Sterile Processing Technician, Operating Room, Full Time Days

With over 150 years of caring for our community and each other in the Washington DC area, Howard University Hospital has a world-renowned reputation for high-quality, patient-centric care. Howard University Hospital is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a Historically Black University and has created a superior learning environment, with groundbreaking research and positive patient outcomes.
Howard University Hospital seeks to hire a Sterile Processing Technicianwho will embrace our rich and historic tradition of excellence. If you want to make a difference in someone’s life every day, consider a position with a team of professionals who are doing just that, making a difference.
The Sterile Processing Technician performs all aspects of reprocessing and distribution activities in support of the department’s customer base. Duties are performed in strict compliance with Howard and regulatory agencies’ policies and procedures, including the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), state and/or local government, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Joint Commission standards.
The hours for this full-time position are five 8-hour Days, 9:00 am-5:30 pm, every other weekend rotation.

The Sterile Processing Technician:

• Operates, monitors, and cleans processing equipment. Performs decontamination, assembly, sterilization, case cart preparation, instrument, supply inventory, and processing duties as required.
• Cleans and operates all departmental decontamination and sterilization equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s and hospital guidelines. Utilizes manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning and sterilizing instruments.
• Completes and maintains records of all Sterile Processing functions required to meet Quality Assurance, Joint Commission, and other regulatory agencies’ standards
• Processes rigid flexible scopes and power equipment, lubricating them according to the manufacturer's specifications.
• Checks procedure trays and instrument sets for accuracy and consistency ensuring that they are in good working condition. Ensures all instruments in Sterile Processing are placed in their proper locations.
• Follows departmental policy of receiving and returning loaner instruments.
• Takes inventory of and restocks and maintains peel pack levels on a daily basis. Ensures the necessary supplies, instrument sets, and peel packs are put on the case cart as required indicating any item not available or creating a priority list.
• Conducts daily biological tests and verification tests for specified equipment.
• Reports incidents and/or injuries to the Team Leader or manager.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are related and appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered all-inclusive.

​​​​​​Key competencies required include:

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of anatomy, sterilization procedures, surgical procedures, aseptic techniques, and the care of instruments.
• Working knowledge of medical/surgical terminology.
• Competent in cleaning and operating steam autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, and quick rinse equipment
• Ability to use independent judgment
• Ability to properly operate decontamination and sterilization equipment.
• Ability to work as an individual and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle a high-stress environment in a calm manner
• Processes basic computer skills
• Processes good communication skills

• High school diploma or GED required
• BLS certification through AHA required
• Registered Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) certification is strongly preferred, or to acquire within 1 year.
• In lieu of SPT certification, (1) year comparable OR or SPT experience in an ambulatory or acute hospital setting. Certification will be required within 1 year.

At Howard University Hospital our job is to care for you. We do this by offering:

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans offered (including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403B retirement plan)
• 100% Tuition remission for you and your dependent children at Howard University.
  

COVID-19 Vaccination:

Howard University Hospital requires all external applicants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before commencing employment. External Applicants may be required to furnish proof of vaccination and, if offered, may elect to be vaccinated at a designated Howard University Hospital location.
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