Sterile Processing Technician I

Under general supervision, with opportunity to make independent decisions upon demonstrating the knowledge and abilities, receives, sorts, disassembles, inspects, cleans, tests, disinfects, assembles, prepares, sterilizes, sorts, and stores procedure trays, instruments, equipment, and supplies according to prescribed procedures and aseptic techniques and issues disposable and non-disposable supplies, instruments, and equipment.

COVID -19 Risk Tier – High Risk

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Receives, inspects, sorts, disassembles, cleans, and disinfects individual instruments, instrument sets, and durable patient care equipment;

• Assembles and tests instruments and durable patient care equipment, except for rigid and flexible endoscopes, micro-surgical instrument sets, and powered instruments;

• Packages instruments, instrument sets, and durable patient care equipment for sterilization and/or storage in accordance with approved count sheets, except for rigid and flexible endoscopes, micro-surgical instrument sets, and powered instruments;

• Inspects instruments for defects and tags them for repair, as needed;

• Sterilizes instruments, instrument sets, and durable patient care equipment in accordance with approved infection control policies and procedures;

• Issues instruments, instrument sets, and durable patient care equipment in accordance with approved departmental policies and procedures;

• Conducts biological and chemical tests of steam, ethylene oxide, peracetic acid, and low temperature sterilizers in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the recommendations of reviewing agencies;

• Affixes load control labels to all items subjected to sterilization processes;

• Provides complete records of all items subjected to sterilization processes;

• Monitors and documents all mechanical phases of sterilization processes;

• Picks supplies, instruments, and equipment for surgical case carts in accordance with approved preference lists and issues case carts to the Surgical Services Department;

• Evaluates sterilized instruments and instrument sets to ensure that criteria for event related sterility is maintained and returns items to the Central Sterile Processing Department for reprocessing, as necessary;

• Monitors, orders, and accounts for disposable and reusable inventory items;

• Conducts rounds throughout the medical center to monitor and retrieve instruments, instrument sets, and durable patient care equipment;

• Communicates with user departments regarding special instrument, equipment, or supply requirements;

• Acts as the first point of contact for user departments regarding problems with instruments, equipment, or supplies;

• Prepares and issues emergency case carts, supplies, equipment, and instruments on demand;

• Issues medical and surgical supplies to outpatients in accordance with established accounting policies and procedures;

• Assists with maintaining a clean work environment by cleaning counters and sinks with approved cleaning and disinfecting agents and reprocessing equipment according to predetermined schedules;

• Conducts cycle counts of inventory asset locations;

• Attends scheduled departmental meetings and in-service training classes;

• Keeps lead technicians and supervisors apprised of the status of daily work processes;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience, to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a high school diploma or the equivalent

and

Certification as a Sterile Processing Technician, issued under the auspices of the California Central Service Association or The National Institute for the Certification of Health Care Sterile Processing Distribution Personnel, Certification of Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Personnel (CBSPD), International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), or Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).

OR

Possession of a high school diploma or the equivalent

and

Currently enrolled in an accredited Central Services Technician (CST) or Sterile Processing Technician course/school.

OR

Possession of a high school diploma or the equivalent

and

Successful completion of a Central Services Technician (CST) or Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) externship at the County of Santa Clara Health System.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a Sterile Processing Technician certificate, issued under the auspices of the California Central Service Association or The National Institute for the Certification of Health Care Sterile Processing Distribution Personnel, Certification of Healthcare Sterile Processing and Distribution Personnel (CBSPD), International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), or Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) within nine (9) months of appointment or vacate the position, and maintenance of such certification for the duration of employment in this classification.

• As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of infection control and aseptic technique;

• Fundamentals of microbiology;

• Basic medical terminology;

• Methods, procedures, and purposes of sterile processing and distribution;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Common computer systems and applications;

• General medical and surgical instruments, supplies, and equipment;

• Reviewing agency criteria (JCAHO and California Title XXII).

Ability to:

• Follow oral and written instructions and procedures;

• Use independent judgment;

• Keep records and prepare reports;

• Work effectively under stress in emergency situations;

• Read and understand material safety data sheets and other safety communications;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

• Stand and walk for extensive periods of time;

• Continuously bend, squat, and stoop to process required instruments, supplies, and equipment;

• Lift instrument sets that weigh up to 25 pounds;

• Demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity to process micro-surgical instruments;

• Push and pull carts that weigh up to 100 pounds;

• Have continuous, controlled exposure to gross contaminants (blood and body fluids);

• Have continuous, controlled exposure to hazardous commodities (cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing agents).