The Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for decontaminating, disassembling, cleaning, reassembling, packaging, and sterilizing instrumentation used on surgical cases as well as in the nursing units. Follows protocols to ensure equipment/instrumentation processing meeting national standards and Infection Control guidelines. Provides both disposable and reusable equipment to nursing staff to meet patient care needs, which may include delivery to the nursing units. Stores, stocks and dispenses disposable supplies utilized in surgery.
Skills required to be successful as a Sterile Processing Technician:
- Basic computer skills
- Understanding of Basic Medical Terminology
- Ability to perform detail oriented work repetitiously for long periods of time
- Ability to work in a fast paced environment
- Ability to work in an environment that frequently responds to STAT and ASAP customer needs
- Ability to perform tasks with minimal error
- Must possess critical thinking skills and the ability to work independently
- Performs the re-assembly and packaging of instrument sets accurately and efficiently and in accordance with department policies and procedures and/or the manufacturer's instructions for use
- Performs manual cleaning accurately and efficiently to remove contaminating infectious microorganisms and other bodily fluid contaminates from reusable instrumentation and equipment
- Performs manual cleaning and disinfection for heat and moisture sensitive devices
- Inspects instruments for cleanliness to prevent nosocomial infection
- Inspects instruments for defects and proper functionality to minimize damage to bodily organs, vessels and/or tissue
- Uses various electronic tools to inspect electrosurgical instruments and cables for defects
- Delivers clean patient equipment to nursing units and retrieves and cleans contaminated equipment from the nursing units
- Restocks Specialty Carts as necessary
- Documents completed work and verifies processing parameters
- Performs accurate documentation within the Digital Information system on the computer at the hospital