Job Summary
The Technician, Central Service performs a wide array of duties to provide sterile instrumentation and trays to the Department of Surgery and other hospital departments. Works under the direction of the Sr. Technician for Central Services or Operating Room Management.
Essential Job Functions
- Decontaminates and inspects surgical instruments
- Wears Protective Attire (PPE)- Standard Precautions
- Transports Equipment and Supplies as needed between departments
- Maintains equipment as per manufactures instructions ( eq. Checks detergent level per shift)
- Visually inspects instruments and trays to determine if pre-soaking is indicated
- Uses tongs or forceps to remove instruments from basins
- Inserts proper sized brush to clean channels of cannulated instrumentation
- Chooses proper decontamination equipment per manufactures or OneSouce Documents instructions
- Arranges instruments, trays, and basins to facilitate proper cleaning
- Selects proper cycle per manufactures or OneSouce Documents instructions
- Cleans and decontaminates reusable patient equipment
- Cleans all surfaces with approved solution
- Inspects electrical cords for fraying or other safety hazards
- Ensures component parts are returned with equipment
- Removes any damaged equipment requiring safety checks for use
- Reassembles equipment and places in proper storage area
- Assembles instrument trays
- Visually examines instruments for remaining debris
- Visually examines instruments for functionality
- Arranges instruments to allow sterilant penetration
- Ensures instrument tray in complete
- Order instruments as needed
- Tape instruments
- Wraps instrument tray or places instruments in proper sterilization container
- Uses proper size and type of sterilization wrap
- Inserts chemical indicator/integrator in tray
- Performs proper wrapping and taping technique
- Records pertinent information on autoclavable tape/form
- Places paper filter properly in sterilization container
- Affixes load sticker to wrapped tray or container
- Prepares all rerun instruments for day
- Operates sterilizers per department procedure
- Loads sterilizer rack in manner to allow sterilant penetration and moisture removal
- Records load contents on sterilizer card/form
- Places biological indicator in required sterilizer loads
- Selects proper cycle per manufactures or OneSouce Documents instructions
- Examines sterilizer printout to ensure mechanical parameters of sterilization are met
- Signs full name to sterilizer printout
- Allows adequate time for proper cooling of sterilizer contents prior to removal from chamber
- Unloads sterilizer contents and places in proper storage area
- Performs biological monitoring and recordkeeping of sterilization cycles (steam, eto, sterrad)
- Interprets and logs biological results in a timely manner
- If applicable, records information on Implantable Load Form and returns form to Department of Surgery
- Organizes all paperwork daily for end of month or other regulatory reporting
- Manually cleans case carts after use
- Places cart on hydraulic lift (where applicable by location)
- Cleans interior and exterior sections of cart with approved solution
- Transports clean carts and instruments as needed between departments.
- Conducts daily testing and completes and maintains all records for the SPD units.
- Prepares loan/consign instruments.
- Receives/documents items.
- Inspects/decontaminated instruments.
- Assembles appropriate instrumentation.
- Sterilizes/delivers to OR for use.
- Delivers additional trays and supplies to O.R.
- Performs housekeeping functions - keeps area neat and organized.
- Retrieves soiled carts/instruments following the procedures from both the OR and Labor and Delivery
- Uses proper etiquette when answering phones
- Cleans sterilizer chambers and carts as set forth in policy
- Cases
- Pick cases including add-ons
- Fill all needs on carts
- Organize case supplies and equipment for use by the OR Circulator and Technician
- Scopes
- Reprocess and store all assigned scopes as per manufactures instructions
- These will include but may not be limited to gastroscopes, colonoscopies, bronchoscopes & other flexible or ridge scopes used within the Hospital.
- Follow chain of care for communication of issues
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma, GED or next level of higher education.
- Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment.
- Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
- Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
- One (1)- three (3) years of Central Service experience.
- CRCST and/or a Surgical Technician background.
License, Certification & Clearances
- As of September 1, 2017, any new or transferred employee must currently hold or obtain within 18 months of employment one of the following certifications: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or HealthCare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
- Act 81 Compliance.
- Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
- Travel may be expected locally between Excela Health locations.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
House Bill 81 of 2019 The Central Service Technician and Surgical Technologist Regulation Act
Enacted 10/29/2020 – Effective 12/29/2020 (See attached HB for definitions for Central service technician
and Surgical technologist)
Section 302: Employment and continuing education
(a) New employees - CST has 18 months from date of hire to pass a nationally accredited central service exam for CST and obtain one of the two credentials noted above.
(b) Continuing education - Annually complete 10 hours of continuing education. (NOTE: The continuing education required under this subsection shall be in areas related to the functions of a central service technician.)
(c) Facility responsibility - Facility must maintain documentation the CST meets the certification requirements
Section 501:
Surgical Technologist (ST) must meet at least one of the following:-
Successful completion of a Surgical Technologist program sponsored by an entity holding nationally recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation and hold and maintains a ST certification from an accredited certification program. [501(1)(i)] *
OR
- Successful completion of appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force.
OR
- Provides evidence of an ST certification from an accredited certification program.
OR
- Was employed to practice surgical technology by the health care facility on or before December 29, 2020.
OR
- Was employed to practice surgical technology as the individual's primary function in another health care facility at any time during the two years immediately preceding December 29, 2020.
Section 502: Continuing education:
(a) An ST employed or contracted with the facility and not certified under section 501(1)(i) or has let the individual's certification lapse shall:
(1) with the continuing education requirements specified by the credentialing organization as necessary to keep the certification current and (2) provide proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements to the facility.
(b) Additional Requirement - An ST employed or contracted with the facility and not certified under section 501(1)(i) or has let the individual's certification lapse shall:
(1) complete 30 hours of relevant continuing education every two years in order to remain eligible to practice surgical technology; and (2) be responsible for proving, to the satisfaction of the health care facility, that the individual complies with this subsection.
(c) Verification- A facility that employs or contracts with an ST shall verify the ST meets the continuing education requirements.
Section 503. Exception. A facility may employ or contract an ST who does not meet the requirements of section 501 to practice surgical technology if:
(1) after a diligent and thorough effort has been made, the facility is unable to employ or contract with a sufficient number of qualified STs who meet the requirements of section 501; and (2) the health care facility makes a written record of its efforts under (1) and retains the record at the facility.
Work Environment
Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Operates Vehicle (company)
Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)
Respirator Protective Equipment
Head Protection (hard hat)
Paint (direct use) Exposure
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
Wax Stripper (direct use)
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Physical Demands
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Keyboard/Computer Operation
Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)
Transfer/Push/Pull Patients
Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead
Reaching Above Shoulder Level
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
