Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Within the context of a client service culture and in accordance with the established vision and values of the organization, works as a member of an integrated team and assists in ensuring that the overall equipment/supply requirements within a fast paced, a high volume medical device reprocessing environment are met. Duties include maintaining efficient workflow and the instrument management tracking system, as well as providing work direction to Technicians as required including decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, wrapping, sterilizing and distributing simple and complex instruments, equipment and linen related to the operating rooms and other areas of the hospital.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Provides work direction to technicians by performing duties such as assessing and prioritizing workload, monitoring breaks and redirecting staff to other sections to meet operational requirements. Ensures standards, procedures and safety protocols are followed. Corrects as required and refers problems to supervisor.
2. Performs duties such as scheduling and coordinating work assignments. Provides input in evaluating employee performance and determining related training and orientation requirements. Calls in relief staff in accordance with established procedures for various shifts such as evenings, nights, weekend and statutory holidays.
3. Decontaminates reusable supplies and equipment such as patient care items and surgical instruments by checking returned items for sharps, pre-washing as required, loading on headers and processing headers through the washers. Cleans equipment such as suction machines, infusion pumps and portable equipment, by hand washing utilizing appropriate solutions.
4. Operates equipment such as mechanical washers and sterilizers according to standard operating procedures and replenishes supplies such as disinfectants as required. Checks printed reports to ensure equipment is working within defined parameters and reports discrepancies to supervisor.
5. Tests portable equipment for proper working order by checking last service date, turning on and off to ensure equipment is working, and forwarding items in need of service to appropriate personnel/department for follow-up.
6. Ensures sterilizers are operating according to manufacturer’s specifications by having working knowledge of the specifications and ensuring the correct results. Conducts routine testing by utilizing standard test procedures such as air detection and biological indicators, monitors the efficiency of the sterilizer and advises the supervisor of any discrepancies with the routine test results. Maintains records of tests performed to comply with quality assurance standards.
7. Sorts, inspects, and reassembles procedure trays and operating room instrument sets by receiving decontaminated items, sorting each item according to pre-determined tray/set and reassembling trays/sets following procedure manuals to ensure accuracy.
8. Prepares equipment, instrument sets, procedure trays and supplies for sterilization by gathering necessary items, wrapping in disposable wrap, packaging in appropriate pouch, or placing in rigid sterilization containers as outlined in the procedures manuals.
9. Fills orders for equipment, supplies and operating room slates according to requests by gathering requested items, initialing form to indicate request has been filled and placed on either a case cart or in dispatch area. Checks Medical Device Reprocessing to ensure rotation of items and integrity of packaging; removes and replaces items as required.
10. Completes on-line requisitions to obtain implantable equipment such as screws and plates according to establish guidelines. Receives equipment and checks packing slip to ensure goods are received as ordered.
11. Maintains a safe and organized work environment by performing routine cleaning and tidying of work and storage areas accordingly to established guidelines. Cleans bins, trucks, storage drawers and decontamination area and replaces supplies/equipment in designated places.
12. Maintains accurate records of instruments and equipment loaned to wards, clinics and operating rooms by ensuring applicable forms and/or records are completed according to established procedures.
13. Participates in the orientation of new staff members by working alongside and/or demonstrating techniques as required.
14. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.
    
    

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Grade 12, successful completion of a recognized Medical Device Reprocessing course, plus two (2) years’ recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
  
  

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to deal with others effectively
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
• Ability to supervise
• Ability to organize work
• Ability to operate equipment