Sterile Processing Instrument Coordinator

Position Summary:

The Sterile Processor is responsible for decontamination, cleaning, processing and sterilization of supplies and equipment dispensed by the department following infection control practices.  Must be conscientious with regard to procedures and capable of working under pressure and interacting professionally with other departments within the hospital.  Able to accept new ideas and learn position duties.  Must be able to work independently, under pressure, to complete work with speed and accuracy. 

Primary (Essential) Duties:

Instrument and Supply Preparation:

• Assembles all instrumentation including sets, individually packaged instruments and a variety of packs according to computerized pick-sheets and standard infection control practices. All missing items that can’t be replaced to sets are entered into a computerized instrument tracking system and the instrument coordinator or Assistant Director is notified

Sterilization

• Assembles wrapped, peel pouched or containerized items in preparation for sterilization.
  
• Marks all items with identifying information regarding sterilization date, sterilization method and lot number. 
  
• Sorts items by the proper sterilization method prior to sterilization.
  
• Adjusts sterilizer settings to specified time and temperature according to the type of item being sterilized.
  
• Records sterilizer test results watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure machines are working properly.
  
• Prioritizes items for sterilization by monitoring the events taking place during the shift or future shifts to ensure availability of surgical instrumentation, i.e., surgical case mix.
  
• Ensures that biological monitoring takes place on sterilizer loads that include implant devices or as required. All biological indicators and sterilizer load parameters are monitored and documented on each shift.
  
• Deals with abnormal biological indicator results according to department procedures: This includes running additional tests or initiating a recall. Appropriate placement of items on each sterilizer load is critical to proper sterilization. Independent judgment and decision making must be used to determine the appropriate placement.

Decontamination

• Disassembles, inspects, cleans and sorts all operating room equipment and surgical instrumentation. 
  
• Examines equipment to detect leaks, worn parts or other indications of disrepair.
  
• Cleans equipment using hospital-approved disinfectants, approved infection control practices and universal precautions.
  
• Sorts and cleans instrumentation by manual methods or mechanical means, taking care to assure the appropriate method is used to avoid damage.
  
• Adheres to special cleaning instructions, which are needed for some types of equipment/instruments.
  
• Responsible for mixing special detergent solutions for ultrasonic/mechanical sanitizing and lubrication of instruments.
  

Additional Related Duties

• Performs other related duties as required, such as rotating of supplies, examining sterilization/expiration dates, reporting inoperable equipment, making visual inventory inspections to maintain adequate levels of stock and supplies, tests effectiveness of autoclaves by assembling and placing Biological spore tests and total air removal tests in autoclaves.
  
• Checks all autoclaves for proper working condition and correctly dates and initials printouts
  
• Operates mechanical dryers, ultrasonic cleaners and heat sealers.
  
• Responsible for entering surgical procedures into the computer, pulling work sheets for emergency surgical cases and setting them up after hours, on weekends and holidays

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Scion Health considers a consistently positive, cooperative, self-motivated, courteous, and professional attitude to be an essential function of every position.  While different positions have different primary areas of responsibility, everyone needs to work as a team, and we expect all employees to roll up their sleeves and pitch in as necessary to get the job done.

Employees must be able to relate to other people beyond giving and receiving instructions: (a) can get along with co-workers or peers without exhibiting behavioral extremes, (b) perform work activities requiring negotiating, instructing, supervising, persuading, or speaking with others; and (c) respond appropriately to constructive feedback from a supervisor.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g., emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

Required:

• High school diploma, or GED

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the use of the Material Management computer system
• Experience preferred as sterile processor, LPN, CNA or Operating Room Tech
• Hospital experience

** This position can be learned on-the-job

** It takes approximately four (4) months to acquire basic knowledge of functions in this department.  It will take from six (6) months to a year to completely learn all job elements of this position because of the variety of tasks.