Sterile Processing Technician

Overview

Ansible Government Solutions, LLC (Ansible) is currently seeking Sterile Processing Technicians (SPT) to support the NY Harbor Healthcare System Manhattan campus located at 423 E 23 Street, New York, NY 10010. The schedule is typically Monday-Friday and weekends as needed. SPTs work in decontamination, sterilization, examination, assembly, packaging, receiving, storing, and distribution of supply items to wards, clinic units, and Operating Rooms throughout the healthcare system.

Ansible Government Solutions, LLC (Ansible) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) providing Federal customers with solutions in many arenas. Our customers face wide-ranging challenges in the fields of national security, health care, and information technology. To address these challenges, we employ intelligent and committed staff who take care of our customers’ success as if it is their own.

Responsibilities

1. Decontamination Area:
   • Operate all decontamination equipment in special area receiving “soiled” and contaminated material.
   • Identify, decontaminate, and systematically segregate reusable items for preparation, reprocessing and redistribution.
   • Identify and receive contaminated surgical instruments, trays, endoscopes, powered drills and saws, from all areas in the medical center while prioritizing among instruments required for surgical procedures in the OR.
   • Select proper methods, based on manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFU), for cleaning and disinfecting all RMDs. These include using a variety of brushes, applicators, pipe cleaners, cavitation in an ultrasonic washer, scrubbing in a detergent solution, and/or processing in a washer-disinfector, scope washer, or other such decontaminating unit.
   • Disassemble and inspect items for damage or missing components and ensure removal of bioburden for cleanliness; operate equipment and instruments to ensure proper functioning prior to sterilization or redistribution.
   • For flexible endoscopes, perform leak tests; initiate cleaning according to manufacturer's instructions.
   • Responsible for the inspection, disassembly, cleaning, and routine maintenance of sophisticated surgical devices such as bronchoscopes, sigmoidoscopes, cystoscopes, laparoscopic cameras, drills, saws, reamers and a wide variety of lumen devices.
   • Is aware of and adheres to the IAHCSMM and ANSI/AAMI ST79 standards, AORN standards, Infection Control and CDC guidelines. Follows the VHA Directive 1116 once SPS VANYHHS education training completed.
   • Personnel engaged in the collection or removal of soiled/contaminated supplies and equipment, as well as those individuals working in the decontamination area will wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
   • Read, understand and follow all manufacturers’ instructions on cleaning RMD. Follow and adhere to department High Risk Protocols (HRPs) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manufacturer's guidelines.
   • Read and understand Material Safety Data Sheets.
   • Perform and document quality assurance checks.
2. Preparation and Assembly Area:
   • Receive from decontamination area all RMD requiring assembly into packs, instrument sets, and a wide variety of other components for surgery and other treatment areas.
   • Assemble instruments, complex instrument sets, and other surgical items and trays and arranges them in the correct manner to ensure appropriate sterilization. Assemble complex instrument sets containing as many as two hundred varied instruments which must be inspected for damage such as pitting, rust, cracks, bends, sharpness, proper locking ability, jaw alignment, residual blood and tissue, etc.
   • Has the ability to process even the most complicated procedural sets containing unusual and minutely varied instrumentation such as the Vascular tray, Casper, Orthopedic Specialty, Cataract, Lap Cholecystectomy and other such sets containing very specific and complex instrumentation.
   • Aware of aseptic technique and proper wrapping methods to allow the user to open the product in an aseptic manner.
   • Produce a compact, logically arranged package which is within the proper weight limits appropriate for assured sterilization.
   • Inspect and select the appropriate wrapping materials and sterilization packaging. Use external and internal chemical indicators, label all packages correctly with a felt tip marker, initials all products as is required by VHA Directive 1116.
   • Inspect instruments for proper functioning, scissors for sharpness, box locks for tightness, towel clamps and hemostats for proper functioning jaws, rough edges on ring handles, jaws, ratchets, and shanks (burrs or nicks).
   • Inspect for cleanliness and corrosion.
   • Washes hands frequently and enforces proper work, people, and airflow.
   • Properly and safely load, operate and troubleshoot a variety of sterilizers including but not limited to: steam, hydrogen peroxide plasma (VPro, STERRAD) and ethylene oxide (EtO).
   • Additionally, perform all quality assurance testing and documentation required for each sterilizer.
   • Follow and adhere to department High Risk Protocols (HRPs) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manufacturer's guidelines.
   • High Level Disinfection Area (HLD): a. Wear proper protective apparel and equipment at all times.
   • Properly transport all items for HLD process before and after processing.
   • Inspect items for HLD process, and process following department High Risk Protocols (HRPs) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manufacturer's guidelines for reprocessing.
   • Perform all functions of the HLD process including documentation and quality assurance procedures.
   • Properly and safely load and operate the automated endoscope reprocessors and other HLD equipment (e.g., TD 100, Trophon) as needed.
3. Sterilization:
   • Efficiently schedule operation of sterilizers to permit cooling or aeration of sterilized items prior to use by clinics or the operating room.
   • Select the correct sterilizing method (steam, ethylene oxide and hydrogen peroxide) according to the materials being processed.
   • Prepare test packs and run biological indicators in accordance with the VHA Directive 1116 and manufacturer’s instruction for use.
   • Label all sterilized items with the sterilization date, machine number and load number.
   • Inspect chemical indicators on each package for a positive indication of exposure to the sterilant.
   • Inspect all products for package integrity and residual moisture.
   • Review and sign all sterilizer print-out to verify the proper sterilization time, temperature, pressure, humidity and sterilant exposure.
   • Record all items sterilized; maintains records, for three years, on all sterilizer loads; maintains additional records on all implants sterilized.
   • Quarantine all implants for three (3) hours before release in accordance with the VHA Directive 1116.
   • Store RMD without compromising the sterility of the package.
   • Assemble and load clinic and operating room supplies on shelves or carts according to schedules.
   • Fill special emergency requests for sterile RMD.
   • Monitor performance of sterilizers and aerators with prescribed tests.
   • Notify supervisor of sterilizer malfunctions and low sterilant supplies.
   • Record biological spore results, and, in the event of a positive culture, initiate the recall of RMD while also notifying the appropriate individuals in the medical center according to policy.
   • Follow and adhere to department High Risk Protocols (HRPs) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manufacturer's guidelines.
4. Case Cart Area:
   • Follow facility protocol on OR case cart process and sterile storage area regulations. Responsible for setting up OR Case Carts with instruments/trays required for surgical cases scheduled in the Operating Room on a daily basis in accordance with the OR Schedule and Procedure List
   • Maintain appropriate sets in sterile/clean area.
   • Rotate stock as needed.
   • Clean loading carts, delivery carts, specialty carts, work areas, storage shelves, using chemical solutions and detergents, according to written procedure, or as needed, to prevent cross-contamination.
   • Receive periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of medical supplies, instruments, and equipment.
   • Train in new and improved sterilization practices and developments in microbiology, bacteriology and therapeutic practices as they affect the sterile supply operation.
   • Understand and follow all manufacturers’ instructions on equipment used.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications Standards (1) Contractor Education/Experience: Possess a high school education or equivalency and have three (3) years of experience demonstrating the ability to perform sterile processing techniques and services in an acute care facility with general surgery, orthopedic, cardio-thoracic, vascular, neuro/spine, eye, ENT, laparoscopic and robotic surgical services, as well as services using flexible endoscopes. Contractor Personnel shall possess a valid IAHCSMM certification or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). Level II certification – Veterans Affairs Certification, preferred. Certification shall be provided to points of contacts as requested herein.
• Minimum of three (3) years recent sterile processing technician experience
• Holds and maintains an active BLS certification
• Must be able to accomplish routine work with minimum oversight; required to perform duties on own initiative

All candidates must be able to:

• Sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift
• Lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist
• Lift up to 20 lbs
• Carry up to 40 lbs a reasonable distance
• Push/pull with 30 lbs of force

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.