Sterile Processing Technician III - Sterile Processing - Full Time 10 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Union)

C018 University of Southern California- HS; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Keck Hospital of USC seeks a Sterile Processing Technician III to decontaminate, assemble, sterilize and distribute reusable surgical instrumentation across the organization. Under supervision, you will operate autoclaves, H2O2 sterilizers, washers and sealers, maintain sterility documentation, and support OR and ancillary departments.

The role requires completion of a sterile processing program, 4 years of SPD experience at USC facilities, and current CSPDT/BRCST and CHL/CSPM certifications.

Qualifications

• High school or equivalent
• Completion of a Sterile Processing Program or an accredited Surgical Technician program
• Associate's degree or related field
• If no program completion, at least 3 years experience as Sterile Processing Tech
• 4 years Sterile Processing experience at Keck Hospital of USC or USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Proven leadership abilities
• Knowledge of department policies, procedures and regulatory requirements
• Basic computer skills (Windows OS, keyboard, mouse)
• Ability to operate washers, ultrasonic cleaners, sterilizers
• Current CSPDT/BRCST certification
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) within 30 days if not on hire
• Current CHL/CSPM certification; grandfathering for prior staff

Responsibilities

• Assemble and package instrument sets per protocols.
• Check instrumentation for functionality and cleanliness.
• Disassemble, wash, decontaminate and load washers per IFU.
• Operate sterilization and disinfection equipment per protocols.
• Maintain sterilization documentation and QA.
• Distribute sterile instrumentation to locations.
• Maintain sterile inventory and par levels.
• Interface with OR and other departments to resolve issues.
• Train other Sterile Processing Technicians.
• Troubleshoot equipment and instrument issues.
• Receive loaner trays and coordinate with outside vendors.
• Adhere to SPD policies, SOPs.
• Prepare OR case carts and note shortages.
• Inspect packages for proper sterilization.
• Document in Censitrac system.

Skills

Leadership

Sterile processing

Equipment operation

Computer basics

Multitasking

Training others

IFU compliance

Education

Sterile Processing Program

Associate degree in related field

BRCST/CSPDT certification

CHL/CSPM certification

Fire Life Safety Training

Job description

Under general supervision of the Sterile Processing Supervisor or Sterile Processing Educator, the Sterile Processing Technician (SPT)III serve with basic knowledge of Sterile Processing techniques/skills and is responsible for decontaminating, operationally checking, assembling, sterilizing, and distributing reusable surgical/clinical instrumentation and implants throughout the organization. Operate Steam (autoclave) and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) sterilizers, sonic equipment, automated washers and heat sealers. Store, date, rotate and distribute reusable surgical/clinical instrumentation. All in accordance with department and manufacturer IFU guidelines. The SPT III is also responsible for troubleshooting and resolving complex equipment, instrument, and customer issues.

Essential Duties

• Assemble and package surgical/clinic procedure instrument sets following protocols established by electronic count sheets and manufacturer IFU.
• Operationally check instrumentation for functionality and cleanliness
• Disassemble instruments/equipment, remove gross contamination, manually wash instruments, decontaminate and load automated washers according to manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU).
• Operate and maintain sterilization and disinfection equipment according to established protocols and professional standards.
• Maintain sterilization documentation related to items processed, quality assurance, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Dispense sterile instrumentation to appropriate locations in the Sterile Storage and OR.
• Maintain sterile inventory through par level maintenance, stock rotation, and quality assurance.
• Proper distribution of sterile clinic instrumentation.
• Maintain timely and efficient process flows through communication with outside departments and sterile processing technicians in other assignments.
• Train and assist other Sterile Processing Technicians in the duties listed above.
• Troubleshoot and address routine equipment, instrument, and customer issues.
• Interface with OR, ancillary departments, and other customers to resolve issues.
• Receive loaner trays via Casechek and communicate with outside companies to help resolve instrument issues.
• Prepares loads, operates equipment involved in sterilization processes.
• Must be knowledgeable of and adhere to all SPD policies/procedures/SOPs in performance of duties.
• Prepares OR case carts and places any missing items on the OR shortage list.
• Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization.
• Obtain knowledge of documentation and logging of information and use of the Censitrac tracking system.
• May train or provide guidance or work direction to the Sterile Processing Technician I as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school or equivalent
• Specialized/technical training Completion of a Sterile Processing Program or an accredited Surgical Technician program.
• Associate's degree Degree in related field.
• If no completion of program, must have an additional three years of experience as a Sterile Processing Tech.
• 4 years Sterile Processing experience within Keck Hospital of USC or USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• Proven leadership abilities.
• Detailed knowledge of department policies and procedures and outside regulatory requirements.
• Basic knowledge of computer systems including Windows OS, keyboard and mouse operation.
• Ability to operate complex machinery including washers, ultrasonic cleaners, and sterilizers.
• Demonstrated ability to competently perform multiple, complex tasks.
• Sterile Processing Certification Current certification as a BRCST "Certified Registered Central Services Technician" or CSPDT "Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician" through an accredited organization (CBSPD).
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)
• Certification - Job Relevant Current certification as CHL "Certified Healthcare Leadership" or a CSPM "Certified Sterile Processing Management" through an accredited organization (HSPA,CBSPD). Current staff that are Technician III transferred or hired into the role prior to 2/1/2023 and do not have CHL or CSPM will be grandfathered into the role with the previous requirement.

Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.12 - $49.66.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.

Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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Keck Medicine of USC is the University of Southern California’s medical enterprise, one of only two university-based medical systems in the Los Angeles area. Keck Medicine combines academic excellence, world-class research and state-of-the-art facilities to provide highly specialized care for some of the most acute patients in the country. Our internationally renowned physicians and scientists provide world-class patient care at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, USC Arcadia Hospital and more than 100 unique clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Tulare and Ventura counties.