Position Summary

To provide on-site leadership, training, and communication regarding the reprocessing of surgical instruments and trays to staff in compliance with departmental policies, the Department of Health, TJC, OSHA, CDC, AAMI and AORN standards. Provides operations support and assists Departmental Supervisors to lead daily operations in the Sterile Processing Department.

Responsibilities

Responsible for ensuring all procedural instrumentation is collected, cleaned, decontaminated, assembled, sterilized and/or high-level disinfected within the guidelines of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

Verifies that instruments are in open position, free form bioburden and functions properly prior to sterilization. Alerts supervisor if an instrument is in need of repair or replacement.

Follows established manufacture INSTRUCTION FOR USE (IFU) when processing instrumentation. Alert supervisor if IFU's are needed.

Maintains and monitors all required biological/chemical wash solution to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments.

Documents and maintains appropriate sterilization records in accordance with AAMI and department policy.

Sorts mismatched sets of instruments to ensure availability and completeness of instrument trays. Informs supervisor when an instrument is missing or required to complete a tray.

Demonstrates proficiency with preparing procedure case carts with appropriate instruments and supplies needed per department schedule.

Maintains a clean organized work area within the department. Adhering to OSHA standards.

Participates in departmental policies/procedures development, quality improvement projects, infection control practices, OSHA standards and MSDS awareness within the department.

Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills with all internal and external customers.

Completes all department required competencies including orientation and annual requirements.

Participates in department continued education to foster an environment of proficiency in sterile processing.

Leads and participates in in-services and educational offerings in the facility.

Promotes best demonstrated practices with co-workers through open communication and continuous improvement of skills.

Follows chain of command within hospital regarding identified problems or issues to ensure proper communication and resolution.

Maintains a professional relationship with all facility departments to ensure effective, efficient support to the patient caregivers.

Answers and responds to calls from the OR and other end-users during assigned shift.

Ensures timely delivery of sterilized instruments to appropriate storage location or end-user.

Demonstrates and ensures proper care and handling of all hospital property including instrumentation, durable medical equipment and disposable supplies.

Assists in providing timely resolution to facility issues or concerns.

Schedules daily staff assignments.

Extensive knowledge of instrumentation. Proven ability to act as a resource for staff in both SPD and OR regarding identification and assembly of specialty instrument trays.
Established ability to complete complex tasks based on applied knowledge under minimal supervision.

Demonstrated proficiency with all areas of sterile processing including decontamination, cleaning, assembly, wrapping, sterilization, and storage processes within all set professional standards and regulations.

Able to work on complex and very critical processes and react to urgent needs to ensure OR needs are met - ability to delegate to technicians appropriately.

Able to perform assembly on all instrument trays and sets with proficiency.

Possess a detailed understanding of instruments and department equipment including special/complex set components.

Ability to troubleshoot missing instrument replacements and anticipate tray needs for specials cases/unplanned cases.

Ability to provide direction and manage the workflow in the department for other technicians.

Completes documentation required by the hospital related to Standard Operating Procedures or facility policies.

Acts as a mentor/coach to Surgical Procedure and Sterile Processing Technicians and may provide on-the-spot performance related feedback, when applicable.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

3 years and certification or 5 years experience is required.

Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) certification as Technician, Surgical Instrument Specialist, Ambulatory Service Technician or Management.

Pay Range

$18.74 - $27.32

Other Information

Shift Expectations: 3:00pm-11:00pm

ECU Health

About ECU Health Medical Center

ECU Health Medical Center, one of four academic medical centers in North Carolina, is the 974-bed flagship hospital for ECU Health and serves as the primary teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health Medical Center has achieved Magnet® designation twice and provides acute and intermediate care, rehabilitation and outpatient health services to a 29-county region that is home to more than 1.4 million people.

General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.