Following all regulatory and professional standards, guidelines, requirements, and ethics, decontaminate, clean, assemble and process instrumentation correctly, ensuring that patients are not adversely affected. Always follows manufacturers’ instructions for use/processing. Primary Responsibilities: - Aware that the department follows guidelines, standards, recommendations of AORN, AAMI, SGNA, IAHCSMM. We are also governed by regulations from the FDA, EPA, OSHA and CMS.
- Follows prescribed procedures and techniques for effective decontamination and personal safety.
- Disassembles and cleans instruments, trays, and basins manually and mechanically according to manufacturers’ instructions.
- Disinfects and inspects equipment used in patient care. Reports defective equipment.
- Correctly uses various cleaning and disinfecting agents used in the decontamination process.
- Places items correctly in baskets and loads and operates washer/disinfector.
- Inspects all instruments for cleanliness and proper working order.
- Correctly arranges and assemble instrument sets, trays and various kits as per the “recipe”.
- Wraps or packages items in prescribed manner, seals and correctly labels.
- Notifies team leader or director when unable to replace parts or equipment, deficiency in work area.
- Assures weight limit of trays is not exceeded (max 25 lbs).
- Determines the correct methods of sterilization and exposure requirements.
- Maintains and assures accuracy of biological lot control and traceability records for all items sterilized.
- Reads machine cycle printouts for proper cycle parameters. Initials and records required information and notifies team leader or director of questionable operation or failure.
- Places items correctly on sterilizer racks and operates sterilizers.
- Puts sterilized items away or returns to correct department.
- Performs sterilizer function tests and biological monitoring. Reports inaccuracies to the team leader or director.
- Cleans sterilizer chambers, drains and carts.
- Follows standardized procedures for inspection and handling of sterile goods to maintain package integrity and contents sterility.
- Rotates stock to allow for “first in, first out” method of stock rotations.
- Checks in and puts away supplies from outside vendors. Takes pictures of all loaner or borrowed sets.
- Labels peel packs or wrapped items with name of instrument and specialty after placing indicator within packaging.
- Inspects integrity of peels packs. Breaks down any with compromised packaging.
- Verifies indicators have turned color.
- Follows infection control safety guidelines to control the spread of pathogens.
- Follow safety guidelines for Hydrogen peroxide, steam, Rapicide, fire and hazardous substances as determined by regulating agencies and LRH.
- Is aware that failure to conform to safety policies may cause injury to self, other personnel, patients and visitors.
- Avoid shortcuts in procedures with the knowledge that doing so may have adverse effects on patients.
- Reports equipment/instruments/machines in need of repair.
- Communicates effectively promoting efficiency, safety and good relations with other departments and services related to patient care.
- Exercises discretion and follows established policies in dealing with patient information.
- Monitors work in progress and provides direction and guidance as required.
- Handles minor departmental problems without need to consult with the manager.
- Assures proper use of prescribed methods and procedures and verifies conformity to standard of sterilization aseptic technique and safety.
- Maintains adequate supplies of procedure trays, kits, instruments and linens are on hand at all times.
- Assists with training of new employees and contributes to instruction of new procedures.
- Completes mandatory inservices and competencies annually.
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