Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description:

The role of the technician is to ensure the safe handling, care, cleaning and sterilization procedures and maintained within the department. The Sterile Processing Technician performs instrument inspection, assembly and maintenance of all OR instrument, and implantable hardware. This position must take call during eve and weekend hours.

Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the Trinity Health Mission, Vision, and Values in behaviors, practices, and decisions.

Adheres to Corporate Compliance Guidelines

1. Understands and abides by HIPPA privacy and security laws and regulations.

2. Observes all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

3. Observes all Mercy Health System and applicable subsidiary policies and procedures including the Code of Conduct.

4. Observes Mercy Health System Corporate Compliance policy by reporting any concerns about compliance or business practices to his or her immediate supervisor, appropriate management, Corporate Compliance Officer or Compliance Hotline.

5. Completes compliance related education

Performance Measures • Completes annual competency on Code of Conduct, HIPAA, and mandatories related to area of practice as assigned on Health Stream Online.

Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with Hospital Safety and Infection Control policies as required by OSHA and the patient Safety Program.

1. Consistently demonstrates knowledge if universal precautions, isolation procedures, and other infection control measures.

2. Provides a safe environment for all patients, employees, and visitors.

3. Identifies safety problems encountered during the course work that if corrected may result in the prevention of accident/injury to patients, employees and visitors and reports problems to appropriate supervisor or the Patient Safety Hotline.

4. Adheres to System, Hospital and Department-specific safety programs.

• Medical / health care error reporting.

• Aware of sentinel events definition and reporting procedure.

• Completes annual patient safety fair training.

Performance Measures • Completes infection control modules as assigned on HealthSteam Online.

• Demonstrates 100% compliance with Hand Hygiene program.

• Required documentation in MIDAS is 100% accurate.

Adheres to all Mercy Health System Policies and Procedures • Fully understands and complies

• Seeks information and clarity when unsure

Performance Measures

• Complies with:

• Absenteeism Control Policy #60-06-10 and with established departmental “call-out” procedures.

• Lateness Control Policy #60-07-09 and with proper notification procedures

• Mercy Health System dress code policies

• Colleague Responsibility Policy #60-18-08 as well as all other Human Resources Policies.

• Review MHS policies and procedures, and references them accordingly when questions arise during the course of work for MHS

Decontamination Responsibilities

• Maintains and assumes responsibility for the cleaning, decontamination and distribution of durable medical equipment and sterile trays and packs

• Practices safe techniques and displays working knowledge in operation of all processing equipment including washer/sterilizers, ultrasonic and steam sterilizer, aerators and heat sealers

• Consistently adheres to decontamination infection control standards appropriate for attire, including appropriate personal protective gear (i.e.; scrubs, goggles, mask, gown, hats, shoe covers, apron over gown)

• Cleans and inspects all surgical instruments appropriately

• Prepares all surgical trays according to tray list and policy

• Demonstrates proper use of surgical containers

• Prepares for steam sterilization

• Instruments

• Basin, tray, medicine cups

• Other (linen, synthetics)

• Prepares V Pro

• Chemical/biological indicators -- purpose, placement

• Packages materials appropriately

• Linen (covered cart transport system)

• Non-woven fabrics

• Paper and plastic

• Labels appropriately

• Contents and Protect equipment

Sterilization

• Assembles non-sterile components into trays with utilization guide sheets and packs them for sterilization

• Maintains and places sterilized items in sterile storage area practicing rotation of stock to prevent expiration of items

• Assumes all appropriate documentation/record keeping is prepared for items/equipment issued

• Adheres to standard of sterilization process

• Consistently adheres to sterilization infection control standards appropriate for attire, including appropriate personal protective gear (i.e.; scrubs, hat and shoe covers)

• Operates steam, sterrad and gas sterilizer according to manufacturer's guidelines

• Maintains integrity of all sterile packs and products

Inventory Management

• Complies with departmental standards in regard to inventory process

• Fills instrument trays with appropriate instruments

• Keep appropriate personnel informed of depleted stock

• Assumes stocking responsibilities as needed

• Orders supplies and OR stock supplies as needed

• Stores supplies appropriately

• Shelf life (material, packing, handling)

• Storage & rotate stock (conditions, temperature, humidity, cleanliness, shelving)

Departmental Process

• Adheres to infection control standards specific to patient care

• Responsible for learning policies and procedure and communicates to others

• Prioritizes and organizes work assignment and adjusts priorities based on changing situations

• Completes work within a predetermined time frame

• Promotes and maintains a safe, clean and orderly environment

• Refers ethical concerns to appropriate resources

• Communicates effectively with OR staff for delivery of instruments for care

• Function as a preceptor when necessary

• Demonstrates attributes necessary to function as a team member

• Recognizes roles of non-RN staff based on Hospital policy and State Board regulations

Safety

• Utilizes good body mechanics when lifting, pushing or pulling patients or objects

• Able to locate and demonstrate appropriate use of safety equipment:

• Gloves -- latex and latex free

• Masks / eye shields

• Gowns

• Demonstrates ability to process instrumentation safely

• Demonstrates safety precautions when wrapping instrument trays

• Demonstrates safety precautions when handling instruments

• Follows proper procedures when operating SPD equipment

• Reports all employee injuries (i.e. needlesticks) to supervisor and employee health promptly

• Performs appropriate monitoring, documentation and reporting procedures for quality assurance

Case Cart Maintenance

• Prepares Case Carts with instruments and supplies using pick list

• Confers with OR personnel as to schedule and changes to the daily schedule

• Prepares emergency Case Carts as directed

• Maintains inventory for implants, tissue and tendons

• Prepares Case Carts with specialty instrument preferred by physician

• Responsible to put away supplies and trays in Case Cart Room

• Communicate with OR tray assembly personnel for Case Cart needs

Communication

• Identifies self and department when answering the phone, utilizing departmental key words/ phases; refers issues to the appropriate staff

• Communicates effectively with other departments

• Reports to supervisor or manager any unusual or significant department activity

• Answers incoming calls and takes necessary action

Emergency Response

• Functions calmly and efficiently in an emergency situation

• Retrieves sterile instruments and supplies as requested

• Obtains additional supplies requested by code team if needed

Cross Training

• Responsible to train SPD personnel as relief

• Display working knowledge of all SPD positions

Other duties as needed and assigned by the manager.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

EOE including disability/veteran