Sterile Processing Technician Lead

Loudoun Hospital - Sterile Processing | Sterile Processing Technician Lead | Full Time: Monday - Friday

Inova is consistently ranked a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience. We are also proud to be consistently recognized as a top employer in both the D.C. metro area and the nation.

Featured Benefits:

• Committed to Team Member Health: offering medical, dental and vision coverage, and a robust team member wellness program.
• Retirement: Inova matches the first 5% of eligible contributions - starting on your first day.
• Tuition and Student Loan Assistance: offering up to $5,250 per year in education assistance and up to $10,000 for student loans.
• Mental Health Support: offering all Inova team members, their spouses/partners, and their children 25 mental health coaching or therapy sessions, per person, per year, at no cost.
• Work/Life Balance: offering paid time off, paid parental leave, flexible work schedules, and remote and hybrid career opportunities.

Sterile Processing Technician Lead Responsibilities

• Decontaminates instruments in a safe and appropriate manner.
• Unloads case carts, checking all items for red tags.
• Properly sorts instrumentation and selects the proper processing mechanisms (manual and mechanical) to ensure the integrity of and prevent damage to the items.
• Prepares instrumentation for the decontamination process, including flushing lumens, exposing all surfaces, and properly loading washers.
• Operates washer/decontaminators, cart washers, sonic washers, and all other equipment in the decontamination area.
• Utilizes instrument tracking computer software to document all functions in the decontamination area.
• Assembles instrumentation accurately and efficiently.
• Locates missing instrumentation and replaces repaired/ordered instrumentation in sets.
• Maintains stock levels in the assembly area.
• Loads items to be sterilized on the loading cart and records them on the load cart, adding a biological test to each load.
• Utilizes instrument tracking computer software to document all functions in the instrument assembly area.
• Inspects instruments and ensures that they are free from bio-burden and in proper working condition prior to assembling sets according to count sheets.
• Ensures sterility of all processed items.
• Selects the proper mode of sterilization for all items.
• Ensures the presence of all required chemical and biological indicators.
• Operates all sterilization equipment (Steam Sterrad, Steris).
• Validates sterilization process by reading, interpreting, and documenting all chemical and biological indicators.
• Utilizes instrument tracking computer software to document all functions related to sterilization.
• Maintains instruments inventory and ensures timely distribution of instruments to all customers.
• Maintains par levels of all individual items, instrument sets, procedure trays and MSET boxes.
• Properly stores or distributes items ensuring that each item has been properly labeled and sterilized.
• Responds professionally and efficiently to all routine and urgent customer requests.
• Utilizes instrument tracking computer software to document all functions related to storage and distribution Manages instrument inventory and ensures timely distribution of instruments to all customers.
• Prioritizes instruments.
• Distinguish one-of-a-kind trays.
• Distinguish trauma trays (Stryker, Synthes, etc.)
• Assembles complex trays.
• Assemble CVOR trays, loaner trays, ortho/neuro, vascular.
• Prioritizes trays coming out of the washer based on the red tag board. May assign red tags to other technicians.
• Assumes a leadership role within the department.
• Works collaboratively with all customers to problem-solve issues that arise on a day-to-day basis Teaches, mentors, and precepts new employees. Identifies cost and quality opportunities and brings them to the attention of the manager.
• Participates in the quality process.
• Acts as a resource to peers and oversees departmental operations in the absence of the coordinator/manager.
• Continually assesses and proactively manages department workload and coordinates resources to meet priorities.
• Differentiates by specialty based on OR schedule.
• Provides alternate solutions when instrumentation is not available. Sends out instruments for repair and coordinates instrumentation for on-site repair when necessary. Assists the Resource Coordinator to identify and order supplies and instrumentation.
• Knows the difference between high-temperature sterilization and low-temperature sterilization and HLD/scopes.
• Acts as supervisor within the department.
• Supervises staff to include making assignments, monitoring productivity, monitoring breaks, triaging and facilitating workload and assuring adequate departmental coverage.
• Oversees and assists team members in the Sterile Processing area, which may include but not limited to, ensuring team is meeting key-deliverables and quality standards, addressing and resolving challenges, managing and tracking performance, and assisting in time management and scheduling; escalates issues to senior leaders as needed.
• Delegates workload in a trauma environment.
• Assists with departmental policy development, revision, and review.
• Assists with in-service planning.
• May perform additional duties as assigned.

Sterile Processing Technician Lead Requirements:

• Certification - Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or CBSPD certification Upon Start, certification from The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (CRCST) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). RCST required.
• Experience - 2 years of experience in Sterile Processing
• Education - High School or GED