Sterile Processing Tech Lead

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.  

As a part of our organization, we currently offer the following benefits:

• Competitive starting wages (DOE) and training to grow within the company
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flexible health spending accounts (FSA)
• Matching 401(k) and 457(b) Retirement Programs
• Tuition Assistance for career growth and development
• Care@Work premium account for additional support with children, pets, dependent adults, and household needs
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Voluntary Protection: Group Accident, Critical Illness, and Identify Theft
• Adoption Assistance
• Wellness Program

Job Summary

• Performs efficient and meticulous decontamination/sterilization of surgical instruments and equipment, as well as inspecting and assembling surgical instruments, equipment, trays, and packs according to prescribed protocols and industry standards for aseptic technique. Depending on assigned hospital, incumbents rotate assignments among various decontamination sterilization processing, surgical tray assembly, supply and distribution functions in a continually changing medical and surgical facility. Work also includes: tray assembly, assisting in recordkeeping and monitoring equipment operations, maintaining department inventory and identifying and reporting supply, equipment, and procedure problems and dispensing equipment and supplies.
• Incumbents are also accountable for demonstrating awareness of personal and work area safety at all times; using evidence-based practices (EBP) and complying with facility safety policies and procedures in carrying out duties including those for blood borne pathogens and communicable diseases and; keeping knowledge current on aseptic techniques and basic microbiology sufficient to understand the ways diseases and infections are transmitted and the importance of clean and sterile supplies in patient care; attending training in new and improved sterilization practices and developments in the microbiology, bacteriology, and therapeutic practices as they affect the sterile supply operation.
• An incumbent oversees the work of staff in the absence of management, and assists in planning, organizing and administering the Central Supply Department. The work requires knowledge of the policies, procedures and equipment applicable to the work unit at appointment.

Essential Duties

• Assists with staffing, planning and control of operational functions; assists and instructs in the supervision of specialized technical skill requirements and work performance in the department.
• Works with management in developing quality monitors, in-service programs and orientation programs; assumes responsibility for the department in the absence of the Manager.
• Assists in the investigation of problem areas and/or complaints with respect to intra- and inter-departmental operations.
• Collects and decontaminates and cleans reusable equipment and/or supplies and associated storage units in accordance with department, manufacturer, and OSHA standards.
• Assembles instruments, complex instrument sets, and other surgical items and kits by selecting the appropriate items, trays, instruments, and arrange them in the correct manner permitting effective sterilization using existing standard operating procedures and surgical case count sheets.
• Sterilizes equipment in accordance with department, manufacturer, and OSHA standards using different agents, which may include steam, hydrogen peroxide, paracetic acid, ethylene oxide, and glutaraldehyde.
• Performs periodic tests on autoclave effectiveness and maintains accurate sterilization records.
• Maintains supply area and inventory levels.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education & Experience

• Graduation from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management Course
• One year of work experience as a Sterile Processing Tech required.

License & Certification

• Current certification as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) by the International Association of Health Care Central Service Material Management (IAHCCSMM) is required.