United Health Services
Sterile Processing Technician 1
United Health Services, Johnson City, New York, United States, 13790
Job Responsibilities
Retrieves and receives used instruments and patient equipment from the operating room, clinical departments, ancillary areas, and clinics in a 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. Ensures that 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 procedural instrumentation, power equipment, surgical implants and patient medical devices are assembled, inspected for proper function, and appropriately packaged for disinfection and sterilization. Ensures that patient equipment is in appropriate working order for utilization in direct care. Ensures that 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 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. Transports instruments to off‐site clinics via company vehicle. Distributes and re‐stocks crash carts (adult and pediatric) and trauma carts
Position Qualifications
Minimum Requirements High School Diploma or equivalent
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:
1 year previous SPD (certified or uncertified) or Operating Room experience. Surgical inventory experience
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
Retrieves and receives used instruments and patient equipment from the operating room, clinical departments, ancillary areas, and clinics in a 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. Ensures that 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 procedural instrumentation, power equipment, surgical implants and patient medical devices are assembled, inspected for proper function, and appropriately packaged for disinfection and sterilization. Ensures that patient equipment is in appropriate working order for utilization in direct care. Ensures that 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 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. Transports instruments to off‐site clinics via company vehicle. Distributes and re‐stocks crash carts (adult and pediatric) and trauma carts
Position Qualifications
Minimum Requirements High School Diploma or equivalent
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:
1 year previous SPD (certified or uncertified) or Operating Room experience. Surgical inventory experience
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