Sterile Processing Assistant Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

General Summary

Under general supervision, decontaminates, disinfects, assembles, packages, stores and issues medical/surgical instruments, supplies and equipment in accordance with UMMCs policies and industry best practices and standards. Fulfillment of the job duties requires the employee to have access to medication storage areas.

II.            Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

• The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. Depending on departmental needs, individual interest and skill set, the incumbent may be assigned to perform duties in certain categories but not others. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel in this classification. Preceptor for trainees after demonstrated and documented proficiency. e.g. - decontamination, prep and pack, sterilization; TOR; case cart assembly, sterile storage and distribution. May assist with basic trouble shooting of equipment used with flexible endoscopes.

• Decontamination/Retrieval of Soiled Instruments from Patient Care Units
• Performs decontamination activities, to render instrumentation and other medical devices clean and safe for handling.
• Adheres to dress code required for the handling of soiled medical devices and decontamination activities.
• Chooses the correct cleaning tools to include brushes, sponges and detergents. Uses chemicals in proper dilution for effective cleaning and disinfection.
• Correctly operates mechanical decontamination equipment according to departmental procedures and following the manufacturer's operating instructions.
• Exercises safe handling practices to prevent cross-contamination such as following a one-way work flow and in the handling of sharps to prevent injury to self and others.
• Performs routine cleaning and disinfection activities to ensure a clean work environment.
• Retrieves contaminated instrument sets from patient care areas for processing; practices proper techniques in the identification, containment and handling of contaminated instruments in transport to prevent spills and other cross contamination events.

• Prep and Pack/Assembly
• Inspects, assembles and prepares instrumentation for terminal sterilization in accordance with established sterile processing practices and standards.
• Inspects instruments for cleanliness and functionality using tools such as lighted magnification and sharpness testing materials.
• Assembles instrument trays and sets according to departmental established procedures.
• Prepares instrument trays and sets for sterilization by selecting the correct packaging type and method(s) that are compatible with the devices to be sterilized. Labels packaged devices accurately.

• Performs sterilization activities in accordance with established procedures utilizing high and low temperature sterilization methods and related equipment.
• Selects the correct sterilization method(s) for the items(s) being sterilized.
• Loads packages in a manner to facilitate proper sterilant contact for the devices in the load.
• Monitors the sterilization process using mechanical, chemical and biological indicators to include accurate documentation of the results of such monitoring devices.
• Operates sterilizers and related equipment according to departmental procedures and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for use. Recognizes equipment malfunctions and immediately takes appropriate action such as reporting to CS Leadership.
• Documents electronically (manually if SPM is down) date, load contents and sterilizer lot numbers to facilitate retrieval of items on the load in the event of a sterilization failure.
• Verifies the load contents against the load record before closing the load to make sure all items have been documented accurately.
• Complies with safety requirements regarding thermal and chemical exposure; wears personal protective equipment when handling chemical sterilants and hot instrumentation or equipment.
• At cycle completion, verifies cycle parameters, documents and processes biological monitoring. When available, immediately documents chemical indicator and biological test results. Promptly initiates the recall process in the event of a sterilization failure such as wet load, aborted cycle, wrong parameters, positive BI, unresponsive chemical indicator.

• Responsible for accurately assembling and delivering case carts to the surgical suite; this includes regular scheduled, wait list, add-ons and emergent cases.
• Dispenses and deliver instruments and equipment to nursing departments and clinics.
• Maintains an accurate record of supplies and/or instruments dispensed to patient care units for use. This may include computer data entry.
• Conducts periodic supply inventory and follows procedures to restock as necessary.
• Pulls surgical instrumentation to include sets, peel packaged items and loaner sets in addition to disposable supplies such as totes or packs that are required for the case cart.
• Maintains knowledge of surgical procedures, supplies and products.
• Immediately reports supplies and/or instrumentation outages to CS leadership for action.
• Initiates supply returns to ensure accurate inventory levels are maintained.
• Frequently monitors the sterile storage area for events that may compromise the integrity of the items stored in this area to include, expired items, torn, holes, damaged or missing tamper evident locks and indicator tape.
• Scans trays and peel package items to the correct shelf location.

• Performs decontamination activities, to render flexible scopes, transesophageal and other dilators clean and safe for handling. Adheres to dress code required for decontamination activities.
• Performs pre-cleaning leak testing; takes proper action in the event of a failed lead test; documents the results; contacts CS leadership for action.
• Chooses the correct cleaning tools to include detergent and correct size cleaning brushes. Thoroughly brushes and cleans all ports in a manner to prevent areolation. Decontaminates and disinfects or sterilizes Utilizes all cleaning/flushing equipment according to IFU; maintains, cleans or disinfects equipment and documents.
• Performs cleaning post cleaning inspection using lighted magnification and residual soil verification testing; documents the results. Takes appropriate action in the event of non-passing result.
• Performs post cleaning leak testing for TEE probes and documents results.
• Cleans and disinfects sink after each scope or dilator; maintains a clean work area.
• Strictly follows one-way flow process, using 3-sink method; cleans one scope at a time.
• Performs high level disinfection in accordance with established procedures utilizing AER's (Automatic Endoscopic Reprocessors).
• Dons clean ppe; loads flexible scopes in AER with correct hook-up.
• Monitors the scope process using mechanical and chemical indicators for the AER.
• Documents all information related to items being high level disinfected identifying to include, date, physician, patient identifier, load/cycle number, and processing technician. This may include computer data entry using SPM.
• After HLD, completely dries the flexible scope or dilator in a manner as not to re-contaminate it before storage.
• Through the entire process, keeps accessories with scope they were used on.
• Complies with safety requirements regarding chemical exposure and spills.

C. Stores HLD flexible scopes and dilators in a manner to prevent re-contamination. Tip protectors may be used.

D.  If compatible with sterilization method, prepares and packages flexible, rigid endoscopes and accessories for sterilization.

E. Cleans and restocks endoscopy procedure carts in accordance with departmental procedures.

F. Issues scopes utilizing hard containers designed for scope transport.

G. Assists clinical staff with at the point of use handling issues and equipment malfunctions.

H. bStores scopes and equipment in designated storage areas for distribution.  Cleans storage shelves to maintain a clean work environment.

I.Assists with retrieval of contaminated scopes from patient care areas for sterile processing. Practices proper techniques in the containment and handling of contaminated scopes and equipment to prevent cross-contamination, in accordance with department standards and accepted safe and sterile handling practices.

• May be assigned as a preceptor to new hires and/or trainees.
• Attends all mandatory hospital and department in-service training and safety training annually. Attends a minimum of one external educational seminar per year.
• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, and quality and safety standards.
• Attends at least one off-site conference related to updates in reprocessing medical devices.
• If assigned to flexible endoscope reprocessing must remain current with annual competencies related to flexible scope, TEE Probes, dilators and other medical devices requiring high-level disinfection and anytime a new process or change in process is introduced. May perform these tasks under general supervisor.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required. 
• 6 months or more years of CSP experience.
• Must be certified CRCST or CBSPDT. If assigned to reprocessing flexible endoscopes, must obtain certification in scope reprocessing within 12 months of assumption of those duties.

IV.        Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of the use of a PC and computerized database system preferred or demonstrated ability to learn within one year.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work with various clinical personnel, resolve problems and to properly identify and label supplies for inventory purposes.

V.         Patient Safety

• Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.