Sterile Processing Technician-Midwest ENT

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This job description reflects the general details considered necessary to fulfill the essential job functions and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements inherent in this position. Other specific job-related knowledge and skills may be required.

Purpose of Job:

Sterile Processing Technician: The provider practice sterile processing technician acts as the primary clinic staff responsible for all sterilization activities performed in the clinic processing room. Manages sterilization equipment in accordance with policy procedure, regulatory compliance, and manufacturer’s instructions for use. Responsible for ensuring clinic has clean, sterile tools, and equipment readily available for delivering patient care. Responsible for decontamination, correct assembly, and sterile processing of all instrumentation used at the provider practice clinic. Responsible for maintaining appropriate levels of sterile processing supplies. This includes requesting order, receiving, and restocking supplies upon arrival. Assist in preparation and assembly of medical and surgical supplies used in office procedures, instrumentation, and equipment.

Clinical Medical Assistant: Performs designated tasks for patients in all age groups in clinic setting. May perform basic monitoring to include temperature, pulse, respiration, B/P. Assists with patient care duties his/her scope of practice, and as skill competency is verified. Performs clerical, environmental, and organizational tasks. Communicates, assists, and supports the clinical team lead, and other clinical staff, in support for the efficient delivery of patient care. Assist clinical team lead in receiving and distributing supplies and equipment upon arrival.

All tasks will be performed according to hospital/clinic policies and procedures as well as legal compliance policies and other regulatory requirements. Must have good communication skills and support teamwork in the delivery of care as well as demonstrate customer service relations with the Ohio County Healthcare’s mission, vision, and values.

Working Environment:

The usual working spaces include clinic processing room, patient care, and office area. Sterilization and Direct patient care tasks require both fine and gross motor skills. Full range of body motion including handling and lifting instrument trays is required. Sitting and standing for extensive periods of time. Exposure to blood and body fluids, sharp instruments and other devices, communicable diseases, chemicals, and repetitive motions. Exposure to dangerous chemicals (cleaning, disinfecting, sterilization agents). Fast-paced working environment that may be stressful at times. The ability to work under stressful conditions is necessary.

Lines of Responsibility: Clinical Team Lead, Clinic Manager, Manager of Clinical Staff Operations, Director of Provider Practices

Classification: Full Time; Non-exempt

Essential Job Functions:

1. Sterilization of reusable medical devices
2. Inventory, Ordering, Distribution of medical & surgical supplies for reusable medical devices
3. Monitor, interpret, and document results of indicators
4. Ability to effectively communicate and report findings associated with failed quality assurance activities
5. Maintains Safe and Therapeutic Environment of Care for Patients
6. Upholds Standards of Nursing Practice and Code of Ethics
7. Professional Self-Development
8. Exhibits Positive Human Relations
9. Support the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

Performance Criteria:

1. Sterilization of Medical Devices (Steam Sterilization – Autoclave)
   1. Demonstrates competency in performing sterilization activities prior to working independently.
   2. Follow established protocols for cleaning, decontaminating, preparing, and packaging, disinfecting or sterilizing, and storing medical and surgical supplies and equipment.
   3. Follow safety procedures and manufacturer’s instructions when handling cleaning solutions, supplies, and equipment.
   4. Adhere to standard precautions including the use of personal protective equipment.
   5. Adhere to required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing sterilization processes in processing room.
   6. Operate equipment used to clean, disinfect, and decontaminate surgical instruments, medical devices, and equipment within processing room both safely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFU).
   7. Performs equipment maintenance and cleaning activities both safely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFU).
   8. Inspecting instruments and equipment for signs of damage, wear, and tear.
   9. Maintains accurate records for repaired or maintained instruments and medical devices.
   10. Responding to emergency supply requests of the provider and in accordance with immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS) policy and procedure and regulatory standards.
   11. Assist with improving the quality of sterile processing services.
2. Inventory, Ordering, Distribution of medical & surgical supplies for reusable medical devices
   1. Inventory, request, and restock materials used for supporting sterile processing tasks.
   2. Unpacking, checking, and stocking new equipment, instruments, and devices.
   3. Ensures sterile processing supplies delivered are appropriate if usual stocked item is substituted by materials management.
   4. Distribute medical and surgical supplies from sterile processing areas to other areas within the clinic as needed.
3. Monitor, interpret, and document results of indicators
   1. Inserts sterilization indicators inside all packages.
   2. Monitor, interpret, and document results of physical, chemical, and biological indicators for all types of sterilizers used in the sterile processing areas.
   3. Monitoring temperature and humidity conditions within processing area and areas where sterile supplies are stored for use in sterile procedures.
   4. Maintaining accurate logging records.
   5. Ability to effectively communicate and report findings associated with failed quality assurance activities
4. Demonstrates age-appropriate skills in completing assigned patient activities
   1. Transports patients in a safe and timely fashion.
   2. Collects specimens as assigned using correct policy and procedure for collection, labeling, and transporting specimens to the lab.
   3. Obtains and records vital signs accurately and in a timely manner as assigned. Obtains weight and height on patients as assigned and/or according to policy.
   4. Cleans and prepares exam rooms following each patient.
   5. Assists with procedure setup as needed.
   6. Accurately and promptly reports changes in patients’ condition to the provider.
   7. Understands and utilizes EMR per scope and certification status.
   8. Demonstrates competency in assisting in assigned procedures within scope.
   9. May perform simple lab and screening tests with competency.
   10. Provides for patient privacy during any treatment.
   11. Low-level disinfects equipment as per policy.
   12. Completes medication reconciliations.
   13. May be responsible for scheduling of tests or referrals and communicating to patient.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Experience Required:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of one-year related experience or training in assembly and sterilization of surgical instrumentation or as a surgical technologist.
• Completion of formal Sterile Processing Technician training or Certification program that includes aseptic technique and infection control training in lieu of experience.

-OR-

• Completion of formal Surgical Technician training or Certification program.

Experience Preferred:

• Two years of experience working as sterile processing technician.
• Experience working in ambulatory care setting assisting medical assistant staff.
• Central Supply Processing Department Technician (CSPDT), or Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification, Certification from the Board of Sterile Processing & Distribution (CBSPD Technician Certification).
• Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification
• Certified Surgical Technologist
• Computer skills (eg, Microsoft® PowerPoint, Word, Excel)

Language/Reasoning Ability:

1. Must be able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports and correspondence as needed. Must possess the ability to apply common sense understanding and carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions while dealing with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized variables.