Central Sterile Services Department

**Purpose of Your Job Position**

The primary purpose of your job position is to perform the day-to-day activities of the Central sterile services department in accordance with standards, guidelines and regulations governing our facility.

**Delegation of Authority**

As the Central sterile services department technician, you are delegated the responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

**Job Functions**

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

**Job summary**

To develop the skills required to decontaminate, inspect and assemble reusable dental devices for use on patients in clinical areas across Sigal under the guidance of qualified staff. To develop the knowledge and skills through ongoing training and experience to provide full reprocessing of dental devices and ensure these are processed to an agreed specification in accordance with Departmental Procedures, To work as part of a multidisciplinary team within sterile services department to provide a quality assured service to all users of the department. Occasionally, in the absence of the Supervisor, open the department, carrying out daily checks on washers and autoclaves and logging the results using IT equipment.

**Materials And Equipment Directly Used**

**Standard equipment including: computer terminal, telephone, washer/decontaminator, sonic cleaner, sterilizer (steam), air compressor and biological incubator.**

**Working Environment/Physical Activities** Physical working environment may include, but not limited to, any of the following hazards: high pressure steam, chemical, electrical, mechanical, bio-waste, stress, back strain, etc.

**Environmental conditions may include, but not be limited to, variations in temperature, noise, odors, etc.** Pressure from high volume census to meet deadlines to obtain adequate instrumentation from end user **Extensive people contact and interruptions.** While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to constantly stand and walk. **The employee must be able to consistently support, push, pull and/or lift up to 25 pounds,**Functional physical demands include manual dexterity and fine motor skills and reaching the following senses will be needed for essential duties of the job: speech, vision, hearing, smell and touch (i.e., tactile differentiation of temperature and moisture). Have no physical limitations as to lifting trays of instruments (above the head), pushing, pulling carts from sterilizer, walking, and standing for duration of shift.

**Duties and Responsibilities**

PRINCIPAL DUTIES The conduct and recording of checks on all types of processing equipment, and timely reporting of problems / faults The correct dismantling and checking of instruments / equipment as appropriate The correct use of all types of processing equipment whether for cleaning or sterilization purposes The correct assembly and checking of instruments / equipment as appropriate The correct packing / labelling / sealing of instruments / equipment as appropriate.

**SOILED EQUIPMENT PROCESSING**

Unload collection trolleys in washroom.

Scan all returned trackable equipment into computer system

Check returned sets against checklist and load into washer baskets,

Report any errors in tray content to supervisor and user department and register in Non-Compliance Register

Prioritise sets for processing Where necessary, dismantle instruments for thorough decontamination

Load soiled equipment into washer/disinfector, select appropriate process and start cycle

Check chemical levels and replenish as necessary, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Decontaminate transport trolleys and containers after emptying dirty contents.

Ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to when handling hazardous substances

Ensure safe moving and handling techniques are employed when lifting equipment

Ensure appropriate PPE is used at all times in the Washroom

Keep work tops clean and swabbed regularly

**INSPECTION AND PACKING PROCESS**

Prioritise sets to be processed

Document sets in computer and produce checklist.

Perform close and careful inspection procedure to ensure instruments have been properly and adequately cleaned Return rejected sets to decontamination Room for re-processing

Check set contents against checklist and sign off when complete

Confirm function of instruments; re-assemble instruments which have been dismantled for washing and check function; take corrective action if required. Identify instruments requiring repair and log into Repairs Record Book Remove any single use items from circulation

Be familiar with all types of packing materials and