Description
General Summary of Position
Responsible for decontamination, cleaning, processing and sterilization of supplies and equipment dispensed by the department following established infection control practices. May act as preceptor to new associates.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Assembles with 100% accuracy all instrument trays, sets, kits and packs according to the prescribed manner using content lists or set recipe as a guide. Wraps packages and handles them according to the standard procedure. Scans trays/sets one at a time to avoid potential problem. Carefully inventory each tray/set according to the recipe or content lists.Validates containers/wrapped items to ensure all trays are properly prepared by initialing the load card/tape. This confirms filters, locks, indicators, count sheets and valve plates are in place. Marks items with the identifying data and distributes or stores in designated area. Consults with the supervisor, team leader or designee when unable to replace parts or when the equipment is deficient in the work area.Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.Disassembles and cleans equipment such as suction machines, IV poles and monitors, and pumps using approved disinfectants, detergents, soaps and cleaners (if applicable). Reassembles equipment after cleaning and operates to test for proper functioning. Sends all inoperable equipment to the appropriate holding area for pick up or repair.Dispenses products requested for sterile and non-sterile equipment and supplies. Assigns priority to emergency requests and issues them to the requesting department according to department established procedure. Scans all items/products as appropriate prior to issuing to the department. Enforces/completes the SPD forms for documentation or tracking purposes.Maintains clean and organized work areas and equipment at all times. Follow the routine schedules for cleaning and maintaining the equipment on regular basis as recommended by the manufacturer. Maintains a safe work environment by following the standards of cleaning and applying good aseptic techniques.Maintains and cleans the shelves and work areas at end of each shift. Applies aseptic techniques in daily work assignments. Performs general cleaning of the department surface areas, racks, shelves, all storage areas.Maintains certification to enhance professional growth and development- Participates in educational program- Participates in in-service meetings and workshops.Makes visual inspections of the inventory to maintain adequate stock and supply levels. Works closely in maintaining appropriate inventory levels of stock. Assists in requisitioning / ordering of departmental supplies.Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts as required.Participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams.Participates in the orientation of new associates to each work assignment area and to overall departmental operation. Accepts responsibility with great attitude. Provides feedback on the progress of the new associates/students on regular basis.Performs biological and chemical monitoring. Performs the tests at the beginning of the shift or as often as needed. Records results in the appropriate log. Performs visible inspection of the sterilizers (sterrad, V-Pro and steam) and reports immediately to the Team Leader or Supervisor/Manager if there is a concern.Performs other duties as assigned.Processes all contaminated instruments, supplies and equipment returned to decontame area. Checks proper operation of the cart washer, U/S washers, Washer Decontaminators, dryer and dumb waiter on a daily basis and reports malfunction to team leader/manager. Receives all completed case carts and attends to and processes trays received immediately. Prioritizes trays that need to be turned over with appropriate communication with the team leader and/ or designee. Receives/processes loaner trays following established standing procedure.Manually cleans the power tools, scopes and lenses and other delicate instruments. Maintains inventory of supplies in decontame area or notifies appropriate personnel. Maintains clean and orderly area at all times within shift. Performs leak test on all flexible endoscopes prior to cleaning and disinfecting according to established procedure. Performs water tests and records them accordingly on a daily basis if applicable. Performs routine cleaning of washers/decontaminators regularly as scheduled daily, by shift, weekly, biweekly or monthly.Sterilizes instruments, equipment, utensils and supplies using various types of sterilizers according to regulatory and manufacturer's instructions. Properly loads sterilizer in the prescribed manner and sets controls to specified time and temperature according to materials and requirements of items being sterilized. Completes appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization.Reads, marks and initials autoclave printout to verify appropriate sterilization cycle and provides records for inspection. Inspects items sterilized prior to sending/receiving to the appropriate department or area to assure integrity of wrapped items and sterilization. Cleans the sterilizer strainer and rinse under running water until debris are removed daily and every shift or as often as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required or
- equivalent. required
Experience
- 1-2 years 2 years sterile processing technician experience preferred
Licenses and Certifications
- CRCST - Certified and Registered Central Service Technician CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) certification required or
- CSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Tech CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician) certification. required and
- Must maintain annual continuing education credits to maintain certification status. required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of aseptic technique, sterilization techniques, infection control requirements, basic knowledge of medical/surgical procedures and terminology.
- Strong customer service skills.
- Basic computer skills.
- Verbal and written communication skills.
Why MedStar Health?
At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered. We live up to this promise through:
- Strong emphasis on teamwork - our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.
- Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity - we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.
- Comprehensive total rewards package - including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.
- More career opportunities closer to home - as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.
About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It's how we treat people.
MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations. MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws. If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health's policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.
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