INSTRUMENT TECH

Overview

The Instrument Technician’s primary responsibility is decontamination, cleaning, processing and assembling of surgical instrumentation; storing and distributing sterile and non-sterile surgical devices used for patient care in surgery and other departments; maintain accurate records of all surgical equipment/instrumentation issued through Central Service sterile processing.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminates, inspects, assembles, wraps and sterilizes surgical instruments and minor floor trays in accordance with department policy and procedure.
• Demonstrates appropriate cleaning and care of power equipment, scopes, and complex instrumentation following manufactures recommendation.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of clinical soaking for high level disinfection using safety precautions
• Retrieves soiled equipment and instruments from nursing units and Surgery as outlined in department guidelines. Makes Additional Soiled round as necessary.
• Disinfects durable medical equipment according to departmental policy and procedure
• Checks sterile room for “back-up” sterile instruments daily and replenishes as necessary.
• Operates steam sterilizer, washer sterilizer, sonic cleaner, Sterrad, sterilizer and heat sealer.
• Runs a daily biological test in any sterilizer used and records load contents prior to sterilization.
• Maintains a back-up inventory of instruments to replace broken instruments. Initiates orders for new instruments. Keeps Charge Nurse, Surgery aware of replacement needs.
• Maintains ongoing communication with various instrument vendors to assure knowledge of new developments, processing techniques and products as appropriate.
• Works with instrument repair/refurbishing vendor to assure accurate/timely/ comprehensive service.
• Communicates with team leaders, core tech, and charge nurse regarding borrowed equipment, needs for total joint trays to be wrapped and prepare trays completely for return.
• Sets priorities based on needs to assure efficient and safe patient care.
• Assists in training of new associates.
• Assists manager/Supervisor, Sterile Processing, in identifying instruments and supply needs.
• Coordinates and communicates critical information with the Surgery Department, through documentation in instrumentation sets, verbally, etc.
• Handles and stores sterile supplies; assuring that package integrity is not compromised.
• Assists in other duties, including answering phones/doorbells.

• Maintains a good working relationship with the Surgery Department.

• Maintains Instrument workroom by:

• Cleaning and disinfecting all work surfaces daily
• Dust shelves and instrument bins monthly
• Controls traffic in and out of processing area and assures proper attire is worn.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Preferred Experience as a Instrument Technician in a Sterile Processing Department 
• Education  HS Diploma/GED 
• Completion  of an accredited Sterile Processing Program 
• Certification:  CRCST and or CIS, CER