Level I - Sterile Processing Technician - $18-25 per hourUnited Health Services • Binghamton, New York, United States
Level I - Sterile Processing Technician - $18-25 per hour
United Health Services
- Binghamton, New York, United States
- Binghamton, New York, United States
About
Specialty: Sterile Processing Technician Discipline: Allied Health Professional Duration: Ongoing 40 hours per week Shift: 8 hours Employment Type: Staff
Work Environment
Must be able to lift minimum of
50lbs Stand or walk for long periods of time Use a computer to document tasks, assemble sets, and document sterilization cycles Work in areas where temperatures can vary from cold to warmer Required to wear appropriate PPE. Hospital issued scrubs, head bonnet, beard cover, gloves, shoe covers, impervious gown, heat resist mittens, badge to monitor fume exposure Potential burns from high temperature steam sterilizers, loading carts and or handling of concentrated hydrogen peroxide Exposure to bodily fluids and other related blood biohazardous gross substances Include contact, fluid and airborne infections
Potential punctures from sharp instruments, syringes, and scalpels Exposure to NFPA Health Hazardous chemicals; Carcinogenic and highly flammable Ethylene Oxide Live bacterial spores, biological indicators Concentrated hydrogen peroxide Liquid chemical enzymatic detergents
Exposure to loud equipment noise. Potential falls and splashing while in decontamination due to nature of assignment. Neoprene gloves are available to handle Ethylene oxide gas. Personal environment badges (8 hour and 15 minutes) required while operating Ethylene Oxide sterilizers. Rotated work assignments dispensing, decontamination, assembly, sterilization etc. Rotate work sites from WMC, ASC, BGH Speak fluently with nurses, surgeons, and other peri-operative personnel
Training
Required to train under SPD Tech Lv 2 or higher until certification is obtained Acquire certification upon 18 months of hire
Training will include but not limited to Sterilizer quality assurance and testing High temperature steam, low temperature hydrogen peroxide, ethylene oxide sterilization,
Decontamination workflow and process Manual sinks, enzymatic detergents, enzymatic dosing system, instrument cleaning brushes Quality assurance testing on Ultrasonic baths, enzymatic dosing system, and instrument washer disinfector
Instrument processing How to follow instrument count sheets/recipe Instrument quality testing and visual inspections Wrapping or containerization Cannula inspection Residual protein cleanliness check
Instrument dryer
Instrument Tracking system Sterilization documentation Decontamination documentation Assembly decontamination Documenting department tasks Documenting quality events
Training provided on Hospital units and customers served Provided lesson plans, educational in-services, and training provided by SPD educator
HIPAA Roles-Based Access to Patient Information
Coded – Access to diagnosis codes/service codes/billing information – Level 2 Access to view Epic Perioperative Schedule to anticipate instrument needs
Staff Supervised
None SPD Tech Level 1 will be supervised until certification is obtained
Essential Functions:
Essential functions are those tasks, duties and responsibilities that are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
Perform equipment quality tests including but not limited to cleaning washer screen, spray arms, and daily washer protein test; sterilizer daily maintenance checks and testing.
Utilize mechanical washers, ultrasonic washers, high and low temperature sterilizers, Eto Sterilizers, instrument dryers, and other SPD related equipment.
Retrieves and receives used instruments and patient equipment from the operating room, clinical departments, ancillary areas and clinics in an aseptic manner that prevents cross contamination in the hospital and to reduce the risk of injury (exposure) to workers, (OSHA standard). Demonstrates independent function in decontamination procedure in accordance with standard precautions.
Documents reusable medical devices when received in decontamination via instrument tracking system. Demonstrates instrument or set washed and disinfected prior to assembly and sterilization.
Utilizes industry-leading practices effectively manual cleaning using department specific enzymatic detergents, brushes, and methods. Dons appropriate PPE when in decontamination. After, loads and utilize mechanical ultrasonic baths and washer disinfectors to render reusable instruments safe for handling and assembly.
Performs quality inspections on each instrument and instrument category. (I.e. Scissor sharpness test, Boroscope for cannulated instruments, residue protein checks for cleanliness, visual inspections for pitting or corrosion, rongeur punch test etc.)
Ensures procedural instrumentation, power equipment, surgical implants and patient medical devices are assembled following the manufacture IFU and appointed count sheet/recipe.
Performs quality inspections after wrapping or containerizing sets prior to sterilization.
Ensures sterility is achieved by choosing the correct method of sterilization, the correct cycle, monitoring the sterilizer function, chemically and biologically testing sterilization equipment, and interpreting/documenting mechanical and testing results.
Ensures sterility and aeration is achieved and safe practices are performed in utilizing the Ethylene Oxide Sterilization process. Performs, observes and assesses safe work practices, regulatory compliance and emergency procedures related to the handling of Ethylene Oxide gas. Must maintain certification (annual testing) in the safe operation of ETO sterilizers and wear personnel environment badges per policy and OSHA standard
Performs visual inspections to check for appropriate chemical indicator color change for each set or peel packed item. Then distributes sterile instruments to respective units in an aseptic manor.
Manually clean, disinfect, store, distribute and track reusable durable medical equipment. (I.e. IV brains, modules, PCAs, SCDs, feeding pumps, hypo-hyperthermia machines etc.)
Maintains inventory and appropriate storage of sterile items and equipment in anticipation of distribution to various departments on request. Responds to routine and STAT requests.
Distributes and re-stocks crash carts (adult and pediatric) and trauma carts.
Required to learn various instrument specialties such as General, Orthopedic, Vascular, Plastic, Cardio Thoracic, Neuro, Ophthalmic, ENT, GYN, Podiatry, Gastro Urology, Cystoscopy, Dental, Dermatology, as well as how to perform quality test per each instrument’s manufacture IFU.
View daily perioperative surgical schedule to anticipate instrument turnover needs for following procedures or next day cases.
Non-Essential Functions: Duties the employee may perform that are not essential as defined in the job description.
Will perform other duties as assigned
Shadow and train under SPD Tech Level 2 or Higher until Certification is obtained.
Take part in department continuous education with return visual demonstration or graded exam.
Attend, take part, and acknowledge understanding of department huddles, education, and or meetings.
Distribute ancillary supplies to requesting units
Unbox and store supplies using the FIFO method
Checks for outdates
Education/Experience Minimum Requirements :
High School Diploma or equivalent
Preferred:
1 year previous SPD (certified or uncertified) or Operating Room experience. Surgical inventory experience
License/Certification Minimum Required:
Certification as a Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician is required within 18 months of hire (400 hours of experience required to sit for exam)
Preferred:
Not Applicable
Under general direction performs Sterile Processing Department duties, which include but are not limited to manual decontamination, operating mechanical washers, assembly, packaging, sterilization, operating various sterilizers, equipment and instrument quality inspections, ordering supplies and distribution of reusable surgical instrumentation and medical devices.
Following UHS Sterile Processing and Infection control policies must be able to interpret, maintain and document sterilization records in the electric instrument tracking system. Provide for and track all UHS inpatient units, off site clinical areas and outpatient clinics reusable instrumentation.
All to provide positive patient outcomes by meeting the needs of our customers identified as physicians, clinical units, ancillary areas, clinics and UHS affiliates. United Health Services Job ID #R0000014020. Posted job title: Sterile Processing Technician I About United Health Services
United Health Services (UHS) is more than a healthcare system. We are a compassionate, people-focused organization dedicated to improving the health of the communities that we serve.
As a locally owned, not-for-profit network, our team of more than 7,000 caregivers and professionals is united by the shared purpose to deliver safe, patient-centered care.
At UHS, every role matters. However you contribute, you will be part of a supportive, connected culture that values your voice and encourages growth. We are committed to helping you thrive through meaningful benefits, development opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging. Here, you are not just building a career—you are making a difference every day in the lives of others.
Benefits
Holiday Pay Continuing Education 403b retirement plan Pet insurance Sick pay Wellness and fitness programs Mileage reimbursement Employee assistance programs Medical benefits Dental benefits Vision benefits Benefits start day 1 License and certification reimbursement Life insurance
Languages
- English
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