Description

St. James Hospital is looking for a Certified Central Sterile Tech to join our team full-time.

Job Summary: Provides sterile processing and decontamination services to SJH System departments and offices in an accurate, timely, and courteous manner.

Job Results & Essential Function

• Contribute to a positive and productive work environment by consistently completing assigned tasks and providing necessary support to team members.
• Maintain adequate supply levels of sterile processing produced items in sub-inventory locations by properly utilizing and complying with the system's computerized inventory management program.
• Maintain the cleanliness and orderly appearance of sub-inventory locations by straightening shelves daily and wiping down locations with an approved disinfectant at a minimum of weekly or as needed.
• Maintain the cleanliness and orderly appearance of assigned work spaces. Wipe all horizontal surfaces daily with an approved disinfectant.
• Handle all supplies and equipment in a manner that ensures the maintenance of sterility and compliance with system infection control policies and procedures.
• Decontaminate, inspect, assemble, wrap and sterilize all system instrumentation and patient care equipment in accordance with guidance provided by AAMI, CDC, AORN and JCAHO.
• Sterilize instruments, equipment, linen and supplies using steam or ethylene oxide sterilizers. Load sterilizers in the proper manner and set time and temperature to the levels required by the item being processed. Complete appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization. Verify that parameters have been met by reviewing the equipment print-out at the conclusion of the cycle, initial and file appropriately.
• Assemble all instrument trays, packs, supply carts following common practices. Inspect all instrumentation for defects. Appropriately utilize paper and computerized inventory management systems. Notify the owning department of lost instrumentation and request instruction of how to proceed. Properly identify and mark sterilized items.
• Distribute or store items in accordance with infection control policy and procedure, AAMI recommendations and common practices.
• Disassemble and clean instruments, procedure trays and equipment utilizing proper protective attire and following established procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required such as examining sterilization/expiration dates (when applicable), inspecting processed items for package integrity and visually inspecting inventory levels to maintain adequate stock and supply levels.
• Performs biological and chemical monitoring of all terminal sterilization equipment.
• Maintains monitoring, load and sterilizer performance records.
• Monitor and replace sharps containers throughout the hospital at required intervals.
• Obtain random (STAT) emergent or unusual required supplies in cooperation with other Materials Management staff.
• Assist staff with the identification of supply needs and available alternatives.
• Actively assist with the maintenance of main inventory locations by appropriately shelving and rotating stock, cleaning inventory rooms and locations with an approved disinfectant, and disposing of empty supply containers.
• Notify the Supervisor and/or Lead of any issues pertaining to supply quality or availability concerns.
• Participate periodic physical inventories.
• Courteously answer/route telephone calls and record/deliver messages appropriately.
• Comply with all departmental and hospital policies and procedures.
• Attend, participate and support departmental and system initiatives, meetings and training, as requested (VIP teams, in-services, forums, etc.).
• Seek, request, acquire and maintain training and/or certifications related to sterile processing.
• Report all unusual circumstances that may involve the safety and well-being of patients and staff directly to Surgical Services leadership.
• Encourage open communication and cooperative relationships amongst coworkers, hospital staff and other departments.
• Maintain a level of flexibility with work assignments & schedules to allow for the proper care of our patients/residents and support of system departments and physicians.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Sterile processing or operating room experience required.

Licenses and/or Certifications

• Valid driver's license issued by the state of residency (NY or PA)
• Sterilization certification

Physical Demands

Heavy physical effort (lift/carry up to 50lbs). Frequent/prolonged standing and walking. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, and kneeling

Language Ability

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to prepare written reports and maintain accurate records. Positive attitude, ability to adapt to a changing work environment/level of required workload, ability to work independently or as a contributing team member, good communication skills, flexibility.

Math Ability

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, rates and ratios.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Requires the ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.

Working Conditions

Potential exposure to bio-hazardous materials, toxic chemicals and communicable disease. Subject to extreme temperature fluctuations and elevated noise levels in assigned work spaces.

This job description is a summary of the job duties and requirements that represent the general nature and level of work being performed. To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This description is not intended to limit or in any wat modify the right of management assign, direct and control the work of employees. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All employees are expected to understand and adhere to the Standards/Code of Conduct and the Corporate Compliance Plan as well as ensure all educational requirements related to Corporate Compliance are implemented and adhered to as required by the CCP Education Plan, in addition to compliance with organizational policies and procedures, regulatory expectations, quality and department standards, etc.