Job Description

Sterile Processing Technician

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours and Shifts

Methodist Overview:

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, part of Covenant Health, is a trusted regional hospital serving East Tennessee with advanced care and a personal touch. With more than 30 specialties, including cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and vascular care, the facility offers innovative treatments for complex conditions like aneurysms, joint damage, heart failure, and chronic wounds. Backed by a team of over 1,000 healthcare professionals and 250 physicians, Methodist Medical Center combines state-of-the-art technology with compassionate care, earning national recognition for patient safety and excellence in stroke and heart care. Our facilities offer patients all the benefits of medical expertise and innovation while still embodying the convenience of a hometown medical center that is close to the support of family and friends.

Job Objectives

Store, process and issue supplies and instruments for use in the operating room and clinical hospital departments.

Responsibilities

• Cleans and decontaminates equipment and instruments utilizing established antiseptic techniques.
• Operates and maintains washer decontamination unit and ultrasonic cleaner.
• Operates and maintains all sterilizers used within the sterile processing department and OR; maintains appropriate records in compliance with the Joint Commission standards;
• Maintains routine biological readings on Steris for quality control.
• Provides sterile linen and instrumentation for all clinical departments.
• Assembles the supplies and instruments necessary for surgical cases.
• Responsible for putting away supplies and instruments and ensuring proper rotation of such.
• Maintains and operates etcher for proper identification of instruments.
• Utilizes department computer programs to complete data entry and access reports for supply and instrument management functions.
• Communicates and renders assistance to nursing staff within the limits that their training and skills permit.
• NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned.
• HEALTH/SAFETY/COMPETENCE: Cannot pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others. Must provide safe, efficient, competent care to customer or patient population assigned. Must demonstrate competency of the unit specific functions described in the performance continuum, skill lists and/or standards.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent is required. Additional training in the nursing field is preferred. Working knowledge of aseptic technique is required. Must be able to read with comprehension and write legibly. Must be capable of understanding and following instructions provided on the proper care of surgical instruments, endoscopes, drills, and all items cleaned and processed for surgery. Must possess critical thinking skills pertinent to the sterile processing environment. Computer skills with hardware/software preferred.

For staff involved in the care of age-specific groups, knowledge of the bio-psychosocial needs of adult, geriatric and pediatric patients is essential. Special knowledge is required in growth and development needs of pediatric/geriatric patients where applicable.

EXPERIENCE:

Six months' previous experience in the workroom is preferred.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS:

If hired into this position after January 1, 2017, must take and pass an accepted Central Processing exam through either IAHCSMM (International Association for Healthcare Material Management) as a Certified Registered Sterile Processing Technician (CRCST) or through CBSPD (Certification Board for Sterile Processing Technicians) as a Certified Sterile Processing Distribution Technician (CSPDT) within 2 years of entry-level employment in the position. SPD certification preferred.

If hired into this position before January 1, 2017, must complete a minimum of 10 continuing education credits annually in areas related to sterile processing