SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.
Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.
Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities:
• Partners with Central Sterilization Manager to assist with the implementation of new technologies that are used in the reprocessing area, as well as new instrumentation used for many types of surgical procedures.
• Partners with Central Sterilization Manager to identify and submit new sterilization stock items and maintain inventory control.
• Record Management: Oversees and maintains the meticulous collection and auditing of MEMC sterilization records and associated clinics to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Scheduling and Compliance: Establishes routine scheduling for sterilization processes and personnel meetings to maintain compliance with established standards. Monitors and ensures adherence to regulatory guidelines.
• Operational Standards: Ensures that MEMC and associated clinics maintain and adhere to consistent operational standards in line with regulatory agency requirements for sterilization procedures. Supplies oversight of specific areas including surgical instrumentation and outpatient instrumentation.
• Technical Expertise: Possesses a broad knowledge base of instrumentation equipment, techniques, and extensive reprocessing skills critical to success in the position.
• Training and Support: Participating in professional organization and attending continuing education programs/conferences to stay up to date on latest developments in Sterile Processing industry. Assists in the training and certification of members of the team on SEARHC sterilization process and new products, procedures, and equipment to ensure the highest level of care for patients. Initiates and develops programs that incorporate continuous improvement. Identifies staff training needs and collaborates with the Central Sterilization Manager to supply guidance and support for staff education and certification.
• Sterilization Processes: Directly responsible for the collection, decontamination, cleaning, packaging, sterilization, and tracking of critical and semi-critical instruments, in addition to a high variety of complex surgical instruments and instrument sets according to SEARHC policies and procedures.
• Responsible for sterilizers as evidenced by direct observation, documentation review.
• Checking printouts of machines daily.
• Checks Quality Controls daily.
• Go to the OR rooms as needed to help OR personnel as needed.
• Checks machines daily to be sure they are working properly.
• Ensures machines are cleaned by sterile processing personnel.
• Responsible for instrument trays, medical equipment and carts as evidenced by direct observation, documentation review.
• Sterile Processing Supervisor is responsible on an on-going basis for planning, directing, coordinating, implementing daily supervision of the Sterile Processing Technicians and other personnel assigned to the area and will demonstrate this, as evidenced by direct observation, documentation review, by:
Keeping records on all items sent off for repair 100% of the time. Checking supplies and replenishing for future use 100% of the time. Reviewing staffing daily to determine the necessity to replace an absent employee or the necessity to float an extra employee to cover departmental needs and maintain staffing levels in line with census of the entire hospital.• Promotes an environment in which the team can work cooperatively toward achieving individual and hospital objectives.
• Promotes interdepartmental cooperation. • Schedules vacations and holidays for personnel to provide constant departmental coverage.
• Prepares and / or supervises the preparation of Sterile Processing assignments on workload and competency of personnel.
• Performs employee performance appraisals and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Prepares and maintains record of daily / monthly statistical reports for Sterile Processing department.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform actions that demonstrate accountability as evidenced by direct observation and documentation review.
• Exercises safe judgment in decision making.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to changes in the operating room needs.
• Responds in a positive manner to constructive criticism.
• Demonstrates tact and understanding when dealing with patients, team members, members of other disciplines, and the public.
• Practices within ethical and legal guidelines.
• Keeps patient information confidential and maintains privacy of patient.
• Demonstrates skills through clinical practice, teaching, and in-service as evidenced by direct observation, documentation review.
• Demonstrates responsibility for the teaching of personnel in new techniques, changes in policies, et cetera.
• Voluntarily participates in unit conferences and educational endeavors.
• Cooperates in lending knowledge and / or assistance to other units and hospital departments as the need arises.
• Contributes suggestions for departmental improvement.
• Assists in the continuing education of unit personnel.
• Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates a responsible attitude toward appropriate and efficient management of the Sterile Processing Department, as evidenced by direct observation, documentation review. Demonstrates loyalty to the philosophy, policies, and practices of SEARHC.
• Assists in the process of policy changes when necessary.
• Demonstrates awareness of increasing costs in using supplies and equipment conservatively.
• Responsible for annual physical inventories.
• Volunteers and is willing to clock out and leave premises when caseload decreases.
• Stays late, as cases require.
• Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Yes (Sterile Processing Technicians)Additional Details:
Education
High school diploma/GED
Preferred associate degree in health-related or business field.
Experience Required
2 years' experience in sterile processing2 years of supervisory experience in sterile processingCertifications, and Licenses Required
Certification by Healthcare Sterile Processing Association HSPA as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certification by Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) as a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)
Preferred (HSPA) Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) Certificating or certified Supervisor from CBSPD.
Basic Life Support
Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three years
Manager Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three years
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge Required
Accreditation requirements for sterilization processes.
Epidemiology and infectious disease.
Aseptic technique principles
Project performance improvement methodology.
Skills Required
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Accurate, precise, and timely data entry and reports.
Ownership of project.
Advanced level of hand & eye coordination skills.
Working level of organizational skills.
Proficient computer skills in MS Office, Excel and database applications.
Preferred Basic knowledge of Tracking Systems and OR Scheduling Systems.
Abilities Required
• Ability to train / teach specific and detailed processes to learners of a broad range of abilities.
• Lead teams in process change and implementation. Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Work in a team environment and / or independently as necessary.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and communicate clearly with staff and leadership.
• Travel <20%
Safety and Risk Management Responsibilities
• Follows protocol emphasizing universal precautions as specified in accordance with SEARHC policies and procedures, manufacturer’s instructions for use and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI) guidelines.
Physical Demands
• Ability to complete sterilization duties with or without accommodations.
Work Environment Considerations
• Clinic and Hospital
Position Information:
Work Shift:OT 8/40If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!