Lead Sterile Processing Technician
Duke University
- Durham, NC
- Permanent
- Full-time
- 7am - 3:30om
- 3pm - 11:30pm
- 11pm - 7:30am
- 7am - 7:30pm
- Assists the operating room staff in preparing the O.R. suite for surgery by assisting in instrument preparation.
- Works cooperatively with OR and Central Sterile to jointly resolve issues or develop better services for surgical implementation.
- Supports staff by ensuring communication with Central Sterile and OR staff helps ensure all instruments are available for surgery.
- Must be able to resolve issues or offer alternatives when necessary.
- Facilitates action required to obtain additional instruments during surgery
- Verifies that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for next-day, call or weekend cases.
- Addresses issues in communication/procedures by proactively reviewing OR schedule and suggesting modifications to ensure clear and precise communication and actions with all affected departments.
- Responds to problem calls from OR.
- Transports sterilized instrumentation to the O.R. area as needed.
- Documents and sends broken instrumentation out for repair.
- Completes documentation as required for instrument sets, etc (Case Cart, Post Case, and Tray Audits).
- Responds to problem calls from OR
- Meets with and works with OR staff and surgeons as required.
- Assists in prioritizing processing of instruments and equipment for surgical procedures to facilitate turnover of cases.
- Anticipates instrument needs for following day and assures sterile processing completion.
- May assist the operating room staff in preparing the O.R. suite for surgery by assisting in instrument preparation.
- Acts as HLD Specialist. Performs/assists with daily quality testing on equipment in SPD.
- Assists supervisor in day-to-day activities to include answering phones and daily staff assignment sheet.
- Communicates closely with staff members concerning instrument requirements and availability.
- Verifies that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for next-day, call or weekend cases.
- Documents broken instrumentation. Completes documentation as required for instrument sets, etc (Case Cart, Post Case, and Tray Audits). May assist in sending broken equipment out for repair.
- Manages needs list for tray inventory
- Makes sure bio's are processed and ready in a timely manner
- Verify sterilization documentation for accuracy.
- Track and monitor IUSS loads and documentation.
- Track and monitor tray errors.
- Check in vendor trays for the next day cases.
- Aids with exporting Quality Events for reporting.
- Maintains SPM tracking system which includes by not limited to: updates instrumentation, create new products, update count sheets.
- Aids in completing in services for new products or processes.
- Aids in locating trays to place new inventory received.
- Liaison between the Clinic Leads and Sterile Processing to ensure instrument inventory is accurate
- Orients and mentors new staff.
- Shares knowledge with co-workers through open communication and continuous upgrading of skills.
- Conducts random audits on trays assembled by new staff.
- Conducts first stage re-education with techs on tray errors.
- Performs real time in-services with SPD staff.
- Performs Sterile Processing Technician job responsibilities when needed.
- Serves as a resource by guiding new and current team members to appropriate. resource materials.
- Assist with annual competency checklist.
- Provides a safe environment for patients and staff through identifying/ correcting/reporting health and safety hazards.
- Performs special projects.
- May assist Supervisor with department supply orders to include participating in facilitating timely ordering of instrumentation, supplies and implants.
- Willingly accepts assignments and performs effectively on a daily basis. Always communicates in a professional manner.
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the application/use of instrumentation.
- Follows standard precautions using PPE as required.
- Serves as a professional role model to staff.
- Provides positive leadership.
- Applies and enforces regulations, standards, and hospital policy and procedures pertaining to all areas of sterile processing.
- Maintains knowledge of operation of all equipment in sterile processing and reports malfunctions to appropriate personnel immediately.
- Responds in a timely manner via phone, text and email as needed and performs needed follow up.
- Functions in SPD duties on an as needed bases, including but not limited to assembly, sterilization, and decontamination of instrument trays for ORs.
- May cover areas in Supervisor's absence.
- Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Employees hired into this job code before 2/18/19 are not required to have high school diploma or equivalent
- 2 years as a Sterile Processing Technician required.
- Certification required as CSPDT (CBSPD) or CRCST (HSPA).
- Additional certification preferred in at least one of the areas below: Sterile Processing Management - C.S.P.M or Healthcare Leadership - CHL
- Sterile Processing Department Technician - C.S.P.D.T or Registered Central Service Technician - CRCST
- Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist - C.S.I.S or Instrument Specialist - CIS
- Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (GI Scope) - C.F.E.R or Endoscope Reprocessor - CER
- Knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology.
- Knowledge and understanding of a variety of OR procedures' surgical instruments including working parts and proper inspection.
- Aptitude for troubleshooting in a high-paced environment.