Material Processing tech

Material Processing Technician

The material processing technician is responsible for ensuring the proper cleaning, sterilization, and maintenance of medical instruments and equipment used in the healthcare settings.

1. Decontamination: Cleaning and disinfecting instruments and medical devices after use, ensuring they are free of contaminants and safe for future use.

2. Sterilization: Operating sterilization equipment, such as autoclaves, to ensure instruments are properly sanitized according to health and safety standards.

3. Inspection and Testing: Checking instruments for cleanliness, functionality, and any signs of wear or damage. Testing sterilization equipment and maintaining records to ensure compliance with regulations.

4. Organization and Inventory Management: Sorting, packaging, and labeling instruments for storage or future use, keeping an accurate inventory of equipment and supplies.

5. Compliance: Adhering to all infection control policies, safety regulations, and healthcare standards to ensure the highest level of patient safety and care.

6. Team Collaboration: Working closely with surgical teams, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that all necessary equipment is available and ready for use in a timely manner.

The material processing technician must have strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Training is provided during the technicians' orientation period. Certification is recommended, but not required.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Promote Mission Statement and Key Success Behaviors.
• Knowledge of surgical instruments and procedures.
• Prioritization, organizational, and communication skills are necessary.
• Must stay current and knowledgeable regarding infection control, OSHA standards, NIAHO standards, and general AAMI and AORN recommendations.
• Successful completion of on-the-job training with Surgical Services and Reid Health.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique.
• Knowledge of medical supplies, equipment, and medications.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work under minimal supervision.
• Must be able to file assorted items.
• Must be able to assist with lifting, turning, and positioning of patients.
• Must be able to stand, bend, push, pull, and walk to move assorted heavy equipment.
• Must be flexible and diverse to function in a technologically complex environment.
• Must be able to plan work activities, think ahead, and be able to work quickly and efficiently under pressure and stress.
• Receives instruments, scopes, and other equipment and checks for readiness, sterility/non-sterility, and completeness.
• Aids in ensuring efficient and productive utilization of the operating suite.
• Sterilizes according to accepted recommendations via steam sterilization, low temperature chemical sterilization, or high-level disinfection while maintaining standards of care as deemed appropriate.
• Facilitates on-time starts, case turnovers, and accuracy of case preparation.
• Monitors operation of all sterilizers. Responsible to communicate problems to Sterile Processing Manager and Clinical Coordinator.
• Coordinates activities for maintaining surgical instruments and equipment. Assists in maintaining equipment repair logs and develops an equipment database.
• Provides follow-up for routine surgical supply orders and back orders. Works closely with the Perioperative Materials Manager to coordinate special order items and equipment.
• Runs appropriate checks on sterilization equipment and keeps logs as appropriate.
• Reports malfunctioning, broken, or missing instruments/equipment to team members.
• Communicates follow-up expectations to all appropriate personnel.
• Attends all required safety and training programs and can describe his or her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
• Follows the Department and Reid Health exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Performs according to established departmental and hospital policies/procedures utilizing strict adherence to aseptic technique principles.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter- and intradepartmental to facilitate the department's/unit's ability to meet its goals and objectives.
• Can immediately locate: Crash cart and defibrillator; Malignant Hyperthermia cart/kit.
• Can demonstrate role in the Hazardous Materials and Waste Program, including procedures to follow in case of a spill.
• Complete HealthStream requirements as assigned.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.

Education & Experience

• Education Required: High School diploma or GED (Effective December 2024; employees hired prior to this requirement being added are grandfathered with education being preferred)
• Experience Preferred: At least 1 year of experience/knowledge inside of surgical environment

Licensure and Certification:

• Preferred Certified Registered Central Service Technician through HSPA or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician through CBSPD