Sterile Processing Technician and Materials Assistant - Pinnacle Surgery Center

Main Function

This position works to maintain the cleanliness, functionality, and inventory of the instruments, equipment, and re-usable medical supplies according to nationally recognized standards, regulations, and center policies to ensure safe, quality patient care.

Duties, Responsibilities, Competencies

1. Demonstrates knowledge of the decontamination, cleaning, prepping, and sterilization of surgical instruments, re-usable supplies, and equipment.

2. Demonstrates knowledge of cleaning, decontamination, and sterilization equipment and its use in the decontamination / sterile processing area.

3. Demonstrates knowledge of the SP technician duties including:

a. Understanding the use and handling of chemicals used in the SP area

b. Commitment to following the recommended instructions for decontaminating, cleaning, sonification, drying, flushing, sterilizing, etc. items in the SP area

c. Use of appropriate biological and chemical monitoring with documentation of such

d. rotating of processed instruments

e. inspection of said items

4. Demonstrates a commitment to follow “Instructions For Use” (IFU) information from manufacturers’ related to all items that flow through the SP area.

5. Monitor the surgical schedule to anticipate instrumentation, equipment, re-usable medical supply needs.

6. Remove defective items from service and replace missing items, and when items are missing and alert other parties as needed.

7. Maintains appropriate tray lists and inventory stock

8. Maintains accurate, detailed, documentation.

9. Pursues additional knowledge and training to remain current on standards and regulations relating to the sterile processing area.

10. Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his or her responsibilities related to general safety, center/service safety, and specific job‑related hazards.

11. Follows the center exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.

12. Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.

13. Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a center team to facilitate the center’s ability to meet its goals and objectives.

14. Assist with Supply Chain management, planning and procurement under the direction of the Director.

15. Assist the director to act quickly when supply availability is discovered as depleted, near depletion and need of supply on hand is urgent by end user.

a. Formulates corrective action plan and communicates status to department manager.

b. Secures supply by alternate means.

16. Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Key Attributes

1. Quality – The extent to which an employee’s work is accurate, thorough and neat.

2. Productivity – The extent to which an employee produces a significant volume of work efficiently in a specified period of time.

3. Job Knowledge – The extent to which an employee possesses the practical/technical knowledge required on the job as evidenced by the annual competency assessment

4. Reliability – The extent to which an employee can be relied upon regarding task completion and follow-up.

5. Attendance – The extent to which an employee is punctual, observes prescribed work break/meal periods and has an acceptable overall attendance record.

6. Independence – The extent to which an employee performs work with little or no supervision.

7. Creativity – The extent to which an employee proposes ideas, finds new and better ways of doing things.

8. Initiative – The extent to which an employee seeks out new assignments and assumes additional duties when necessary.

9. Adherence to Policy – The extent to which an employee follows safety and conduct rules, other regulations and adheres to company policies. (Compliance, Risk, Safety, Infection Control, Sentinel Events, Abuse, etc.)

10. Interpersonal Relationships – The extent to which an employee is willing and demonstrates the ability to cooperate, work and communicate with coworkers, supervisors, subordinates and/or outside contacts.

11. Judgment – The extent to which an employee demonstrates proper judgment and decision-making skills when necessary.

Education / Licensure / Certification

Requirements

Required:

1. GED or High School diploma

2. One-year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and / or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred:

1. Certified Sterile Processing Technician, preferred unless required by the state

Physical / Mental requirements

1. Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, patients, physicians and the general public.

2. Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistics. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

3. Computer Skills: Job requires specialized computer skills. Must be adept at using various applications including database, spreadsheet, report writing, project management, word processing, communicate by e-mail and use scheduling software including but not limited to the facilities information system and EMR.

4. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

5. Special Requirements: Must be able to work variable hours and be flexible to meet the needs of the center’s daily surgery schedule.

6. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

a. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to lift patients, assist a patient that is falling, and carry heavy medical equipment.

b. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee is frequently required to attend to patients and escort them to and from patient care areas, often being leaned on for support. Upper body strength, for lifting and helping patients, is also a must. The employee is occasionally required to sit or smell.

Working conditions

(environmental)

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock and vibration.

Medical facilities need to be as clean as possible, and excellent hygiene is required to keep patients clean and safe from sickness and infection.

Has Category 1 risk of exposure to infectious diseases, but receives training in hand washing practices and Universal Precautions and has access to personal protective equipment if direct exposure is anticipated. Is subject to interruptions, noise, and odors daily.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Machines/ Equipment Used

All sterile processing equipment, power equipment, sterilization equipment, clinical equipment used for patient care, including, but not limited to suction equipment, air blowing equipment, blanket and fluid warmers. Office equipment, i.e. computers, copy machines, telephones, public address system, and fax machine

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Employee statement

The surgery center promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace which includes reasonable accommodation of otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees so long as this does not create an undue hardship on the company or affect the health and/or safety of others at work. Please see your supervisor should you have any questions about this policy or these job duties. This job description may not be all inclusive and employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned and/or directed by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified when deemed appropriate by management.

I have read the job description and understand the functions of the position at this facility. I accept these position requirements and attest I am willing and able to perform.