Sterile Processing Technician II NS

Primary City/State

Phoenix, Arizona

Department Name

Sterile Processing Dept-Hosp

Work Shift

Evening

Job Category

Clinical Support

Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix has held Magnet status since 2005 and was recently bestowed its fourth consecutive Magnet designation by The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC). This designation is considered the gold standard of nursing excellence. What makes this truly extraordinary is only 1% of hospitals nationwide have achieved this designation four times.

As a Sterile Processing Technician , you will provide services in the decontamination and sterile processing areas whenever monitoring of sterilizers is needed. This is an important role that collaborates with OR staff to provide sterile instruments and equipment needed for operative procedures. You will assist with ongoing inventory of sterile supplies, equipment, schedule completion and communication for the department. Additional responsibilities include performing duties in an independent manner with little or no supervision. Ideal candidate is CRCST certified and has a minimum of 1 year working experience within an SPD Tech role.

SHIFT DETAILS

Employment Type: Full-time

Hours per Week: 40 Hours | 4x10's

Shift: Night

Schedule: Monday to Thursday, 8:00pm - 6:30am

On Call: Call and holiday rotation may be required

University Medical Center Phoenix is a nationally recognized academic medical center. The world-class hospital is focused on coordinated clinical care, expanded research activities and nurturing future generations of highly trained medical professionals. Our commitment to nursing excellence has enabled us to achieve Magnet™ recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Phoenix campus, long known for excellent patient care, has over 730 licensed beds, several unique specialty units and is the new home for medical discoveries, thanks to our collaboration with the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix. Additionally, the campus responsibilities include fully integrated multi-specialty and sub-specialty clinics.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position performs as an integral part of the OR team with limited supervision. Demonstrates accountability for operating room readiness ensuring sterile surgical instrumentation and disposable supplies are complete and ready for a procedure prior to the preceding patient leaving the operating room. Responsible for the proper care and handling of all general and specialty instrumentation including the cleaning, decontamination, disassemble/reassembly, quality assurance, instrument identification, set assembly, packaging, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instrumentation for PeriOp Services, hospital departments, and clinics. This position requires well manner communications and the ability to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking in person.

CORE FUNCTIONS

• Provides decontamination and sterile processing support to PeriOp Services, ED, ICU, hospital wide departments, and clinics both on and off campus, and ambulatory surgery centers. Provides various levels of service for the management of sterile surgical instrumentation and disposable patient care supplies. Support may-or-may-not include, decontamination of surgical instruments, assembly/sterilization, sterile instrument storage, partial or complete case cart support, OR core tech support and high-level disinfection.
• Responsible for the decontamination, assembly, and packaging of surgical instruments following established protocols, instructions for use (IFU) as well as performs required quality assurance, repairs, reassembly, documentation, sterility handling, and storage of specialized surgical instruments. Maintains required sterilization logs and quality assurance records relating to all equipment associated for the purpose of decontamination, HLD disinfection, and sterilization.
• Ability to identify interpret the surgical schedule and medical terminology as it pertains to procedures requiring sterile surgical instrumentation and disposable supplies. Able to address and communicate special needs to minimize delays to surgery. Responds to emergent calls from the Operating Room and performs preliminary investigations. Determines priority level of instrumentation requests and other hospital needs. Directs services in a competent and professional manner while assuring OR priorities are completed in a timely manner
• Able to differentiate surgical instrumentation that is surgery owned, consignment/loaner, hospital depart, surgeon, ambulatory surgery center, and clinics both on and off campus. Completes necessary tracking of surgical instruments with a paper log sheet or computer process for instrumentation leaving the area. Reports needed replacement of surgical instruments to maintain the inventory and support readiness of sets.
• Utilizes specialized equipment for the decontamination, high-level disinfection, and sterilization of surgical instrumentation according to the device and equipment manufacturer’s recommendations and hospital policy. Operates steam and hydrogen peroxide sterilizers of various sizes. Operates automated surgical instrument washers, ultrasonics, flush pumps, visualization devices, and cart washers to include high-level disinfectors where supported.
• Operates various quality assurance testing equipment associated to flexible endoscopic scopes, transesophageal ultrasound probes, and electro-surgical insulation defect detector for laparoscopic and energy provided surgical instrumentation. Utilizes heat detection devices to allow steam sterilized surgical instrumentation to be released for use without risking burns to staff and patients. Operates demagnetizers of stainless-steel instruments for ophthalmic and delicate cardiac surgical instrumentation for safe use on patients. Utilizes various borescope devices to inspect inner channels of lumened surgical instrumentation and flexible scopes.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment by adhering to Standard Precautions and Infection Control practices. Staff follow protocols for proper donning of personnel protective equipment (PPE) while completing the decontamination process referencing IFU’s supplied by the manufacturers.
• Maintain flexibility to rotate shifts and adjust hours as needed, maintain a work record of regular attendance, timely arrivals, and departures, maintain professional appearance appropriate to position and function.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma/GED or equivalent working knowledge.

Minimum one (1) year experience as a Sterile Processing Technician OR certified as an SPD Technician (CSPDT) or Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) with less than one year of experience.

Must have mechanical aptitude with the ability to break down moving parts, clean, lubricate and reassemble, problem solve incomplete trays and missing instrumentation and have effective organizational, communication and human relation skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Instrument management tracking system.

Complete national certification as an SPD Technician (CSPDT) or Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) within one year of hire.

Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.