Job Title:  Sterile Processing Technician Lead

Position Summary

To provide on-site support, training, and communication regarding the reprocessing of surgical instruments and trays to contracted facilities in compliance with the Department of Health, TJC, OSHA, CDC, AAMI and AORN standards and facilities goals and policies. Provides clinical operations support to customer facility pertaining to contracted management service and assists Manager, Sterile Processing to lead daily operations in the Sterile Processing Department.

Duties

• Supports daily operations and works proficiently in all activities that relate to the reprocessing of reusable medical supplies and instrumentation including decontamination, cleaning, assembly, wrapping, sterilization, and storage processes aligned within IPS professional standards and regulations.
• Assists Sterile Processing Supervisor with ensuring proper operational procedures are followed and completes required documentation/reporting.
• Assists and collaborates with Sterile Processing Supervisor on new employee orientation, on-the-job training, in-service education and STERIS or facility quality assurance programs.
• Responsible for directing and communicating department workflow and Technician work assignments.
• Reports and troubleshoots broken or missing instrumentation and equipment and communicates low par levels of SPD consumable supplies.
• Identifies and leads process improvement initiatives.
• Responsible for management of pegboard inventory.
• Answers and responds to calls from the operating room and other end-users during assigned shift.
• Ensures navigator assignments are completed or assigned.
• Coordinates and prioritizes surgical needs to ensure timely delivery of sterilized instruments to customers or appropriate storage location.
• Escalates facility/department issues or concerns to ensure proper resolution.
• Supports development and training of Sterile Processing Technicians.
• Supports and adheres to STERIS, facility and regulatory policies and procedures.
• Refers all decisions beyond personal scope of responsibilities to their Manager and or STERIS leadership if necessary.

Duties - cont'd

•  Awareness of LEAN concepts and ability to translate this in the work environment preferred.
•  Communicates in a professional and effective manner to all hospital staff, Customers and company employees via all forms of communication.
•  Basic computer skills and aptitude.
•  Detailed understanding of instruments and department equipment including special/complex set components.
•  Proven ability to act as a resource for staff in both SPD and operating room regarding identification and assembly of specialty instrument trays.
•  Acts with integrity and maintains professionalism.
•   Ability to complete complex tasks based on applied knowledge under minimal supervision.
•  Ability to anticipate customer needs and demonstrate customer service.
•  Ability to interpret data and metrics.
•  Ability to work daily in a fast-paced, high pressure Healthcare Service environment.
•  Ability to understand and follow standard work/procedures.
• Understands complex technical jargon within department.
• Must be a team player and demonstrate flexibility to work in all areas of the department to meet production demands.

Education Degree

Required Experience

• A high school diploma or equivalent required. Completion of a Sterile Processing/Surgical Technologist program preferred.
• 3+ years of SPD experience with demonstrated proficiency in all SPD Technician responsibilities, including a solid proficiency and ability to work independently with all tray sets.
• CRCST or CSPDT certification is required. Must also obtain CIS, CER/CFER, or STERIS Assessment certification within 6 months of hire.
  a. Both certifications must be maintained annually.
  b. Must maintain certification by completing 12 Continuing Education Credit Hours each year.
• Able to perform all job requirements of a Technician I, II and III.
• Satisfactory performance, validation of skill level and ability to lead others in daily tasks and work flow required. Productivity, quality and attendance must meet company standards.

Computer Skills

• Basic computer skills and aptitude.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• CRCST Certification and additional certification (CIS, CHL, FCS and/or Endo) required

Other Skills and Abilities

• Medical instrument knowledge.  Knowledge of sterilization and processing equipment. 

Other Qualifications

• Ability to work daily in a fast-paced, high pressure Healthcare Service environment.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk, see and hear.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, push and/or pull up to 300 pounds on a cart or carriage. 

Must be able to be compliant with hospital/customer credentialing requirements

Preferred Experience

• Completion of a Sterile Processing/Surgical Technologist program preferred.