At Houston Methodist, the Sr Sterile Processing Technician position is responsible for maintaining high standards for decontamination, assembly, inspecting, wrapping, and sterilization of surgical instruments and medical equipment for Surgical Services and all ancillary departments, which includes working in conjunction with the Operating Room (OR) staff to provide timely sterile products, trays and case carts where applicable. This position maintains consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service. The Sr Sterile Processing Technician Tech position must be certified, and therefore should demonstrate advanced knowledge of sterilization techniques, surgical instruments, and an in-depth understanding of the Sterile Processing department's relationship with other departments within the hospital.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with staff from the interprofessional health care team concerning patient safety to improve outcomes and the safe transition of care through effective assignment and shift handoffs and uses a structured format for regular communication with staff members and physicians.

• Serves as a preceptor and implements staff education specific to service lines and unit processes; coaches and mentors other staff and students. Role models, by example, open, professional communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution and achieve mutual understanding. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Initiates recommendations for improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Using advanced skills and job-based competencies, performs decontamination and assembling of complex surgical trays, individual and potentially customized instrumentation and equipment utilizing established count sheets. Wraps or contains items appropriately according to size and type of instrument or equipment.

• Functions independently to sterilize instruments and surgical trays by following prescribed manufacturer instructions for use and according to institutional policies and procedures.

• Identifies and prioritizes timely sterile products, trays and case carts by interpreting the surgery schedule and based on the needs of the OR staff and physicians.

• Ensures consistent and continuous workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing while practicing excellent customer service.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews and improves upon the effectiveness of the sterilization process by using internal, external and biological monitoring systems appropriately utilizing established department protocols and sterilizer manufacturers' instructions for use.

• Anticipates/prevents and responds to emergent situations. Actively participates in organizing the work flow, problem-solving, and managing multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.

• Understands and implements use of appropriate cleaning detergents and agents by reading directions and SDS sheets and utilizing all department equipment according to manufacturers' instructions for use and department policies and protocols, providing clarification to others as needed.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages time effectively and efficiently, minimizing incidental overtime, by completing assigned work and cleaning workstation at the end of each shift.

• Utilizes department resources to ensure completeness of trays, instruments and equipment according to count sheets. Identifies cost saving measures related to processes and/or supplies utilized within the department to share with management.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs, trains, and mentors industry sterile processing standards i.e. Steam, ETO and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide, while seeking opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

• Acts as resource on Shared Governance committee for department or other hospital committees. Participates in department improvement activities.

• Works in conjunction with SPD Educator to provide at least two relevant educational/in-service presentations based on service line and department location. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years of sterile processing experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• CRCST - Certified Registered Central Service Technician (HSPA) OR
• CSPDT - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CBSPD)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Independently demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Follows Universal Precautions by wearing the appropriate protective attire while working in the Decontamination area

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Ability to utilize basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking system, if applicable

• Demonstrates problem-solving and critical thinking, and makes decisions using analytical approach

• Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries made to the department

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.