Following all regulatory and professional standards, guidelines, requirements, and ethics, decontaminate, clean, assemble and process instrumentation correctly, ensuring that patients are not adversely affected. Always follows manufacturers’ instructions for use/processing.
Primary Responsibilities:
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Aware that the department follows guidelines, standards, recommendations of AORN, AAMI, SGNA, IAHCSMM. We are also governed by regulations from the FDA, EPA, OSHA and CMS.
- Follows prescribed procedures and techniques for effective decontamination and personal safety.
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Disassembles and cleans instruments, trays, and basins manually and mechanically according to manufacturers’ instructions.
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Disinfects and inspects equipment used in patient care. Reports defective equipment.
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Correctly uses various cleaning and disinfecting agents used in the decontamination process.
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Places items correctly in baskets and loads and operates washer/disinfector.
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Inspects all instruments for cleanliness and proper working order.
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Correctly arranges and assemble instrument sets, trays and various kits as per the “recipe”.
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Wraps or packages items in prescribed manner, seals and correctly labels.
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Notifies team leader or director when unable to replace parts or equipment, deficiency in work area.
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Assures weight limit of trays is not exceeded (max 25 lbs).
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Determines the correct methods of sterilization and exposure requirements.
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Maintains and assures accuracy of biological lot control and traceability records for all items sterilized.
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Reads machine cycle printouts for proper cycle parameters. Initials and records required information and notifies team leader or director of questionable operation or failure.
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Places items correctly on sterilizer racks and operates sterilizers.
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Puts sterilized items away or returns to correct department.
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Performs sterilizer function tests and biological monitoring. Reports inaccuracies to the team leader or director.
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Cleans sterilizer chambers, drains and carts.
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Follows standardized procedures for inspection and handling of sterile goods to maintain package integrity and contents sterility.
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Rotates stock to allow for “first in, first out” method of stock rotations.
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Checks in and puts away supplies from outside vendors. Takes pictures of all loaner or borrowed sets.
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Labels peel packs or wrapped items with name of instrument and specialty after placing indicator within packaging.
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Inspects integrity of peels packs. Breaks down any with compromised packaging.
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Verifies indicators have turned color.
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Follows infection control safety guidelines to control the spread of pathogens.
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Follow safety guidelines for Hydrogen peroxide, steam, Rapicide, fire and hazardous substances as determined by regulating agencies and LRH.
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Is aware that failure to conform to safety policies may cause injury to self, other personnel, patients and visitors.
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Avoid shortcuts in procedures with the knowledge that doing so may have adverse effects on patients.
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Reports equipment/instruments/machines in need of repair.
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Communicates effectively promoting efficiency, safety and good relations with other departments and services related to patient care.
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Exercises discretion and follows established policies in dealing with patient information.
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Monitors work in progress and provides direction and guidance as required.
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Handles minor departmental problems without need to consult with the manager.
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Assures proper use of prescribed methods and procedures and verifies conformity to standard of sterilization aseptic technique and safety.
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Maintains adequate supplies of procedure trays, kits, instruments and linens are on hand at all times.
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Assists with training of new employees and contributes to instruction of new procedures.
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Completes mandatory inservices and competencies annually.
