Certified Sterile Processing Technician

Sterile Processing Service Technician

• Allied Support Services
• SPT

Package:

· Pay rate: $30.80

· Week: $1,322.00

· Month: $5,728.67

· sYear: $68,44.04

REF: PW-SPST150724

Job Snapshot

Sterile Processing Service Technicians (SPTs) at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PVAHCS) are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of medical instruments and equipment. They ensure that surgical instruments and other equipment are properly cleaned, sterilized, and prepared for use. This role is essential in preventing infections and maintaining a safe environment for veterans and healthcare providers.

Job Role Purpose

The primary function of a Sterile Processing Service Technician is to decontaminate, inspect, assemble, package, and sterilize medical instruments and equipment. They play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety by providing sterile instruments for surgical procedures and other medical interventions at VA Medical Centers.

Job Role Description

Sterile Processing Service Technicians at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System work in a highly regulated environment, adhering to strict protocols and standards to ensure the highest level of patient care. They rotate assignments among various sterilization, decontamination, tray assembly, and quality assurance functions. The technicians work on a fixed schedule with five possible "Tours of Duty":

• Tour 1: 6:00 am – 2:30 pm
• Tour 2: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Tour 3: 2:30 pm – 11:00 pm
• Tour 4: 3:30 pm – 12:00 am
• Tour 5: 9:00 pm – 5:30 am

Contracted Sterile Processing Service Technicians may be required to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Top 10 Procedures

• Decontaminating surgical instruments
• Inspecting instruments for damage or wear
• Assembling instrument trays
• Packaging instruments for sterilization
• Operating sterilization equipment
• Monitoring and recording sterilization cycles
• Managing inventory of sterile supplies
• Performing biological and chemical monitoring tests
• Adhering to VA infection control standards
• Training new technicians in sterilization procedures

Equipment / Charts Used

• Autoclaves
• Ultrasonic cleaners
• Sterilization containers
• Biological and chemical indicators
• Sterile processing tracking systems
• Surgical instrument sets
• Heat sealers
• Sterile wrap
• Sterrad chemical sterilization systems
• Medivator Advantage and Trophon HLD systems

Certifications Required

• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
• Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)

Qualification Requirements

Candidates must meet one or more of the following:

• Certification as a CRCST or higher by the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM/HSPA).
• Graduation from a nationally recognized CRCST training program with at least 2 years of current documented work in the field.
• Graduation from a nationally recognized Operating Room Technician training program with at least 2 years of current documented work experience in a Sterile Processing Service environment.
• Graduation from a US military training program for Surgical Technicians with at least 2 years of current documented work experience in a Sterile Processing Service environment.
• VA Level 2 certification with at least 2 years of current work experience in the SPS environment.
• Non-certified technicians with documented and verifiable SPS hands-on work experience for a minimum of 5 years.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Practical knowledge of aseptic techniques and microbiology.
• Working knowledge of steam autoclaving, chemical sterilization, and HLD systems.
• Proficient in biological and chemical testing for sterilization efficacy.
• Understanding of surgical and clinical instrumentation, including specialty instruments.
• Ability to handle, clean, and reprocess flexible endoscopes.
• Physical ability to perform tasks such as prolonged standing, lifting, pushing, and pulling.
• Familiarity with medical and surgical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology.
• Capable of working in hot, humid, and loud environments while wearing PPE.

Work Environment

Sterile Processing Service Technicians work at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System, a dedicated facility for providing healthcare services to veterans. They must be available for various shifts and tours, ensuring 24/7 coverage. The work environment includes:

• Hospital settings: Handling a high volume of surgical instruments and maintaining strict sterilization protocols.
• Tours/Shifts: Day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts to meet patient care needs.

Industry Trends

• Increasing demand for sterile processing technicians due to heightened infection control standards.
• Technological advancements in sterilization methods and equipment.
• Growing emphasis on certification and continuing education.

Continuing Education

• Advanced courses in sterilization techniques.
• Workshops on the latest sterilization technology.
• Certification renewal courses.

Professional Associations

• International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)
• Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

Prana Talent Hot Jobs

Interview Tips

• Highlight your knowledge of sterilization techniques and equipment.
• Demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.
• Prepare to discuss specific examples of your experience in sterile processing.
• Be ready to answer questions about your certification and continuing education efforts.

Sources of Information

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)
• Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

This job description is true at the time of publication and accurate as of [today's date].

Job Type: Contract

Pay: Up to $65,894.40 per year

Benefits:

• Continuing education credits
• Employee discount
• Referral program

Healthcare setting:

• Acute care
• Ambulatory surgery center
• Children's hospital
• Clinic
• ER
• Inpatient
• JCAHO accredited facility
• Level III trauma center
• Level II trauma center
• Level I trauma center
• Magnet hospital
• Operating room
• Outpatient
• PACU
• Teaching hospital

Medical specialties:

• Cardiology
• Critical & Intensive Care
• Gastroenterology
• Medical-Surgical
• Neurology
• Ob/Gyn
• Otolaryngology
• Perioperative Care
• Podiatry
• Surgery
• Urology

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 3x12
• 4x10
• 4x12
• 5x8
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Holidays
• Morning shift
• Night shift
• On call
• Overnight shift
• Rotating shift
• Rotating weekends
• Weekends as needed

License/Certification:

• Sterile Processing Technician Certification? (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Phoenix, AZ (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Phoenix, AZ: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,894