Material Processing Tech

Material Processing tech 7520 Central Sterile Supply **Schedule:** Daytime Hours, Monday-Friday (some flexibility required contingent upon surgery schedule) **About the Position** The material processing technician is responsible for ensuring the proper cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance of medical instruments and equipment used in the healthcare settings. 1.    **Decontamination**: Cleaning and disinfecting instruments and medical devices after use, ensuring they are free of contaminants and safe for future use. 2.    **Sterilization**: Operating sterilization equipment, such as autoclaves, to ensure instruments are properly sanitized according to health and safety standards. 3.    **Inspection and Testing**: Checking instruments for cleanliness, functionality, and any signs of wear or damage. Testing sterilization equipment and maintaining records to ensure compliance with regulations. 4.    **Organization and Inventory Management**: Sorting, packaging, and labeling instruments for storage or future use, keeping an accurate inventory of equipment and supplies. 5.    **Compliance**: Adhering to all infection control policies, safety regulations, and healthcare standards to ensure the highest level of patient safety and care. 6.    **Team Collaboration**: Working closely with surgical teams, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that all necessary equipment is available and ready for use in a timely manner. The material processing technician must have strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Training is provided during the technicians’ orientation period. Certification is recommended, but not required. **Overview of Responsibilities** * Promote Mission Statement and KSBs. * Knowledge of surgical instruments and procedures. * Prioritization, organizational, and communication skills are necessary. * Must stay current and knowledgeable regarding infection control, OSHA standards, NIAHO standards, and general AAMI and AORN recommendations. * Successful completion of on-the-job training with Surgical Services and Reid Health. * Knowledge of aseptic technique. * Knowledge of medical supplies, equipment, and medications. * Must be self-motivated and able to work under minimal supervision. * Must be able to file assorted items. * Must be able to assist with lifting, turning, and positioning of patients. * Must be able to stand, bend, push, pull, and walk to move assorted heavy equipment. * Must be flexible and diverse to function in a technologically complex environment. * Must be able to plan work activities, think ahead, and be able to work quickly and efficiently under pressure and stress. * Receives instruments, scopes, and other equipment and checks for readiness, sterility/non-sterility, and completeness. * Aids in ensuring efficient and productive utilization of the operating suite. * Sterilizes according to accepted recommendations via steam sterilization, low temperature chemical sterilization, or high-level disinfection while maintaining standards of care as deemed appropriate. * Facilitates on-time starts, case turnovers, and accuracy of case preparation. * Monitors operation of all sterilizers. Responsible to communicate problems to Sterile Processing Manager and Clinical Coordinator. * Coordinates activities for maintaining surgical instruments and equipment. Assists in maintaining equipment repair logs and develops an equipment database. * Provides follow-up for routine surgical supply orders and back orders. Works closely with the Perioperative Materials Manager to coordinate special order items and equipment. * Runs appropriate checks on sterilization equipment and keeps logs as appropriate. * Reports malfunctioning, broken, or missing instruments/equipment to team members. * Communicates follow-up expectations to all appropriate personnel. * Attends all required safety and training programs and can describe his or her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards. * Follows the Department and Reid Health exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens. * Performs according to established departmental and hospital policies/procedures utilizing strict adherence to aseptic technique principles. * Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment. * Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter- and intradepartmental to facilitate the department’s/unit’s ability to meet its goals and objectives. * Can immediately locate: Crash cart and defibrillator; Malignant Hyperthermia cart/kit. * Can demonstrate role in the Hazardous Materials and Waste Program, including procedures to follow in case of a spill. * Complete HealthStream requirements as assigned. This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary. **Education & Experience** * Education Required: High School diploma or GED (Effective December 2024; employees hired prior to this requirement being added are grandfathered with education being preferred) * Experience Preferred: At least 1 year of experience/knowledge inside of surgical environment **Licensure and Certification:** * Preferred Certified Registered Central Service Technician through HSPA or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician through CBSPD