Sterile Processing Tech | Evening | Full-Time

Sterile Processing Technician

Join the Sterile Processing team at UF Health Jacksonville and play a critical role in supporting safe, high-quality patient care within a nationally recognized Level I Trauma Center.

Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for performing effective and efficient decontamination, cleaning, sterilization, and reprocessing of patient care equipment, surgical instruments, and medical supplies, in support of all hospital and clinical areas. Accountable for sterilization documentation. Knowledgable in all processes relates to unit sterilizers. Working under the supervision and guidance of manager, supervisor, lead workers, and more experienced staff, will utilize knowledge and skills to work independently in all job functions.

Responsibilities

• Disassembly/Decontamination- Identify and decontaminate all instruments/equipment according to established policy and procedure. Sorts, loads, unloads and decontaminates equipment and instruments.
• Assembly - Assemble all instrument procedure trays, packs, and kits according to the prescribed manner using content lists as a guide; wrap package and handle all items following procedure; mark items with identifying data and distribute or store in designated areas; notify supervisor when unable to replace parts or with equipment deficiencies in the work area. Updates information on count sheets.
• Sterilization - Sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen and supplies using various types of sterilizers and aerators; Perform Bowie Dick and Attest per policy and procedure; load autoclaves in the prescribed manner and set controls to specified time and temperature according to material and requirements of items being sterilized; complete appropriate documentation records prior to sterilization ; read and initial sterilizer print-outs to verify appropriate sterilization cycle and provide required records for various state and regulatory agencies; maintain required documentation on sterilization loads.
• Retrieval/Storage/Distribution - Dispense/distribute products requested for sterile and non-sterile equipment and supplies; assign priority to emergency requests and issue required supplies and equipment based on knowledge of procedure intended; assemble and wrap material, instruments and supplies according to established aseptic technique. Prepares operating room case carts, sterile trays and supplies for all areas of the hospital.
• Work Environment - Maintain assigned work areas and equipment in a clean and organized condition to maintain required standards for handling sterilized and clean materials and to maintain a safe work environment. Apply aseptic techniques in daily work assignments. General cleaning of department surface areas, racks, shelves, storage cabinets and all storage areas. Performs quality control through routine testing and cleaning to assure sterilization equipment and instruments are functioning properly.
• Assists with immediate need requests from all units daily.
• Participates with task support as required.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by management within job scope.
• Performs same duties in the OR Clean core (e.g. transfer/storage of sterile instrumentation, operation of Immediate use processes, etc.)
• Processes flexible scope high-level disinfection

Qualifications

Required Education: High School Diploma or GED.

Required Licensure/Certifications: New hires effective February 1, 2014 must obtain and maintain Central Service Certification (CBSPD or CRCST) or Surgical Technology Certification (CST) within 1 year of date of hire or transfer into the position. Current employees hired prior to February 1, 2014 will be grandfathered.

Preferred Licensure/Certifications: One or more years of Central Service Certification (CBSPD or CRCST) or Surgical Technology Certification (CST)

Required Experience: Less than 1y work experience OR sterile processing / surgical technology school graduate OR CRCST, CSPDT, or CST certification.

Preferred Experience: 1-2 years of Sterile Processing or equivalent OR experience.

Necessary Skills:

1. Knowledge in the use of autoclave, steris, washer/disinfection, sterrad, etc.

2. Must possess manual dexterity, computer skills, and be able to work under pressure.

3. Effective oral and written communication skills.

4. Must be able to read, spell and do simple math, write clearly and understand written and oral instructions.

5. Ability to function successfully as part of a team.