Sterile Instrument Technician Lead

Position Purpose

This position is responsible to oversee the provision of sterile trays, medical instruments, packs and supplies for the care of the surgical patient on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis.

The Sterile Instrument Technician Lead will oversee the daily activities in the above procedures. Is responsible to providing effective communication to sterile instrument teams to ensure daily needs list is prioritized and met. Will perform quality assurance activity, monitoring and documentation. Assists with mentoring, training and role modeling for new Sterile Instrument Technicians. Performs all duties with a commitment to excellence in quality and customer service.

Collaborates with department leadership, Operating Room Liaison's and educator to identify department best practice updates. Assists in department key performance indicators.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Nature and Scope

This position serves a patient population of all ages. This position provides sterilization expertise to Sterile Processing, which has interaction with the OR, all in-house patient stations, outpatient services and several off-site services.

The incumbent is responsible for monitoring instruments and supplies needed in reprocessing procedures, overseeing the decontamination of equipment used for patient comfort and treatment, maintaining accurate quality assurance retrieval programs, and must have working knowledge of proper cleaning, containerizing/wrapping, and sterilization of all reusable items. Responsibilities also include participation in interviewing, training employees, planning, assigning and directing workflow, providing feedback to leadership in regard to sterile instrument technician performance evaluations, escalating to leadership regarding employees' performance complaints, and resolution of issues.

The conditions of work may involve exposures to communicable disease and potentially dangerous gases (where appropriate), chemicals, and injury from sharp instruments. Demonstrates knowledge of infection control measures to avoid spread of bacteria as demonstrated by appropriate handling of items that may have been exposed to blood or body fluids according to standards and recommended practices dictated by governing bodies, such as OSHA, AAMI, AORN as well as the department’s policy and procedures.

This position has the authority to relocate equipment to increase work efficiency, update packs and trays with management approval.

The major challenges to this position are maintaining control of patient equipment, proper level of supplies, and helping keep staff motivated and productive in the preparation of sterile instruments and trays utilizing the instrument tracking system (where appropriate) for invasive procedures and training technicians. Other related duties and flexibility may be required.

Demonstrates the positive behaviors that reflect understanding and support of the organizations mission, vision and purpose.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of sterilization techniques, decontamination, prep and pack, storage requirement and distribution procedures.

• Ability to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.

• Ability to work independently without supervision.

• Skills to function as a member of a team and perform duties that facilitate patient care.

• Knowledge of medical instruments and equipment is required.

• Working knowledge of basic Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology.

• Ability to work safely with Ethylene Oxide under permissible exposure limit (where appropriate).

• Understanding of patient equipment and its proper use/function.

• Ability to safely handle items contaminated with possibly infectious material.

• Ability to work with pressurized sterilizers.

• Ability to utilize proper telephone etiquette.

• Critical thinking skills.

• Conflict management skills.

• Fine motor skills.

• Demonstrates behavior consistent with Renown Health Living Our Values.

• Must be able to multi-task and prioritize their duties.

• Responsible for assembling/restocking all implant systems (where appropriate).

• In OR assistance for questions regarding instrumentation and proper use. Knowledge of OR aseptic technique (i.e. opening instruments/supplies on the sterile field). Accurately maintains comprehensive quality assurance standards related to sterilization and infection control in a sterile area.

• Responsible for tracking and retrieving instruments and supplies loaned interdepartmentally.

• Other related duties, flexible hours, and overtime may be required.

This position does not provide patient care.

Disclaimer

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred