Sterile Processing Technician / Purchaser - Full Time at Specialty Surgery Center for Women Inc – Maplewood, Minnesota

Assists the OR staff in the organization and daily function of the operating room in accordance with established Federal, State and accreditation standards and Center policies and procedures. Responsible for instrument decontamination, sterile processing, instrument care and record keeping related to those activities. Purchaser

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES/PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS include the following: The required behaviors associated with the following competencies are outlined in the Competency Assessment form.

Standard I Demonstrates competence related to the application of the Surgery Center’s core values.

Standard II Practices all facets of health & safety.

Standard III Practices human resource responsibility.

Standard IV Demonstrates competence in performance of duties and responsibilities related to tasks, skills and procedures rendered to the clients served.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience/Licenses/Certificates/Eligibility: High School diploma or GED. Central sterile or operating room experience preferred. Experience with AAMI standards preferred. Current BCLS required.

Eligibility: All employees must be able to provide proof of their identity and their right to work in the United States.

Skills/Knowledge/Ability:

Interpersonal: Average communication skills. Demonstrates a positive, friendly, and courteous manner. Demonstrates the ability to work well with other employees.

Critical Thinking: Ability to organize equipment, instruments, and supplies. Ability to adhere to the work schedule and manage time appropriately. Ability to handle stress associated with prioritizing multiple tasks. Above average organization skills.

Knowledge: Working knowledge and experience in a hospital central sterile department, operating room, or ambulatory surgery center. Knowledge of instrument names and their care and handling procedures. Sterilization and disinfection.

MACHINES, EQUIPMENT, WORK AIDES: Computer, telephone and fax. Autoclave, washer-sterilizer, ultrasonic cleaner, biological test incubator, surgical instruments, equipment, machinery and medical supplies. Must be able to lift 50lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Occasional overtime. Must handle stress in meeting time demands.

Sterile Processing

• Knowledge of sterilization procedures, aseptic technique, and maintenance and care of instruments and equipment.
• Knowledge of AAMI standards and engages in practices and procedures of sterile technique.
• Cleans and/or disinfects instruments and equipment after use and returns it to the proper storage area, in appropriate sequence, for storage and/or processing.
• Differentiates sterilization and disinfection methods required for specific instruments and equipment.
• Demonstrates ability to understand and use sterilizers, high-level disinfectors, instrument washers, and other designated processors. f. Demonstrates ability to understand use, function, interpretation, documentation, and record-keeping of chemical and biological indicators related to instrument and equipment sterilization and low, intermediate, and high-level disinfection processes.
• Completes all documentation to ensure the availability of accurate and up to date information in accordance with established standards.
• Cleans, wraps, sterilizes, and disinfects instruments and equipment and maintains the functions of the instrument processing area/department.
• Maintains area/department in an orderly/organized fashion.
• Perform weekly inventory of processing supplies and notifies appropriate personnel of order needs.
• Continues assigned daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly routines, including requirements with reports, logs and related documentation.
• Assists teammates with daily preparation for current and future facility schedules (pulling cases and assembling supplies) as assigned.
• Is available to assist all areas of facility as needed and assigned.
• Responsible for crossover duties in other areas such as purchasing supplies and inventory management in proper areas according to facility policy and management guidance.
• Demonstrates flexibility in assuming duties and responsibilities.
• Assists in room turnover when needed and as assigned.
• Adheres to established facility safety requirements and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Completes all employee/patient incident documentation in a thorough and timely manner, as required by facility policy and according to management guidance.
• Practices infection control and standard precautions as instructed or trained
• Assists with the preparation of the operating room/procedure room for surgery/procedures as directed.
• Checks updated schedule every morning and prepares rooms with supplies and equipment as assigned and directed by management. w. Performs all other duties as assigned by management.
• Schedules PM’s on instrumentation & equipment.

Purchasing

• Orders all facility medical supplies, maintains par levels of surgical supplies, instruments, equipment, and other materials.
• Receives purchase orders in facility inventory computer system.
• Performs maintenance of the Inventory Item Masters to maintain an accurate perpetual inventory system.
• Arranges for transfer of materials to meet surgery schedules
• Organizes / labels / and barcodes the supply room
• Manages defective products / recalls
• Manages medical distributor / DEDs
• Performs periodic physical inventories as assigned and according to identified schedules.
• Manages backorders and distribution requirements.
• Unpacks incoming orders and stocks the shelves throughout the center.
• Participates in educating staff on supplies / instrumentation / equipment.
• Directs flow of vendors through the Materials Department.
• Schedules vendor representatives to bring in surgical trays / supplies / and attend procedures.
• Arranges for transfer of materials to meet surgery schedules between other facilities.
• Provides financial data as requested.
• Examines materials for defects and ensures materials are satisfactory and up to the proper level of standard for usage and effectiveness.
• Recognizes safety hazards and initiates appropriate corrective and/or preventive measures.
• Responsible for completing mandatory classes & job competencies relative to job responsibilities. (OSHA and other safety related classes).
• Identifies cost containment opportunities.
• Ability to provide direction to others that is clear, concise, and promotes efficiency throughout the facility.
• Alert to detail and follow-up. Maintains accurate records and barcoding.
• Utilizes time effectively and supports other assistance as necessary.