MAJOR FUNCTION:

To clean, decontaminate, inspect, assemble and sterilize instruments for Surgical Services and other departments. To clean, assemble, inspect and distribute patient care equipment. To perform other duties to facilitate departmental operations. Demonstrates superior technical skills and knowledge of all Sterile Processing functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

High school graduate or equivalent. Previous Sterile Processing exp. or formal training in Sterile Processing/Surgical Instrumentation required.

Certification/Licensure:    

CRCST certification preferred. Must attain CRCST National certification within 3 years of employment. 

Knowledge & Skills:

Good communication and organizational skills. 

Position Responsibilities

Consistency of Effort:

•Employee processes all items coming into the department in a timely manner in accordance with Policy and Procedure.

Instrumentation Reprocessing:

•Prepares instruments for hand washing, washer/decontaminator and ultrasonic cleaner. •Loads washer/decontaminator baskets properly. •Inspects instruments for cleanliness and functionality. •Takes action to correct dirty, missing or broken instrument. •Assembles instrument sets accurately and complete.  A 98% accuracy rate is required. •Properly packages, labels, replaces/checks filters, and tapes instrument sets, trays and single instruments. •Places all sterile items in proper place.

Provides training and instruction to employees:

•Assists with orientation with new employees. •Serves as a resource for education issues and educational development.

Supports the operations of the organization/department by active participation in Inspira Health Network's Consistency of Effort:

•Employee processes all items coming into the department in a timely manner in accordance with Policy and Procedures. •Follows all policies/procedures related to Standard Universal Precautions/Infection Control. •Projects a professional image by adhering to dress code policy. •Adheres to INSPIRA HEALTH Technology Policy. •Participates in departmental staff conferences. •Monitor and maintains cleanliness and organization in work area.

Demonstrates organizational and departmental standards for delivering exceptional service to improve patient/customer satisfaction:

•Respect for every individual. •Ensures patient's rights, privacy and dignity. •Maintains confidentiality. •Communicates in a courteous, cheerful and professional manner. •Displays empathy, compassion and cooperation. •Demonstrates competency in interacting with a broad spectrum of clients. •Keep personal conversations, concerns and problems private. •Delivers of exceptional service. •Maintains eye contact and a pleasant facial expression when dealing with others. •Utilizes telephone etiquette consistent with the INSPIRA HEALTH NETWORK 's corporate values. •Responds in a positive and courteous manner to request from customers. •Answers all questions in an even, pleasant and thorough manner. •Demonstrates sensitivity to customer's inconvenience by ensuring timely service or advising them of unexpected delays as appropriate. •Follows through to ensure customer's needs are met. •Develops a relationship of collaboration between self and others. •Maintains composure when dealing with difficult customers.

Continuous Quality Improvement:

•Identifies and participates in opportunities for process improvement. •Takes personal accountability for doing the right things right. •Adapts to changing departmental, patient and customer needs.

Participates in the professional direction of self and others by effective utilization of educational resources:

•Able to differentiate the age-appropriate needs for equipment/supplies. •Completes required competencies including Safety Management/Infection Control. •Completes annual Sterile Processing skill review and competencies. •Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings. May conduct meetings on evening or night shift. •Attends educational programs and complete educational assignments as scheduled.

Essential Functions:

•Disassembles and decontaminates instruments and patient care equipment in preparation for further processing •Process, accurately assembles and operationally checks instruments sets and equipment that are to be used intraoperatively with a 98% accuracy rate. •Operate, maintain and clean washer/decontaminators, ultrasonic machine, steam sterilizers, Sterrad sterilizers, heat sealers and any other required equipment and machinery. •Must be able to function as a resource person for others in Sterile Processing.

Other Functions and Duties:

•Logs contents of sterilizer loads for all autoclaves. •Performs and properly documents biological and chemical monitoring. •Logs in and out, equipment delivered to patients and picked up from medical/surgical floors. •Maintains the cleanliness of the department and work area. •Assemble case carts accurately.  Physical Requirements: 
N: Never       O: Occasionally (<20%)       F: Frequently (20%-80%)       C: Constantly (>80%)           Lifting <20lbs   C Standing   C Sitting    O Lifting 20-50lbs   C Climbing   F Kneeling    O Lifting>50lbs   N Crouching   O Reaching    F Carrying   C Hearing   C Walking    C Pushing   C Talking   C Vision    C             Environmental Conditions:           Noise   C Varied Temperatures   C Cleaning Agents    C Noxious odors   C Patient Exposure   C Operative Equipment    C