The Instrument Processing Technician works under the direction of the Sterile Processing Manager and is responsible for the proper handling, cleaning, disinfecting, assembly, and sterilization of instrumentation and patient-related equipment to render items safe for handling and use.

Sterilization:

• Loads, unloads and safely operates all sterilizers according to policies and procedures
• Completes all monitoring paperwork, sterilization records and records of instrument sets within required timeline
• Maintains sterility of equipment and supplies
• Transports, handles and stores sterile instruments and supplies per appropriate standards 

Decontamination:

• Treats all instruments and equipment in the decontamination areas appropriately
• Follows proper cleaning procedures for items being cleaned
• Organizes and sorts instrument sets and equipment for proper cleaning, decontamination and ensures appropriate method of cleaning is used
• Performs presoaking, loading of instruments in the ultrasonic/medivator, and washer/disinfector, and performs manual cleaning/washing
• Prioritizes work according to direction and Operating Room demand, monitoring flow and timing

Instrumentation:

• Inspects and reassembles clean instrumentation and equipment according to standard operating procedures
• Sorts instruments according to type
• Assembles instruments according to appropriate recipe
• Prepares instrument sets and appropriately places in either rigid containers or prepares for wrapping with proper identification, entering into queue for sterilization
• Maintains appropriate levels of sterile instrument sets and individual instrumentation relative to Operating Room scheduling

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma/equivalent

OR

One of the following qualifications: 

• Completion of an associate degree program or higher; 

OR 

• Prior experience as a central service technician in a sterile processing department; 

OR 

• Enrollment in an associate degree program or higher with completion of clinical internship in sterile processing

Successful completion of sterilization, decontamination, and instrumentation competencies required within 6 months of hire