Job Description

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care \xe2\x80\x93 a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It\xe2\x80\x99s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient\xe2\x80\x99s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.Job Summary: Location: Methodist Women\'s Hospital
Address: 707 N. 190th Plaza - Elkhorn, NE
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 2:00 PM - 10:30 PM (8-hour shifts) OR 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM (10-hour shifts with variable day off); Rotating Weekends, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM; Rotating Holidays, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMSterilization Technicians play an essential role in patient safety by sorting, assembling, sterilizing and distributing instrumentation from all areas of the hospital. This is a hands-on role that includes routine maintenance, instrument tracking, preparing accurate records, and maintaining a working knowledge of sterilization and disinfection methods required for specific instruments and equipment. As a Sterilization Technician, you will be responsible for following universal precautions, infection control policies, federal regulations, and standard policies and procedures within the organization.Responsibilities:Essential Functions1. Processes, sorts, assembles, and distributes contaminated and non-contaminated instruments and equipment to construct clean accurate sets which are in good repair by using special techniques and procedures of Universal Barrier Precautions.

• Follows procedures for manual cleaning process.
• Follows procedures for automated cleaning process.
• Proper use of chemicals and knowledge of Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) forms.
• Practices Universal precautions, Infection Control policies and observes safe work practices.
• Communicates to appropriate personnel regarding sharps, punctures and other potential risks.
• Operates decontamination machinery in strict accordance with departmental procedures.
• Adheres to using personal protective equipment (PPE) while working in decontamination.

2. Distributes instruments sets to ensure receipt by departments in a timely manner as directed by supervisory staff, as requested by customers and as deemed necessary by technician.

• Deliver sterile cart to Operating Room (OR)/Outpatient Surgery (OPS) in a timely manner.
• Accurately delivers sterile items in the correct location as designated in Sterile Processing Department (SPD).
• Responds to Operating Room (OR)/Outpatient Surgery (OPS)\'s requests in a timely manner.

3. Prepares surgical instruments and related supplies to ensure surgical instrument sets are assembled accurately and completely by following recipe card.

• Precisely follows individual recipe sheets for each set/tray/item being assembled.
• Replace lost or damaged instruments as required to complete the set/tray.
• Conducts quality checks on instruments for cleanliness, function, defects, breakage and overall condition.
• Flushes all instruments with lumens or cannulated.

4. Keeps accurate records of sterilization and of all equipment in the department to comply with federal and other external regulations by following guidelines in department policy and procedure manual.

• Maintains Sterile Processing Department (SPD)\'s equipment service log.
• Maintains accurate sterilization records/documentation.
• Follows protocol for scanning bar coded items.
• Scanning items to the proper stations and locations.
• Sterilization records entered accurately into the sterilization module.
• Consistently records accurate load control numbers.
• Consistently verifies and initials all records according to policy.

5. Performs sterile linen processing to ensure availability of sterile linen, by following established guidelines.

• Correctly assembles and wrap linen packs according to guidelines.
• Keeps sterile linen stocked to the set par levels.
• Proper wrapping techniques used when using non-woven wrapper.
• Proper packaging techniques used when using paper peel pouches.
• Proper techniques and supplies used when using rigid containers.

6. Loads and unloads sterilization carts to ensure smooth and timely processing and delivery of sterile instruments and supplies by carefully and properly handling items on the cart as outlined in department procedure manual.

• Operate sterilizers in strict accordance with departmental procedures.
• Followings policy and procedures for steam sterilization.
• Followings policy and procedures for Ethylene Oxide sterilization.
• Followings policy and procedures for Gas plasma sterilization.
• Understands and interprets mechanical, chemical and biological indicators.
• Prepare sterilization loads according to sterilization method and policies.
• Incubates self contained biologicals according to protocol.
• Follows policy and procedures for Peracetic Acid sterilization.

7. Perform UV cleaning of used equipment following established procedures.8. Performs all other duties as needed or assigned by Lead Sterile Processing Tech. to align related needs with effective solutions.

• Assists in unpacking the department\'s supply order.
• Reviews the check-off manuals and follows up with new staff for their first 6 months.
• Review and checks off orientation manuals if a preceptor for new staff.
• Assist with improving the quality of sterile processing services.
• Assist with identifying pertinent evidence to establish benchmarks at directed.
• Exhibits professional interpersonal and communication skills.

Schedule:Monday - Friday, 2:00 PM - 10:30 PM (8-hour shifts) OR 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM (10-hour shifts with variable day off); Rotating Weekends, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM; Rotating Holidays, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM:Job RequirementsEducation

• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D) preferred.

Experience

• One to two years\' experience in a surgical environment preferred.
• Requires the ability to logically assess ideas and concepts, to develop effectiveness and efficiency in the services provided.

License/Certifications

• Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Tech (CSPDT) required.

OR

• Certification by International Association of Healthcare Central Service Management (IAHCSMM) required:

• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
• Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS)
• Certification in Healthcare Leadership (CHL)
• Certified Central Service Vendor Program (CCSVP)

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Requires the ability to logically assess ideas and concepts, to develop effectiveness and efficiency in the services provided.

Physical RequirementsWeight Demands

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

Physical ActivityOccasionally Performed (1%-33%):

• Climbing
• Crawling
• Kneeling
• Sitting

Frequently Performed (34%-66%):

• Balancing
• Carrying
• Crouching
• Distinguish colors
• Keyboarding/typing
• Lifting
• Pulling/Pushing
• Repetitive Motions
• Standing
• Stooping/bending
• Twisting
• Walking

Constantly Performed (67%-100%):

• Grasping
• Hearing
• Reaching
• Seeing/Visual
• Speaking/talking

Job HazardsNot Related:

• Explosives (pressurized gas)
• Electrical Shock/Static
• Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
• Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)

Rare (1-33%):

• Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
• Mechanical moving parts/vibrations

Occasionally (34%-66%):

• Biological agents (primary airborne and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) (BBF)
• Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
• Equipment/Machinery/Tools

About Methodist:Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.

Methodist Health System