Sr. Instrument Processing Tech

Job Description

Supervision:

In the absence of leadership Senior Tech has the responsibility to direct staff and operations of sterile processing including:

• Decontamination, assembly, sterilization, case cart prep, and supply procurement.
• Consistently monitors work flow in each assignment area, and makes adjustments as warranted.
• Priorities turnover and priority need trays for same day
• Operating room procedures.
• Oversees staff schedules in conjunction with supervisor and continually monitors to ensure adequate resources are maintained.
• Provides input to manager/supervisor on evaluations.
• Acts as department preceptor of new-hires, signs off on progression in all areas of department.
• Resource to staff navigating Instrument Tracking system.
• Champion of QI activities that require staff continuing education.
• OR liaison when immediate resolutions to service gaps are identified.
• Understands (HLD) High Level Disinfection requirements, able to step in for Infection Control, Accreditation, and SPD monthly HLD rounds of ancillary areas.
• Directs Clinical Engineering on critical and non-critical equipment repairs, tracks work orders, and documents resolution.

Decontamination:

• Can perform and verbally articulate all task performed and all equipment used in the Decontamination area.
• Scanning all items to Decon Receive.
• Inspecting trays for sharps, filing an incident report if sharps are found and reporting to the supervisor and OR.
• Placing biohazardous waste in the proper container.
• Appropriately tagging all broken items, appropriately tagging all loaner items and cleaning them together.
• Scanning trays to Decon Clean.
• Properly inspecting, opening, disassembling, and manually cleaning each item.
• Properly using and troubleshooting all washer disinfectors, ultrasonics, cart washer dryer, scope machines, computers, and inventory control systems, etc.
• Restock area.

Assembly:

• Can perform and verbally articulate all task performed and all equipment used in the Assembly area.
• Scanning all items to Assembly Receive.
• Inspecting trays for sharps, filing an incident report if sharps are found and reporting to the supervisor and OR.
• Returning any unclean items to Decon through the instrument washer conveyor belt system, appropriately tagging all broken items and giving them to the instrument coordinator.
• Preparing all loaner sets together.
• Scanning trays to Assembly before preparation.
• Properly inspecting, opening, disassembling, and checking the functionality of each item.
• Properly using and troubleshooting all washer disinfectors, ultrasonics, cart washer dryer, scope machines, heat sealers, printers, label makers, computers, inventory control systems, etc.
• Restock area.

Sterilizers:

• Can perform and verbally articulate all task performed and all equipment used in the Sterilizer areas.
• Properly loading and unloading sterilizer racks and carriers, inspecting all items for integrity and proper labeling prior to sterilization.
• Scanning all items to the appropriate sterilizer, cycle, and container.
• Properly using and troubleshooting any issues with the printers, label makers, computers, inventory control systems, sterilizers, items from the load, or biologicals, etc.
• Knowledgeable in the use of biologicals and DART Test.
• Sterilizing all loaner sets together based on the cases they belong to and weight requirements.
• Properly documenting all sterilizer records, appropriately releasing items based on the correct temperature and biological readings.
• Restock area.

Perioperative Inventory Control Center (PICC):

• Can perform and verbally articulate all task performed and all equipment used in the PICC area.
• Inspecting all items for integrity and proper labeling prior to moving from any area.
• Scanning all items to the appropriate case cart, room, department, or hospital.
• Able to operate the elevators and dumbwaiter.
• Able to properly use different kinds of case carts and recognize any issues needing repair.
• Able to properly use and troubleshoot all printers, computers, inventory control systems, etc.
• Able to communicate with the OR to address patient needs.
• Able to properly read and navigate inventory control systems and EPIC.
• Knowledgeable of when and how to use the courier system.

Training & Standards:

• Must maintain CRCST certification, plus one of the following (CIS, CER, or CHL).
• Must be able to direct and train staff when critical decisions goes beyond the standard work of each area.
• Attend at least two IAHCSMM approved meetings, seminars, or conferences outside of work within a year virtual or in-person.
• Present Quality Assurance/Improvement project to SPD, utilizing data, lean concept or best practice procedures.
• Must be well versed in regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.

Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED, minimum required. Certifications CRCST, CIS, CER or CHL, minimum required.

Years of Experience: Three to five years minimum required.

Required Skills and Knowledge: It is required that the candidate be a Certified Registered Central Service Technician who is proficient in all areas of the department, as well as with Epic, Inventory Control Systems, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.

Licenses and Certifications: Required Minimum 2 Licensure/Certification: Certified Registered Central Service Technician, Certified Instrument Specialist, Certified Endoscope Reprocessor, or Certified Healthcare Leadership (IAHCSMM)