JOB SUMMARY 

In conjunction with SPD leadership, the incumbent serves as a proactive resource to assist with the oversight of technical operations, ensuring that departmental mission effectiveness is realized. The incumbent must possess critical thinking skills to prioritize and coordinate needs for instrumentation as requested by a variety of service lines to ensure effective patient flow and demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate patterns of escalation to leadership in order to enable rapid service recovery when issues are detected. The incumbent in this position will coordinate with the operating room leadership to ensure that equipment is in an appropriate condition for safe, effective use. They will also work in conjunction with loaner coordinators, vendors and OR personal to ensure that requested equipment is available for selected procedures. The incumbent troubleshoots equipment, instrument, and customer issues. Incumbent interfaces with OR, ancillary departments, and outside companies. Participates in performance improvement planning and implementation. Demonstrates excellent communication skills and works closely with management, SPD Educator and SPD Quality Coordinator to implement change management and staff development opportunities. This position requires the flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Minimum of four (4) years of previous Sterile Processing Technician experience.
• Knowledge of all areas of Sterile Processing Department (SPD) operations, including:
  • Decontamination
  • Inspection, assembly, and packaging across all service lines
  • Sterilization of packaged medical devices
  • Quality control (QC) and sterilization recordkeeping
  • Distribution of sterile products
  • Preparation, building, and quality assurance (QA) of case carts
• Ability to operate sterile processing machinery and equipment, including:
  • Sterilizers
  • Washers
  • Ultrasonic cleaners
• Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Basic knowledge of computer systems, including Windows operating systems and keyboard and mouse operations.
• Demonstrated ability to competently perform multiple complex tasks.
• Detailed knowledge of:
  • Medical terminology
  • Departmental policies and procedures
  • Regulatory standards
  • Leading industry practices
• Knowledge of standard precautions for safety and prevention of cross-contamination.
• Detailed knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English sufficiently to communicate effectively with nursing, technical, and medical staff.

• Ability to safely move heavy trays and equipment, lift up to 50 pounds, and stand for prolonged periods.

   

Required Licenses / Certifications:

• Current Certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Tech (CRCST), IAHCSMM or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT), CBSPD, or Surgical Technologist Certification (CST).
• If CST certified, must obtain an SPD certification within one year of hire and maintain certification thereafter.
• Advanced certification, such as a Surgical Instrument Specialist, SPD Manager or other advanced SPD certification

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous lead or supervisory experience in a sterile processing setting.
• Previous preceptor experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

%  

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

  

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

50YesAssemble and package OR, clinic, endoscopic and house instrument sets. Identifies, inspects & assembles specialty instruments, various power equipment, laser & endoscopic instruments per manufactures guidelines, specifications on electronic count sheets, professional standards and other documentation for a variety of surgical specialties under minimal supervision. Operationally check instrumentation for functionality, sterility and cleanliness. Utilizes the SPD Information system appropriately for tasks and adheres to Medical Center and departmental policies and procedures.15YesDecontaminate surgical procedure instrument sets following manufacturers guidelines, protocols established by electronic count sheets, professional standards and other documentation from a variety of surgical specialties under minimal supervision. Inspects, disassembles, sorts, cleans and processes reusable instrumentation through the competent utilization of a variety of cleaners, disinfectants, and machinery. Utilizes the SPD Information system appropriately for tasks and adheres to Medical Center and departmental policies and procedures. Maintain appropriate records of receipt and disinfection of key instruments and equipment10YesOperates and maintains sterilization equipment according to manufactures guidelines, established protocols and professional standards. Maintains accurate sterilization records, selects appropriate methods of sterilization, verifies that sterilization parameters have been met before the release of load. Properly loads and unloads sterilizer carts. Utilizes the SPD Information system appropriately for the tasks and in adherence to Medical Center and departmental procedures. Packages sterilizer loads and maintains documentation related to items processed, quality assurance, maintenance, and troubleshooting.15Yes

Gathers needed supplies and instruments for next day cases or Emergent cases (E-Cases) by utilizing the OR preference cards picklists. Performs all tasks necessary to prepare and maintain accurate surgical Case Carts.

 

Coordinates with operating room staff to ensure that proper supplies for each case are delivered. Identifies and notifies appropriate personnel of inventory or supply shortages. Dispense sterile supplies to appropriate locations throughout the Medical Center. Maintain sterile inventory through par level maintenance, stock rotation, and quality assurance. Maintain documentation related to material dispensation including logs, schedules, and electronic systems. Utilize the SPD Information system appropriately for the tasks and according to Medical Center and departmental procedures.

10YesMaintain timely and efficient process flows through communication with outside departments and sterile processing technicians in other assignments. Assists other Sterile Processing Technicians in the duties listed above. Functions as a resource for SPD Tech ts, newly hired SPD Techs and agency contracted SPD Tech staff including task orientation, process flow and facility layout.100%