Lead Sterile Processing Technician

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About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States and is the number one hospital in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report for 2022-2023. Duke University Hospital is the largest of Duke Health's three hospitals and features 1048 patient beds, 65 operating rooms, as well as comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more. Discover what makes Duke University Hospital unique and how you can advance your career as part of the team.

General Description of the Job Class
The Sterile Processing Technician, Lead assists the OR staff in the organization and daily function of the operating room in accordance with established federal, state, accreditation standards and facility policies and procedures. Responsible for instrument decontamination, sterile processing, instrument care, safe handling procedures and documentation related to those activities.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
The Sterile Processing Technician, Lead will be responsible for performing the responsibilities outlined in any/all of the categories below.

Operating Room Liaison:

• Assists the operating room staff in preparing the O.R. suite for surgery by assisting in instrument preparation.
• Works cooperatively with OR and Central Sterile to jointly resolve issues or develop better services for surgical implementation.
• Supports staff by ensuring communication with Central Sterile and OR staff helps ensure all instruments are available for surgery.
• Must be able to resolve issues or offer alternatives when necessary.
• Facilitates action required to obtain additional instruments during surgery
• Verifies that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for next-day, call or weekend cases.
• Addresses issues in communication/procedures by proactively reviewing OR schedule and suggesting modifications to ensure clear and precise communication and actions with all affected departments.
• Responds to problem calls from OR.
• Transports sterilized instrumentation to the O.R. area as needed.
• Documents and sends broken instrumentation out for repair.
• Completes documentation as required for instrument sets, etc (Case Cart, Post Case, and Tray Audits)
• Responds to problem calls from OR
• Meets with and works with OR staff and surgeons as required.

Site Lead:

• Assists in prioritizing processing of instruments and equipment for surgical procedures to facilitate turnover of cases.
• Anticipates instrument needs for following day and assures sterile processing completion.
• May assist the operating room staff in preparing the O.R. suite for surgery by assisting in instrument preparation.
• Acts as HLD Specialist. Performs/assists with daily quality testing on equipment in SPD.
• Assists supervisor in day-to-day activities to include answering phones and daily staff assignment sheet.
• Communicates closely with staff members concerning instrument requirements and availability.
• Verifies that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for next-day, call or weekend cases.
• Documents broken instrumentation. Completes documentation as required for instrument sets, etc (Case Cart, Post Case, and Tray Audits). May assist in sending broken equipment out for repair.
• Manages needs list for tray inventory
• Makes sure bio's are processed and ready in a timely manner

SPM/Quality Auditor:

• Verify sterilization documentation for accuracy.
• Track and monitor IUSS loads and documentation.
• Track and monitor tray errors.
• Check in vendor trays for the next day cases.
• Aids with exporting Quality Events for reporting.
• Maintains SPM tracking system which includes by not limited to: updates instrumentation, create new products, update count sheets.
• Aids in completing in services for new products or processes.
• Aids in locating trays to place new inventory received.
• Liaison between the Clinic Leads and Sterile Processing to ensure instrument inventory is accurate

Preceptor:

• Orients and mentors new staff.
• Shares knowledge with co-workers through open communication and continuous upgrading of skills.
• Conducts random audits on trays assembled by new staff.
• Conducts first stage re-education with techs on tray errors.
• Performs real time in-services with SPD staff.
• Performs Sterile Processing Technician job responsibilities when needed.
• Serves as a resource by guiding new and current team members to appropriate. resource materials
• Assist with annual competency checklist.

All roles:

• Provides a safe environment for patients and staff through identifying/ correcting/reporting health and safety hazards.
• Performs special projects.
• May assist Supervisor with department supply orders to include participating in facilitating timely ordering of instrumentation, supplies and implants.
• Willingly accepts assignments and performs effectively on a daily basis. Always communicates in a professional manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the application/use of instrumentation.
• Follows standard precautions using PPE as required.
• Serves as a professional role model to staff.
• Provides positive leadership.
• Applies and enforces regulations, standards, and hospital policy and procedures pertaining to all areas of sterile processing.
• Maintains knowledge of operation of all equipment in sterile processing and reports malfunctions to appropriate personnel immediately.
• Responds in a timely manner via phone, text and email as needed and performs needed follow up.
• Functions in SPD duties on an as needed bases, including but not limited to assembly, sterilization, and decontamination of instrument trays for ORs
• May cover areas in Supervisor's absence.
• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education
High School Diploma or Equivalent

Employees hired into this job code before 2/18/19 are not required to have high school diploma or equivalent

Experience
2 years as a Sterile Processing Technician required.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Certification required as CSPDT (CBSPD) or CRCST (HSPA).
• Additional certification preferred in at least one of the areas below: Sterile Processing Management - C.S.P.M or Healthcare Leadership - CHL
• Sterile Processing Department Technician - C.S.P.D.T or Registered Central Service Technician - CRCST
• Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist - C.S.I.S or Instrument Specialist - CIS
• Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (GI Scope) - C.F.E.R or Endoscope Reprocessor - CER

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology.
• Knowledge and understanding of a variety of OR procedures' surgical instruments including working parts and proper inspection.
• Aptitude for troubleshooting in a high-paced environment.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

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Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiringdepartment.