
• Checks for sharpness and proper functioning of instruments.
• Recognizes and memorizes a large variety of instruments.
• Applies sterilization wrappers/containers properly to maintain the integrity of the contents.
• Utilizes heat sealer on packs as needed.
• Each item is identified correctly on the outside packaging of each item.
• Loads sterilizer carriage and transports trays to sterilization area.
• Performs sterilization procedures utilizing Steam and Sterrad sterilization.
• Utilizes SPM to build Sterilization loads and the quality assurance test involved with each load.
• Monitors and documents biological and chemical indicator results to assure that all sterilization parameters were met and documented.

BUILDS SURGICAL CASE CARTS

• Surgical preference lists are obtained from computer to build case cart.
• Location of instruments and supplies are labeled to increase efficiency.
• Case carts are distributed to specified area.
• Procedural carts used in all patient care areas are restocked, stored, or returned to appropriate area.
• Utilizes SPM to capture the build of a case cart and identifies that all instrumentation has been sterilized properly before adding to the cart.

PERFORMS EQUIPMENT DECONTAMINATION FUNCTIONS

• Disassembles (when necessary), cleans, and disinfects equipment used for patient care utilizing correct manual and mechanical processes.
• Uses proper cleaning products and disinfectants in the decontamination/cleaning process, i.e. brushes, sprays, towels, etc.
• Transports equipment from soiled holding area in patient care areas to decontamination room. Returns equipment to patient care areas as necessary.
• Performs cleaning tasks in work area as assigned.
• Uses universal precautions when working in decontamination area (i.e., gloves, face shields, protective gown).
• Utilizes SPM computer system to track equipment.
• Makes rounds throughout the facility to retrieve reusable instruments and equipment and transports back to Central Service.

Inspects Equipment

• During cleaning process, inspects equipment for signs of wear and/or disrepair such as significant dents, scratches, broken parts, frayed cords, no LED display, and notes from other staff members.
• Coordinates reporting of such equipment to both Clinical Engineering and CS Supervisor.

OTHER

• Fulfills requests from OR core areas when requested.
• Responds to emergency codes when required.
• Follows instructions and departmental guidelines regarding sterility.
• Attends departmental-in-services and mandatory meetings.
• Knowledgeable of all areas in Central Service.
• Acts as a liaison between Central Service and all customers and communicates in a courteous manner.
• Makes effective use of time and can distinguish between low and high priority activities.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Must have high school diploma or GED.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

0-1 years as a Certified Technician.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Preferred, must be obtained within the first year of hire.