Surgical Technologist/Sterile Processing Technician chez Clarke County Hospital

The Surgery Technologist is required to have professional training for this position. Prepares the operating room for the arrival of surgical patients.  Uses aseptic technique to arrange instruments and supplies and assists the surgeon throughout the operation by providing sterile instruments and supplies.

The Sterile Processing Technician, also referred to as Sterile Processing or CSS (central sterile supply) Technician sterilizes and prepares surgical tools, instruments and equipment. The technician follows precise guidelines for sterilization prior to each use in the Operating Room assuring that thorough decontamination of the medical equipment has successfully taken place prior to each use. The technician is also responsible for preparing instruments for use and maintaining necessary supply levels in sterile storage areas. It is desirable that this position be certified.

Key Accountability

• Decontaminates and sterilizes instruments, medical supplies and equipment, and assembles, wraps and sterilizes trays of instruments. Follows proper Standard Precautions while in decontamination and sterilization areas.
• Monitors biological and chemical wash solution to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments and medical equipment.
• Restocks, labels, and maintains inventory, submits requisitions, collects and distributes instruments, and facility medical equipment.
• Performs environmental maintenance duties and assists in maintaining inventory levels in sterile processing, the operating room, and in equipment storage areas.
• Verifies that equipment functions properly, requisitions for equipment maintenance, repair or replacement, and removes defective equipment.
• Maintains a clean work area.
• Assists with maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, and environmental and infection control standards.
• Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills.
• Decontaminates and sterilizes endo scopes after each use.
• Maintains regular and consistent attendance at work.
• Utilizes a holistic approach (considering physical, psychosocial, spiritual, educational, safety, and related criteria) appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned service area.
• Demonstrates the ability to consistently meet the department work schedule.
• Consistently delivers high quality care demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required on assigned unit in accordance with established policies and procedures and standards of care.
• Demonstrates initiative to improve quality and customer service.
• Balance team and individual responsibilities, objective and open to other’s views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to positive team goals, puts success of team above own interest.

Key Accountability

• Participates in nursing process under supervision of RN.
• Completes documentation to assure an accurate record of patient’s care.
• Utilizes critical thinking and maintains responsibility for the knowledge relating to surgical technology.
• Coordinates activities with registered nurses and other coworkers in planning and implementing care within hospital policy and legal limitations.
• Consults with management or clinical nurse when appropriate.
• Prepares the operating room for the arrival of surgical patients; assembles equipment, supplies, and instruments for surgical procedures according to the preference cards and type of procedure.
• Assist the circulating nurse with patient care activities including transporting patient, surgical scrub prep, positioning, and application of cautery ground pad and tourniquet cuff. Performs urinary catheterizations under supervision of circulating nurse.
• Responsible for maintaining the integrity, safety, and efficiency of the sterile field. Uses aseptic technique to arrange instruments and supplies and assists the surgeon throughout the operation by providing sterile instruments and supplies.  Performs instrument, sponge, and needle counts.
• Assumes responsibility of maintaining current professional and clinical expertise.
• Performs inventory checks and orders appropriate level of supplies. Assures proper functioning of equipment and instruments.
• Demonstrates correct technique in instrument, suture, specimen and medication handling.
• Utilizes a holistic approach (considering physical, psychosocial, spiritual, educational, safety, and related criteria) appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned service area.

Basic Clarke County Hospital (CCH) Performance Criteria     

• Demonstrates Clarke County Hospital Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to hospital policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, DIA, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff.  Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Qualifications

Education: Graduate of approved surgical technology course. Preferred: Sterile processing certification.

Experience: Excellent writing and speaking communication skills. Excellent organizational skills. Demonstrates a high level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to learn basic computer skills. Previous clinical experience preferred.

License(s)/Certification(s):

• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
• Completion of an approved technician training course in CSS processing
• Certified by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing within one year of employment.
• Certification by the Association of Surgical Technologists within one year of employment.
• Maintain current BLS certificate

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Writes, reads, and speaks fluent English. Preferred: Knows EPIC.

Shifts & Schedules: M-F; Days; 6:30a-3:00p - Some variable. 32-40 hours per week.

No on-call, holidays and weekends.