Sterile Processing Technician

Overview

Ansible Government Solutions, LLC (Ansible) is currently seeking Sterile Processing Technicians (SPT) to support the Cheyenne VAMC Sterile Processing Service located at 2360 E. Pershing Blvd. Cheyenne, WY 82001. 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

• The technician receives contaminated instruments from the operating rooms, dental clinics, endoscopy, nursing units, eye clinics, wound care, podiatry and inspects these items for damage and ensures that they are in good working condition.  The technician determines correct method for decontamination and cleaning as per Instructions for Use (IFU) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the process that removes blood, tissue, bone fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by soaking, scrubbing, brushing, rinsing and use of ultrasonic equipment and automated washers. Removes items from washer disinfector and determines type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and operating room and clinic schedules.
• Assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner.
• Disassembles, check functionality, and troubleshoots complex surgical equipment prior to sterilization.
• Must assemble a full range of sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Assembles wide range from simple sets of four or five instruments to very complex sets of up to ninety or one-hundred instruments such as arthroscopic procedure sets, ear-nose-throat (ENT) procedure sets, lap chole sets, eye procedure sets, orthopedic, full mouth extraction, etc. 
• Assembles delicate micro-surgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set, ENT, plastic surgery, micro-surgical eye instruments, etc. These sets contain stainless steel instruments, titanium devices, screws, plates, and other prostheses which require expert care and careful attention.
• Disassembles, cleans, lubricates, reassembles, and sterilizes dental handpieces and numerous dental specialty instruments and trays.
• Selects correct sterilizing medium and cycles and operates sterilizer.
• Periodically monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests. 
• Properly loads and operates sterilizers such as Steam, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (V-Pro), disinfecting units (Trophon), and a high-level disinfecting scope re-processor unit (Medivators). The technician selects correct sterilization method for items to be sterilized and proper disinfecting processes for disinfection. The incumbent monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of steam and bacillus subtillis for evaluation of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers).
• Assembles and selects the correct sterilizing method for a variety of costly and delicate equipment such as flexible colonoscopies, flexible gastroscopes, bronchoscopes, choledochoscopes, resectoscope, and other flexible and rigid endoscopes.
• Properly handles sterilized trays, sets, and retrieves peel-packs from sterilizers. May perform duties to include post sterilization inspections of instruments sets to observe peel pouches are properly sealed, sterilization containers were properly closed and sealed, and wraps remained intact and taped.)  After sterilization, the chemical indicators (the one place in peel pouches, and on container label cards) and indicators tapes acts as a visual indicator that the item or package has been exposed to the physical conditions of a sterilizing cycle, by changing colors or manipulating shapes.
• Observe obvious identifiers that sterilization has been performed properly (peel pouches chemical indicator changes, tape indicator changes, etc.)   The incumbent places a stamped date and control number on each sterilized item indicating the sterilization date.
• Stocks sterile items on shelves or delivery carts on a first-in, first-out basis for rotation. Receives sterilized trays, sets, and equipment from the sterilizer, checks for effectiveness of sterilization (color change on marker tapes, dampness of the packages), place tags on sterilized material indicating date of sterilization and expiration date, and stocks shelves with sterilized material. 
• Sterile Processing best practice comprehension is necessary.  Such practices such as on how to prepare instruments to be sterilized by placing them in the proper carrier (peel pouch, sterilization wraps, and sterilization containers).  Instrument preparations for: peel packs (tip cover installation and package sealing), sterilization wrapping (placement of instruments, proper tape placement, and vessels placement inside a wrap), and tray assembly (proper instrument loading).  In addition, as ensuring chemical sterilization indicator is included in each instrument peel pack, sterilization wraps, or sterilization container prior to sterilization. A Thorough knowledge of medical and surgical terminology, infection control, human anatomy, and physiology is required so the incumbent can select the right instrument sets, packs, and specialized instruments to assemble the procedure assemblies with only the diagnosis or name of the operation to be performed available to him/her. In addition, knowledge for aseptic techniques for instrument retrieval and distribution.  A knowledge of Sterile Processing practices to perform duties. Understanding of methods of identification if an instrument has been sterilized or has not.
• Work in an independent manner throughout the Sterile Processing Service decontamination, preparation, endo scope reprocessing, throughout the medical facility, around clinics, operating rooms, and instrument storage core. The employee will accommodate special and emergent requirements through consultation and coordination with the medical/surgical professional staff and SPS leadership.
• Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment. This is accomplished by scheduled training sessions that include instructional webinars, lectures, demonstrations, and keeping abreast of new developments and techniques by reading sterilization periodic journals and literature and maintaining communications with manufacturer representatives. The incumbent may provide training and orientation to medical personnel on sterile supply techniques and procedures.
• May be exposed to access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. The incumbent is responsible for; a) protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration or unauthorized deletions, and b) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release, or access codes, etc., as set forth in a computer access agreement which the incumbent signs.
• May interact with various customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.  Provides the customer with consistent information per established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.  Assembles and loads clinics and operating room carts according to schedules and fills special and emergency request for supplies. 
• Advises medical personnel on availability of instrumentation, possible substitutes, and effective use of equipment. 
• Equipment (10%) Operates a wide range of Sterile Processing Service equipment; Ultrasonics, washer/disinfectors, dental service units, Trophon, Automated Endoscopic re-processors, Leak testers, Insulation tester, electronic or manual leak testers, endoscopic flushing devices, Pre-vacuum steam sterilizers, gravity sterilizers, Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilizers, Cart and utensil washers, heat sealers and biological incubators.
• Receives contaminated instruments from the operating rooms, dental clinics, endoscopy, nursing units, eye clinics, wound care, podiatry and inspects these items for damage and ensures that they are in good working condition.  The technician determines correct method for decontamination and cleaning as per Instructions for Use (IFU) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the process that removes blood, tissue, bone fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by soaking, scrubbing, brushing, rinsing and use of ultrasonic equipment and automated washers.

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.