Central Sterile Technician Certified

At Legacy, our mission is to make life better for our patients, our community and each other. As a Certified Central Sterile Technician, you carry that mission with pride, providing a sterile, clean and safe environment for the best possible medical/surgical care.

As you build your legacy with our healthcare community, your attention to detail and concern for the well-being of our patients will have a large impact. Not only will you ensure the proper sterilization of instruments and equipment, you will also help to facilitate change by recommending areas for improvement, expanding your knowledge of the Sterile Technician’s role and sharing your expertise with new staff members.

Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center is Southwest Washington’s most modern hospital, offering the latest technology in a setting designed for comfort and care for the whole family. We feature innovations in joint replacement, robotic surgery, pelvic health for women, cancer care, intensive care for newborns, neurosurgery, medical care for children and more.

Instruments and equipment are properly decontaminated for safe handling.

Wears proper protective attire.

Operates decontamination equipment in a safe and appropriate manner.

Decontaminates instruments and equipment according to procedure.

Evaluates the load for proper handling of delicate and specialty instruments and equipment.

Instruments are assembled and packaged for sterilization according to procedure.

Ensures instruments are clean, in proper working order, and complete.

Resets instrument sets without error.

Processes specialty and general instruments.

Ensures instrumentation/equipment is stored in the proper location.

Cleans instrument supply shelves.

Communicates instrument repair needs to supervisor.

Anticipates instrument needs for Operating Room and other areas of the hospital.

Sterilization/Processing equipment is monitored for proper functioning and required documentation records are maintained.

Operates and maintains Sterilizers in a safe and appropriate manner according to manufacturer’s specifications. Processes may include, but are not limited to:

Steam sterilization

Gas sterilization

STERRAD sterilization

Ultrasound cleaning

Steris sterilization

Assures sterilization parameters are met and practices good aseptic technique.

Documents and maintains accurate sterilization records.

Reports any equipment problems to supervisor and/or maintenance contract personnel.

Computer is operated properly and safely.

Retrieves and prints information from database for add-on surgeries.

Case carts, house-wide procedure carts, and/or instrument drawers are assembled accurately and in a timely manner to ensure instruments, supplies, and equipment are available for Surgery.

Accurately assembles supplies, instruments, and equipment for surgical cases.

Disassembles case carts and returns supplies and instruments to proper locations.

May be required to recognize incorrect pick tickets while checking the surgery schedule and communicate discrepancies to the Central Sterile Specialist.

Routine and non-routine requests for materials, supplies, instruments, and equipment are responded to.

Recommends improvements in storage, distribution, or work flow for easier identifications or retrieval of instruments and supplies.

Issues and documents correct supplies or instruments and ensures the same are suitable for use.

Maintains an adequate supply of sterile packs and supplies to meet area needs, using par levels as reorder points.

Communicates immediate supply needs to supervisor.

May assist in delivery of biopsy material to the appropriate Labs.

Department quality-management indicators are recorded and maintained.

Performs biological and chemical monitoring in accordance with quality improvement standards.

Communicates growth in biological indicators and takes appropriate action according to procedures.

Integrates principles of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) action plans into daily practice through effective problem solving and utilization of resources.

Professional growth and development of self and others is promoted.

Participates in activities to constructively facilitate change.

Keeps abreast of recent changes to central processing and hospital/system standards by reading transmittals/communications within a month of distribution.

Develops and implements a plan for meeting own learning needs.

Assists in the orientation of new staff.

Attends and documents job-related in-services/conferences.

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience:

Two years (full time equivalent) central sterile experience strongly preferred.

Skills:

Understanding of the principles and methods of sterilization

Understanding of the importance of infection control and good aseptic techniques

Understanding of the importance of documentation

Thorough knowledge of instruments and scopes

Excellent verbal communication skills and telephone etiquette

Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.

LEGACY’S VALUES IN ACTION:

Follows guidelines set forth in Legacy’s Values in Action

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled

Central Service Certification (by IAHCSMM or CBSPD) required