JOB TITLE: Sterile Processing Technician (SPD Tech)
REPORTS TO: Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Administrator
JOB SUMMARY
The Sterile Processing Technician (SPD Tech) is responsible for the safe and effective decontamination, cleaning, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments, equipment, and patient-use items. The SPD Tech supports surgical services by ensuring instruments and supplies are processed according to policies, manufacturers' Instructions for Use (IFUs), and established infection-prevention and sterilization practices.
The SPD Tech works collaboratively with the Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Administrator, Circulating RNs, Surgical Technicians, Materials, Infection Prevention personnel, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team to maintain instrument readiness and support safe, efficient patient care.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
High School diploma or equivalent preferred. Certification within two years of hire is preferred.
EXPERIENCE
Previous sterile processing, surgical services, or related healthcare experience preferred.
SKILLS
- Must possess a high degree of confidentiality in all matters with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
- Must have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with staff and public in a friendly, courteous and helpful manner.
- Knowledge of decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, instrument inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution principles.
- Ability to understand and follow manufacturers' Instructions for Use (IFUs), CRH/Center policies, instrument count sheets, procedure cards, and established sterile-processing procedures.
- Knowledge of sterilization monitoring, including mechanical, chemical, and biological indicators and required documentation.
- Ability to safely operate sterile-processing equipment after appropriate training and competency validation.
- Ability to recognize and report instruments, equipment, sterilization, infection-prevention, and safety concerns.
- Strong attention to detail, organization, timeliness, dependability, and ability to follow established processes with the ability to multi-task.
- Effective computer and keyboarding skills.
- Must have ability to learn and use Microsoft Office Suite products including Word and Outlook.
- Ability to learn new computer software applications.
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
BLS (AHA)
Sterile processing certification (CRCST, CSPDT, or equivalent) preferred.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Perform decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and patient-use items according to policies and applicable manufacturers' Instructions for Use (IFUs).
- Operate sterilizers, ultrasonic cleaners, washers, biological readers, and other sterile-processing equipment only after appropriate training and competency validation.
- Follow required decontamination procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling contaminated instruments, equipment, and supplies.
- Inspect instruments for cleanliness, function, integrity, alignment, damage, and completeness before assembly and sterilization and remove defective items from service as appropriate.
- Use approved instrument count sheets, procedure cards, and other established references to assemble instrument sets accurately and consistently.
- Select and use appropriate packaging systems, including sterilization wrap, rigid containers, and peel pouches, according to device and packaging-system IFUs.
- Perform and document required sterilizer monitoring, including mechanical, chemical, and biological monitoring, in accordance with policies and applicable IFUs.
- Complete and maintain required documentation for sterilization cycles, biological testing, equipment checks, load records, and other sterile-processing activities.
- Ensure appropriate identification, labeling, traceability, and documentation of sterilized items and loads according to Center processes.
- Perform required daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and maintenance activities for sterile-processing areas and equipment according to policies and manufacturers' IFUs.
- Monitor processed items for package integrity, appropriate storage, event-related sterility concerns, and rotation of inventory.
- Assist with cleaning and high-level disinfection or processing of endoscopy equipment when assigned, appropriately trained, competency-validated, and consistent with device-specific IFUs and policy.
- Assist with tracking instruments, loaner and rental trays, and specialty instrumentation and carefully inspect items before and after use.
- Coordinate with Materials regarding PAR levels, supply needs, implants, and other items required to support surgical procedures.
- Complete rounds and ensure processed instruments and supplies are available and appropriately restocked in designated patient-care areas.
- Identify and promptly report sterilization failures, positive biological indicators, equipment malfunctions, damaged instruments, missing instruments, process deviations, or other concerns to the Clinical Supervisor and/or Clinical Administrator.
- Follow established processes for recalling sterilized items or loads when indicated and assist with investigation and documentation as directed.
- Maintain physical separation and appropriate workflow between decontamination and clean/sterile processing areas and follow established traffic and environmental controls.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
- Follow infection-prevention, bloodborne-pathogen, chemical-safety, sharps-safety, hazardous-material, and personal protective equipment requirements.
- Participate in orientation, competency validation, staff education, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), infection prevention, safety, emergency preparedness, meetings, and other Center activities as assigned.
- Promote professional communication, teamwork, accuracy, accountability, and responsible stewardship of instruments, equipment, and Center resources.
- Perform other sterile-processing responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor or Clinical Administrator and appropriate to the individual's education, training, certification, competency, and assigned responsibilities.
