Sterile Processing Technician

Tasks

• Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.

• Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.

• Record sterilizer test results.

• Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.

• Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.

• Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.

• Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.

• Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.

• Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.

• Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.

• Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.

• Disinfect and sterilize equipment, such as respirators, hospital beds, or oxygen or dialysis equipment, using sterilizers, aerators, or washers.

• Purge wastes from equipment by connecting equipment to water sources and flushing water through systems.

• Deliver equipment to specified hospital locations or to patients' residences.

• Install and set up medical equipment, using hand tools.

• Assist hospital staff with patient care duties, such as providing transportation or setting up traction.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.