Sterile Processing Technician

Job Description

Job Summary:

• This job directs, plans, and coordinates the activities of the sterile processing department to meet patient care demands. Manages inventory levels of the Operating Room (OR) supplies, ensures proper maintenance and repair of OR equipment, and manages resources and personnel in the sterile processing department.
• Oversees productivity and quality of performance for sterile processing care team members and ensures inventory supply levels are appropriate to provide patient care functions without disruption while being at the most cost beneficial level to the organization.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads services that support the preoperative process by supervising staff, leading the daily operations of the department and communicating pertinent information.
• Manages supply, instrumentation and equipment distribution to user areas to ensure inventory levels are sufficient to meet patient care/user demands while maintaining cost.
• Performs proper handling and reporting of inventory transactions of supplies and equipment.
• Trains and develops staff while ensuring employees are motivated to achieve functional objectives.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education:

• Required – High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred – Graduation from an accepted program in surgical technology or a bachelor’s degree in surgical technology.

Experience:

• Required – 3 years of experience working with and leading teams.
• Preferred – 2 years of experience in sterile processing.
• Preferred – Experience working as a scrub tech or surgical tech in a hospital.

Certifications:

• Preferred – Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST).
• Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician (CSPDT).
• Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be self-directed, organized and goal oriented.
• Leadership and motivational skills and ability to develop employees.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment and function calmly in handling difficult situations.
• Analytical skills and ability to evaluate supply utilization and determine most effective inventory levels.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule (e.g. 24/7, weekend, holiday, on call availability) and travel throughout and between facilities.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Heavy Work – Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects.
• Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work.

Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work:

• When it requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
• When it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls.
• When the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible.