Sterile Processing Technician (SPD) PRN

East Tennessee Children's Hospital; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to ensure cleaning, decontamination and sterilization of surgical instruments and equipment. You will maintain documentation, inventory, and equipment readiness for procedures, while adhering to aseptic standards and hospital policies.

The role requires certification within 2 years, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, team-focused setting.

Qualifications

• Effective communication skills verbal and written.
• Computer skills required.
• Staff will work respectfully, cooperatively and professionally with team members.

Responsibilities

• Assist with checking sterile surgical supply, OR stocking, inventory and routine supply orders; competent in decontamination, assembly and sterilization practices.
• Demonstrates aseptic technique and standard precautions; follows manufacturers’ recommendations; performs biological monitoring and documents all loads sterilized.
• Assembles and wraps instrument trays/pouches with correct documentation; inspects instruments for repair, replaces broken items, reports to Assistant Nurse Manager.
• Keeps records of room temperature and humidity; tracks downtime of sterilizers and repairs; cleans sterilizers per schedule; performs weekly washer testing.
• Serves as expert in instrument sterilization; stays current on SPD practices; networks with Purchasing and Central Supply; participates in educational offerings.
• Acts as resource person for instrument care; educates staff on SPD concepts; participates in patient care conferences and staff meetings.
• Performs Endoscopy duties per physician orders; assists RN during procedures from team perspective.
• Meets hospital quality goals; maintains unit competencies; interacts professionally with other care providers.
• Demonstrates respect for patients, families, visitors and staff; fosters courteous workplace.
• Willingly accepts other assignments; uses hospital resources responsibly.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Computer skills

Teamwork and professionalism

Education

High School/GED

Certified Sterile Processing Technician / Certified Surgical Technician / CRCST within 2 years

Job description

BASIC PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Performs functions and duties associated with the care, handling and sterilization of surgical instruments and equipment. All functions performed are within the limits of the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act and nursing policies and procedures.

REPORTS TO

• Sterile Processing Manager

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Supervisory Responsibilities: NO

Minimum Education: High School/GED Required

License/Certification Required: Certified Sterile Processing Technician, Certified Surgical Technician, or CRCST, required within 2 years of employment; BLS preferred.

Minimum Work Experience: 2 years Sterile Processing experience preferred

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Effective communication skills verbal and written.
• Computer skills required.
• It is an expectation that staff will work respectfully, cooperatively and professionally with team members.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists with checking sterile surgical supply, operating room stocking, inventory, special supply orders and placing routine supply orders. Responsible for the care and handling of all surgical instruments and must be competent in equipment decontamination, assembly, and sterilization practices.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and practices aseptic technique, and standard precautions. Follows all manufacturers’ recommendations when processing instruments and supplies. Performs biological monitoring and keeps accurate and complete documentation on all loads sterilized.
• Assembles and wraps instrument trays and/or sterilization pouches with correct documentation. Examines instruments to assess for needed repair, removes broken instruments from service, replaces broken instruments, and reports to Asst. Nurse Manager of needed replacement items. Examines instruments to assess for needed repair, removes broken instruments from service, replaces broken instruments, and reports to Asst. Nurse Manager of needed replacement items.
• Keeps records of room temperature and humidity; alerts supervisor of any deviation of acceptable ranges. Keep records of downtime of sterilizers, repairs, and reports outcome associated with equipment monitoring. Cleans sterilizer per schedule. Performs weekly testing to monitor effectiveness of automatic washers.
• Serves as expert in instrument/equipment sterilization; stays current on all Sterile Processing practices governed by AORN, JCAHO, AAMI, and CDC. Networks with Purchasing Department and Central Supply staff. Participates in all educational offerings associated with sterile processes.
• Serves as resource person for all staff associated with proper care and handling of instruments and readily educates those staff in SPD concepts. Participates in patient care conferences/staff meetings as needed. Serves as expert on all sterilization equipment and practices.
• Performs Endoscopy duties associated with care and handling of endoscopes and supply inventory per physician orders. Assists in registered nurse during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures from team perspective.
• Meets unit and hospital quality management goals. Acquires and maintains hospital and unit-specific competencies.
• Effectively and professionally interacts and collaborates with other providers of patient care.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
• Fosters mature professional relationships with fellow employees in a courteous, friendly, manner as measured by management observation and peer input.
• Willingly accepts any other assignment that may be requested.
• Utilizes hospital resources and time respectfully and accountably.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Light lifting, pushing and pulling is required for 10-20 lbs occasionally and frequent moving of objects of less than 10 lbs is required. Frequent sitting with some walking, standing, squatting, bending and reaching is required. Keyboard/computer use and/or repetitive motions may be required.

Come work where you can make a difference every day.