Per Diem Central Sterile Tech

At Bristol Health, we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow. We have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to our patients, residents and families. We are committed to provide compassionate, quality care at all times and to uphold our values of Communication, Accountability, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.). We are Magnet ® and received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use your expertise, compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make Bristol Health your choice.

Performs a variety of routine tasks involving the collection, inspection, preparation, packaging, sterilization, storage and distribution of medical/surgical supplies and equipment. Assists in the direction of day-to-day operations of the CSS department. Resolves routine department questions to assist and relieve the manager of involvement in minor details. Assures proper use of prescribed methods and procedures, and verifies conformity to standards of sterilization and safety. Performs all duties of the CSS Aide. May act as a charge person in the absence of the OR Operations Manager.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Performs decontamination procedures.
• Follows prescribed procedures and techniques for effective decontamination and personal safety.
• Disassembles and cleans instruments, trays, and basins manually and mechanically.
• 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. Loads and operates respiratory equipment dryer.
• Collects used items and equipment from patient units and other hospital departments.
• Daily provides direction and guidance to CSS Aides to assist in the decontamination process.

Performs preparation and packaging.

• Inspects linens for holes and cleanliness, folds in prescribed manner.
• Inspects all instruments for cleanliness and proper working order.
• Correctly arranges and assembles instrument sets, trays and various kits, checking for inclusion of all prescribed items.
• Wraps or packages items in prescribed manner, seals and correctly labels. Provides direction and guidance to CSS Aides to assure accuracy of preparation.
• Notifies SSC when unable to replace parts or equipment, deficiency in work area.
• Assures weight a limit of trays is not exceeded.

Performs sterilization procedures.

• Determines the correct method of sterilization and exposure requirements.
• Maintains and assures accuracy of lot control and traceability records for all items to be sterilized.
• Reads sterilizer cycle printouts for proper cycle parameters; initials and records required information, and notifies supervisor of questionable operation or failure.
• Places items correctly on sterilizer racks and operates sterilizers.
• Puts sterilized items away in CSS storage or returns to correct department.
• Performs sterilizer function tests and biological monitoring. Reports inaccuracies to Support Systems Coordinator.
• Cleans sterilizer chambers, drains and carts.

Performs distribution and inventory control.

• 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 rotation.
• Answers phone and delivers telephone requests for supplies to various departments.
• Restocks supplies on nursing units and in the Operating Room using a par level restock system, 2 to 3 times per week.
• Checks in and puts away supplies from outside vendors.
• Enters all supply issues and returns into the computer, 2 to 3 times per week.
• Follows procedure for Operating Room case cart system and instrument pick lists.
• Monthly removes outdated supplies from stock in CSS storage and par level stock areas on nursing units and the Operating Room.

Observes safety and infection control.

• Follows inf