Certified Sterilization Processing Technician at Intrepidus Surgical Institute – LANCASTER, Pennsylvania

Join our dedicated surgical team as a Certified Sterilization Processing Technician and play a vital role in ensuring patient safety and high-quality care. In this key position, you’ll be responsible for the meticulous cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of all surgical instruments and medical equipment used throughout our state-of-the-art surgery center. Your expertise and attention to detail will help maintain the highest standards of infection control and safety, supporting our clinical team in delivering exceptional outcomes every day. If you take pride in precision, teamwork, and excellence in patient care, we’d love to have you on our team!

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operates all required equipment and machinery accurately and safely.
• Prepares, assembles and sterilizing instruments and supplies according to parameters of sterilization in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania DOH, AAAHC, 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.
• Adheres to Standard Precautions as appropriate utilizing protective barriers as appropriate (e.g., gloves, both unsterile and/or utility, gowns or aprons that are impervious to fluids, masks or face shields, safety glasses) when performing duties.
• Handles and disposes of infectious/biohazardous waste appropriately.
• Uses good hand hygiene practices.
• Cleans and reprocesses a variety of ophthalmology surgical instrumentation according to the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFUs)
• Cleans, disinfects, and reprocesses other critical instruments and equipment as needed (i.e., reusable laryngoscope blades)
• Lubricates and reassembles hinged instruments.
• Identifies and labels instruments for sterile processing.
• Identifies and labels instrument for repair, when applicable
• Monitors Steris systems (inclusive of washer disinfector and sterilizers) to ensure optimal level of performance.
• Performs routine tasks as specified on Steris systems equipment, interpreting and recording results in appropriate log.
• Maintains cleaning, disinfection and sterilization equipment following manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) procedures.
• Operates Steris system equipment utilizing proper operating procedures and methods in accordance with manufacturers recommended parameters for use as well as loading and unloading techniques.
• Follows all policies, procedures, and infection control guidelines specific to cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of critical instruments and equipment as provided by the facility Infection Control Plan as well as all applicable infection control policies and procedures.
• Maintains and stocks equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Puts equipment, instruments and supplies away in neat and orderly fashion, using proper stocking and storage techniques.
• Oversee the care, handling, and maintenance of surgical instrumentation.
• Troubleshoots basic technical problems with Steris systems equipment; contacting Steris when issues arise that require outside expertise.
• Prepares surgical instrumentation for sterilization by appropriate cleaning and disinfection.
• Places surgical instrumentation in sterilization pouches and trays with appropriate monitoring strips.
• Inspects pouches and trays once run through sterilization cycle to ensure appropriate sterilization as per monitoring strip requirements.
• Stores sterilized instrumentation appropriately.
• Inspects stored sterilized instrumentation for integrity prior to use daily before pulled for use in the operating room.
• Maintains all logs, relevant disinfection, and sterilization.
• Maintains open communication with Clinical Director regarding maintenance of Steris systems equipment and supplies to meet facility needs.
• Documents and tracks repairs of any instrumentation and equipment in need of repair.
• Communicates receipt of repaired or new equipment and instrumentation to the Clinical Director.
• Complies with established policies and procedures established and approved by the governing body relevant to the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization.
• Attends variety of meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed.
• Maintains continuing education as required, reporting information to Clinical Director and Administrative Director.
• Acts as a resource to nursing staff regarding responsibilities of proper sterilization techniques.
• Demonstrates use of facility-based quality improvement/infection control/patient safety initiatives as part of daily workday.
• Comply with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Consistently fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation through communication and cooperation with all members of the health care team.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency.
• Develops and maintains personal and professional skills, as defined.
• Serves on committees as appointed by the governing body.
• Supports the mission and goals of the Center.
• Accurately completes incident reports within the shift of occurrence and immediately communicates critical incidents to the appropriate person per the organizational chart.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent of high school education.
• Successfully completed a certification course as a Surgical Processing Department technician and maintained certification and educational requirements of Act 80 of 2020 known as Certification of Central Service Technicians & Surgical Technologists Act.
• Willing to complete appropriate continuing education to maintain certification as well as meeting the education requirements of Act 80 of 2020 known as Certification of Central Service Technicians & Surgical Technologists Act.
• Ability to work independently.
• Familiarity with personal computer and ancillary equipment, telephone, electronic health record system and requirements for documentation, copier, and fax.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and basic duties relevant to the use of equipment and processes required for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of critical instrumentation and equipment.
• Detail oriented.
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with the public, peers, and physicians.
• Able to speak fluently in English, as well as read and write in English.
• Ability to understand reports generated by computer systems.
• Ability to add, subtract, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problem solving of several concrete variables concurrently.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of three to twelve months’ experience is highly preferred.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires light physical effort.
• Requires periods of prolonged standing, walking, with some pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping.
• Good visual acuity, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Possess the manual dexterity to operate equipment.
• Able to maintain a pleasant and courteous demeanor under all circumstances.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

POSITION ENVIRONMENT, TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This includes but not limited to being exposed to bloodborne pathogens, anesthetic gases, electrical and mechanical hazards, confused or combative patients, bio-contaminated waste, and unpleasant elements. Subject to stressful situations; occasional irregular hours related to patient need. The noise level in the work environment is usually considered to be moderate.

This is a full-time/part-time, non-exempt position with varied shifts. Business hours of operation 6am-4:30pm, subject to change based on volume.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Intrepidus Surgical Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.