Certified Sterile Processing Tech/Endoscopy

Employment Type:
Full time

Shift:
Description:
The Central Sterile & Reprocess Tech (Endoscopy) provides care to patients undergoing procedural intervention in compliance with policies and procedures of Surgical Services, AORN, JCAHO, OSHA, and AMI standards. The Central Sterile & Reprocess Tech must have a working knowledge of decontamination, instrumentation, sterilization, and the building of case carts. The Technician is also responsible for the processing of any sterilized product across the hospital. The Central Sterile & Reprocess Tech provides technical assistance with all procedures throughout various departments of the hospital under the supervision of the Sterile Processing Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Decontamination:
Receives soiled case carts and soiled instruments into the decontamination area; Scans all instruments into the impress system. Prioritizes instruments needed for turnaround (i.e., instruments on the needs list. Handwashes or pre-soaks in enzyme solution. Pre-cleans all lumened instruments in ultrasonic cleaner. Has working knowledge of washer functionalities. Selects rack and cycle for type of instruments to be cleaned. Washes case carts in cart-washer. Changes solutions for instrument and cart washer when indicated. Makes sure magnets on instruments rack are correctly aligned in washer. Refills solution containers daily, ensuring proper solutions are used.

• Core: Acts as a liaison between OR suites and SPD to communicate the changes and needs for subsequent cases. Performs daily tests and biologicals on sterilizer and Steris and maintains records of flash sterilization. Provides routine maintenance on Steris and eye sterilizer. Assemble and Steris scopes as needed. Transports sterile items to the OR suites. Checks case carts for needed items. Returns unused items to sterile processing. Orders supplies for the core area.
• Instruments: Maintains effective communication with OR, Management, Physicians, peers and interdisciplinary team to provide the appropriate instrumentation to start and maintain the surgery. Assists in proper technique in handling instruments. Check and update needs list regularly. Assembles instruments in order of importance:
• Instruments and sets on needs list.
• One-of-a-kind instruments and sets.
• All other instruments and sets. Inspects all instruments for damage after decontamination. Determine repair procedure when needed; place in appropriate "on-site" container, communicate and identify what repair is needed. Check case carts for accuracy before being sent to the core. Replaces damaged instruments. Wrap instruments/sets in appropriate wrapper/container.
• Sterilization: Has working knowledge of all sterilization techniques in SPD and OR. Is able to trouble shoot sterilization problems within SPD and OR. Initiates daily sterilization routine:
• Check and remove debris from drain baskets.
• Inspect door gaskets for cracks/damage.
• Check steam pressure.
• Perform Bowie Dick air leak test and record results. Prepare the biological indicator test packs. Initiate . daily biological monitoring. Record results of previous biological monitoring. Report problems to Coordinator/coordinator assistant/charge tech. Initiate recall procedure if necessary. Prepare label gun with correct date and identification number. Stamp each item to be sterilized with the load number. Load items into Impress System. Arrange items on the loading cart for proper penetration of steam and elimination of liquid. Initiate and monitor sterilization cycle. Check sterilization cycle record tape at the completion of the cycle and initial tape. Remove load from sterilizer and place load away from vents for cooling.