Central Sterile Processing Instrument Specialist

At UConn Health, this position is responsible for decontaminating, processing, assembling, sterilizing and storing surgical instrumentation and medical equipment and assembles case carts for surgical procedures. This position will work in the Central Sterile Supply department which includes Sterile Processing & Distribution in the CT Tower, Sterile Supply in the Main OR-University Tower and UConn Health Surgery Center in the Muskuloskeletal Institute, rotation to all Central Sterile and Distribution areas is required.

SCHEDULE: Full time, 40 hours per week, 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with flexibility to work other assigned shifts to accommodate OR schedules, holidays, weekends and on-call are required, 30 minute unpaid meal break.

SUPERVISION RECIEVED: Works under the general supervision of the Assistant Supervisor of Central Sterile Processing and Distribution or other employee of higher grade.

EXERCISED SUPERVISION: May lead lower level Central Sterile Processing and Distribution Department staff as assigned in the performance of technical duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

Knowledge of operating room instruments and operative procedures; knowledge of all equipment and supplies of Central Sterile Processing and Distribution Department and methods for cleaning, preparation, sterilization and maintenance for required use; interpersonal skills; ability to keep records and prepare reports; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; manual dexterity and mechanical aptitude.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

General Experience: Two (2) years of experience in a hospital setting involved in the sterilization, decontamination, processing, assembly, storing and distribution of surgical instrumentation, supplies, devices and equipment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Incumbents in this class must have been employed or otherwise contracted for services as a central service technician in a health care facility before January 1, 2016 or obtain and retain one of the following:

A Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) credential administered by the International Association of Healthcare Central Services Material Management (IAHCSMM).

OR

A Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) credential administered by the Certified Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution Inc. (CBSPD).

NOTE: Credentialing must be obtained not later than two (2) years after date of hire.

Incumbents in this class must complete a minimum of ten (10) hours of continuing education annually. The continuing education shall be in areas related to the functions of central service technician.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS: Currently working in OR Central Sterilization and current Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) credentials administered by the Certified Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution Inc. (CBSPD).

WORKING CONDITIONS: Incumbents in this class may occasionally be required to lift and carry trays of surgical instruments and linen, may have minimal exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: Sets up case carts to correspond with operating room schedules; maintains schedules and carts for emergency cases as necessary; acts as liaison to Operating Room Supervisor and surgeons, primarily to set up, maintain and update card index of individual surgeon instrument preferences so that operating room case carts can be set up accordingly; inspects instruments and keeps inventory including maintenance of set reserve levels, rotation of trays in storage, checking expiration dates; assists with distribution, processing and decontamination of supplies and equipment as required; responsible for maintenance of selected items; responsible for cleaning, processing, sterilization and assembly of some anesthesia equipment and related operating room equipment; maintains a clean and orderly supply area; informs supervisor of problems and needs in daily operation of operating room system; collects and maintains instructional materials regarding operating room instruments including development of a procedure book on all activities related to position; assists in training new employees; performs related duties as required.

FULL TIME EQUIVALENT MINIMUM SALARY: $48,876.00, $23.41 hourly

UConn Health is a vibrant, integrated academic medical center that is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care. A commitment to human health and well-being has been of utmost importance to UConn Health since the founding of the University of Connecticut schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine in 1961. Based on a strong foundation of groundbreaking research, first-rate education, and quality clinical care, we have expanded our medical missions over the decades. In just over 50 years, UConn Health has evolved to encompass more research endeavors, to provide more ways to access our superior care, and to innovate both practical medicine and our methods of educating the practitioners of tomorrow.