Under the supervision of the Sterile Processing Supervisor and Director of Surgical Services, is responsible for disassembly, decontamination, sterilization, and assembly of surgical equipment

Position Function and Duties:

Clinical Competency:

• Receives, disassembles, and decontaminates instruments and equipment used in surgery and patient care area per manufacturer requirement

• Chooses appropriate method of decontamination, prepares equipment, instruments, and supplies for sterilization according to manufacturer requirement

• Assembles instrument sets per printed set lists

• Wrap, label and place chemical indicators

• Continuously assess the integrity of sterile packaging

• Collaborate with surgical services leadership to ensure proper sets available for all scheduled surgical procedures

• Operates decontamination equipment adhering to strict quality control standards and manufacturers requirements

• Performs, interprets and documents biological indicator results on all loads. Notifies supervisor when indicators are out of range

• Utilizes appropriate recording charts for all sterilization cycles

• Solutions are mixed, labeled, monitored and exchanged according to manufacturer requirements

• Performs preventive maintenance on hospital-wide patient care equipment according to manufacturer's instructions

• Promptly notifies appropriate personnel for repair or replacement

• Distributes equipment, instruments, and supplies processed by Central Sterile, following identified schedule

• Cross trains to other duties as needed to promote flexibility, sustainability and teamwork within the Critical Access Hospital setting

Professionalism:

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; and/or participating in professional societies

• Demonstrates the accountability as a health care professional by recognizing each practitioner is individually responsible for his/her actions

Quality:

• Adheres to Sterile Processing professional guidelines. Follows instructions for use for equipment and instruments (IFU's)

• Adheres to Infection Prevention standards, consistent in hand hygiene best practices. Holds team members to IP and hand hygiene standards

• Actively participates in departmental continuous survey readiness activities, departmental collateral duties, quality reviews and performance improvement projects

Patient Advocacy:

• Protects the patient's rights, dignity, and privacy

• Resolves patient problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies

• Take proactive steps to recognize and report suspected abuse/neglect including child, elder, sexual abuse, spousal abuse, and reports to supervisor and/or appropriate authorities

Organizational Expectations:

• Attendance: Attendance is an essential job function; employee comes to work daily, on time, and completes scheduled shift

• HIPAA: facilitates to maintain patient confidentiality

• Internal communication: contributes to positive team performance and a culture of service excellence through effective communication, active listening, and respect

• Interpersonal relationships: maintains appropriate interpersonal relationships with staff, patients, and visitors at all times. Works as a team member with other departments.

• Safety: Practices workplace safety daily

Employee Engagement:

• Actively participates in all hospital Service Excellence initiatives and trainings

• Attends and participates in a minimum of 50% department staff meetings and signs off on review of 100% department staff meeting minutes

• Completes all required annual education on or before the due date

Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Individuals must possess these knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the primary functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities and possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation, to safely perform the essential functions of the job.

• Minimal physical effort required with occasional light lifting to a maximum of 25 pounds; stooping; and pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work primarily with fingers

• Ability to effectively manage considerable mental stress

• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word

• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication

• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and convey information in a clear, concise and accurate manner

• Familiarity with computer and other business machines

Qualifications:
Experience: Effectively organize work and set priorities; Positive attitude; Applicable knowledge

License and Certification:

If experienced, certification will be expected within one year of hire.

Certification by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD or International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) or similar accredited agency, within 18 months of hire if no experience.