At Houston Methodist, the Sr Sterile Processing Technician position is responsible for maintaining high standards for decontamination, assembly, inspecting, wrapping, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for Surgical Services and all ancillary departments, which includes working in conjunction with the Operating Room (OR) staff to provide timely sterile products, trays and case carts where applicable. This position maintains consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service. The Sr Sterile Processing Technician Tech position must be certified, and therefore should demonstrate advanced knowledge of sterilization techniques, surgical instruments, and an in-depth understanding of the Sterile Processing department’s relationship with other departments within the hospital.
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with staff from the interprofessional health care team concerning patient safety to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care through effective assignment and shift handoffs and uses a structured format for regular communication with staff members and physicians.
- Serves as a preceptor and implements staff education specific to service lines and unit processes; coaches and mentors other staff and students. Role models, by example, open, professional communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution and achieve mutual understanding. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.
- Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Initiates recommendations for improvement of department scores for employee engagement.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Using advanced skills and job-based competencies, performs decontamination and assembling of complex surgical trays, individual and potentially customized instrumentation and equipment utilizing established count sheets. Wraps or contains items appropriately according to size and type of instrument or equipment.
- Functions independently to sterilize instruments and surgical trays by following prescribed manufacturer instructions for use and according to institutional policies and procedures.
- Identifies and prioritizes timely sterile products, trays and case carts by interpreting the surgery schedule and based on the needs of the OR staff and physicians.
- Ensures consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Reviews and improves upon the effectiveness of the sterilization process by using internal, external and biological monitoring systems appropriately utilizing established department protocols and sterilizer manufacturers’ instructions for use.
- Anticipates/prevents and responds to emergent situations. Actively participates in organizing the work flow, problem-solving, and managing multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.
- Understands and implements use of appropriate cleaning detergents and agents by reading directions and SDS sheets and utilizing all department equipment according to manufacturers’ instructions for use and department policies and protocols, providing clarification to others as needed.
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Manages time effectively and efficiently, minimizing incidental overtime, by completing assigned work and cleaning workstation at the end of each shift.
- Utilizes department resources to ensure completeness of trays, instruments and equipment according to count sheets. Identifies cost saving measures related to processes and/or supplies utilized within the department to share with management.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Performs, trains, and mentors industry sterile processing standards i.e. Steam, ETO and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide, while seeking opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.
- Acts as resource on Shared Governance committee for department or other hospital committees. Participates in department improvement activities.
- Works in conjunction with SPD Educator to provide at least two relevant educational/in-service presentations based on service line and department location. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
EDUCATION
- High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Two years of sterile processing experience
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS – REQUIRED
- CRCST – Certified Registered Central Service Technician (HSPA) OR
- CSPDT – Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CBSPD)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
- Independently demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
- Follows Universal Precautions by wearing the appropriate protective attire while working in the Decontamination area
- Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
- Ability to utilize basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking system, if applicable
- Demonstrates problem-solving and critical thinking, and makes decisions using analytical approach
- Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries made to the department
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
- Uniform No
- Scrubs Yes
- Business professional No
- Other (department approved) No
ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**
- May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
- May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 267-bed, 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center; Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services; wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower — a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women’s services, and provided nine operating rooms. The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.