Central Sterile Technician

Full-time and PRN openings

Job Summary:

Gritman Medical Center is seeking a dedicated Central Sterile Technician to join our team. Under general supervision, the CS Tech performs routine central processing tasks of moderate difficulty. The ideal candidate demonstrates a good knowledge of aseptic and sterile techniques and is knowledgeable in the reprocessing of instruments and equipment. This role involves understanding the use and maintenance of sterilizers, washer sterilizers, V-Pro, and Endoscope Reprocessors (AER) located in the Central Processing area and in the Surgery department.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality & Service:

• Instrument Processing: Process all contaminated instruments and endoscopes according to recommended standards.
• Daily Checks: Check and record daily room temperatures and humidity; report any discrepancies to engineering and the department director.
• Equipment Rounds: Make rounds of departments (e.g., OB, ER) to retrieve instruments/trays for reprocessing.
• Sterilization Preparation: Use knowledge of sterilization principles to correctly wrap or package items for sterilization.
• Tray Assembly: Perform tray assembly, ensuring count lists are correct; sign and attach count sheets to the outside of trays.
• Weekend Coverage: Cover weekend call as scheduled.

Technology:

• Sterilization Units Maintenance: Ensure proper operation of sterilization units daily, inspecting for visible signs of malfunction and notifying BioMed if issues are found.
• Testing: Run biological and chemical tests at the beginning of each day shift; record results in the appropriate log.

People:

• Aseptic Technique: Apply aseptic techniques in all daily work assignments.

Finance:

• Supply Rotation: Rotate sterile supplies, ensuring processing dates are managed from oldest to newest.
• Inventory Control: Responsible for inventory control in Central Processing, including ordering supplies and participating in yearly or additional inventories as needed.
• Resource Management: Use supplies economically and assist in identifying worn or damaged equipment.

Performance Improvement:

• Professional Development: Maintain current knowledge of professional techniques and practices; actively participate in unit meetings and educational programs.
• Policy Adherence: Review MSDS books and all hospital/department policies and procedures; maintain regulatory requirements.
• Timeliness: Report to work on time and as scheduled; complete work in a timely fashion.

Age-Specific Criteria:

• Knowledge Application: Understand and apply age-specific criteria regarding instrumentation and equipment.

Qualifications:

• Required Education: none

• Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

• Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Experience: Previous Central Processing experience preferred but not required.

• Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of aseptic and sterile techniques.

• Ability to prioritize tasks and process information accurately.

• Strong attention to detail.

Physical Demands:

• May be required to sit and/or walk up to ten hours per day.
• Ability to lift equipment, supplies, and bags of trash or laundry weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Required to push/pull full carts, including laundry bins and cleaning equipment.
• Ability to kneel, stoop, stand, and walk continuously throughout the day.
• Vision and hearing must be compensated to a level that meets all essential functions of the job.

Work Environment:

• Work is of medium physical demand with high attention and mental demands.
• Exposure to sterilization chemicals and equipment.
• May involve handling biomedical and pharmaceutical waste streams.

Organizational Expectations:

• Provide a positive and professional representation of the organization.
• Promote a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention.
• Maintain hospital standards for a clean and quiet environment.
• Comply with organizational and regulatory policies for handling confidential information.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service through attitude and actions, consistent with "The Gritman Way" standards.
• Participate in ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Maintain competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments related to the job role.
• Comply with the organization's policies, established practices, protocols, and professional standards.