Sterile Processing Technician

NO NIGHTS, NO WEEKENDS, NO HOLIDAYS

Does your job have meaning? Sight . . . is a precious gift

The Albuquerque Ambulatory Eye Surgery Center is a joint venture out-patient ophthalmology surgery center designed to provide quality care to the community.

The Sterile Processing Technician performs duties of decontamination, preparation, assembly, high level disinfection, sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for the AAESC, utilizing infection control and safety practices during all phases of the process. Under direct and indirect supervision follows departmental policies and procedures. Inventories, restocks and distributes instruments to the operating rooms.

Job Duties May Include:

• Cleans, decontaminates, disinfects and sterilizes surgical instruments, trays and reusable medical devices. Inspection, maintenance, assembly and sterilization of surgical instruments.
• Handling, storage and transportation of surgical instruments to the operating room.
• Monitor and maintain standards of disinfection and sterilization as recommended by prevailing regulatory and professional organization recommendations or guidelines.
• Prioritize tasks as directed by the supervisor or as needed to support patient care for the surgery center.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in accordance with standards and policies.
• Operates all required equipment and machinery accurately and safely according to parameters of sterilization in accordance with The Department of Health, CMS, OSHA, CDC, AAMI, and AORN standards.
• Maintains appropriate records, and monitors quality control and infection control standards, provides asset management and support of surgical instruments and trays belonging to or consigned to the facility.
• Accurately handles and cares for instruments appropriately, including appropriate selection of cleaning agents, lubricants, examination for function, identification and assembly and preparation for sterilization.
• Responsible for reporting damaged or malfunctioning equipment to the Manager and follows process for replacement.
• Correctly peel-packs supplies and instruments, wraps instruments for sterilization, inspects each instrument for use, function, completeness and cleanliness.
• Coordinates with Materials Department to ensure facility sets are stocked to PAR levels.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory and continuing education and skills competency. Supports department – based goals which contribute to the success of the organization. Communicates with operating room staff to provide required instruments.
• Maintains records for QA and sterilization.
• Employees are expected to comply with all regulatory requirements, including CMS standards.
• Is familiar with organization, department and job specific Environment of Care areas, including Life Safety, Hazardous Materials Communications, Emergency Preparedness, Infection Control and Medical Equipment Failure.
• Adheres to Standard Precautions as appropriate, which may include: use of protective barriers, as appropriate (e.g., gloves, masks, gowns, pocket masks, and/or safety glasses); handling and disposing of infectious waste appropriately; and hand washing as appropriate.
• Maintains flexibility to rotate shifts and adjust hours as needed. Maintains a work record of regular attendance, timely arrivals and departures.
• Knows fire and safety procedures for work area.
• Maintains professional appearance appropriate to position and function. Wears identification badge while on duty.
• Participates in cost effective delivery of care.

Skills/Qualifications:

• High school or equivalent.
• One-year experience in sterile processing environment, hospital or clinic (medical or veterinary) preferred. Previous experience with handling of sterile supplies preferred.
• National certification for sterile processing preferred.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required (training provided and paid for by company).

Working Environment and Physical Requirements:Physical working environment may include, but not limited to, any of the following hazards: high pressure steam, chemical, electrical, mechanical, bio-waste, stress, back strain, body fluids, etc. Environmental conditions may include, but not be limited to, variations in temperature, noise, odors, multi-stimuli, etc. Pressure from high volume census to meet deadlines to obtain adequate instrumentation from vendors. Extensive people contact and interruptions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to constantly stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to stoop, crouch and twist. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, squat and sit. The employee must be able to consistently support, push, pull and/or lift up to 25 pounds. Functional physical demands include manual dexterity and fine motor skills and reaching. The following senses will be needed for essential duties of the job: speech, vision, hearing, smell and touch. Ability to lift trays of instruments, walking, and standing.

What we offer:

• Career Path
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Eight (8) company paid holidays (including the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve)
• Medical and Dental
• Generous Vision benefits for you and your dependents
• Education Assistance Program
• 401(k) and Roth Program
• Flexible Spending