SPD Tech II Central Sterilization

Founded in 1955 Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a 394-bed acute care nonprofit community hospital located in Northridge California. The hospital offers a full complement of award winning services including the Leavey Cancer Center a cardiovascular center stroke center the Center for Assault Treatment Services a pediatric medical center and the only pediatric trauma center in the San Fernando Valley. As a leading provider of compassionate high-quality and affordable patient-centered care we share a rich legacy with Dignity Health one of the nation’s five largest health care systems. We are part of a 21-state network of nearly 9000 physicians 62000 employees and more than 400 care centers. Visit dignityhealth.org/northridgehospital for more information.

Sterile Process Tech II 

Central Sterilization 

The Sterile Processing Tech II is responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, packaging and sterilizing all instruments and equipment from all areas of the facility as well as the operation and care of same equipment and instruments. Knowledge of instrument processing techniques, including but not limited to cleaning, decontamination, assembly and sterilization.

• Cleans and decontaminates surgical instruments and other medical equipment following established policy and procedure.
• Inspects, assembles, packages and sterilizes medical devices following manufacturer's recommendations and established procedure.
• Operates cleaning and sterilization equipment in the department according to manufacturer's recommendations and established procedure.
• Performs biological tests and maintains recording devices on all autoclaves.
• Inspects instruments to ascertain good working condition. Sends instruments out for repair or sharpening as needed.
• Maintains neat, orderly work areas and sterile fields when in operating rooms.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of the principles of sterilization, asepsis, infection control and universal safety precautions.
• Prepares self and work area for potential emergencies, such as fire and earthquakes.
• Demonstrates organizational skills, cost-consciousness and quality assurance procedures in performance of job tasks.
• Effectively communicates , both written and verbal, with co-workers and supervisory staff as necessary to ensure effective functioning of operating room activities
• Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment and fills surgical case cart requisitions using hospital computer system.
• Complies with established Hospital and departmental policies, protocols, procedures and objectives,
• Establishes and maintains professional, cooperative interpersonal relationships with other staff members, physicians, patients, patient family members, and the public as appropriate, while assuring confidentiality of all patient information.
• Assembles, inspects, wraps and labels all O.R. sets including specialty sets per department protocol according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Assists in maintaining supply levels of all items required for department stock, communicating with those responsible for ordering.
• Must be able to articulate on soaps and detergents, methods of packaging, types of sterilization methods and parameters, infection control practices, high-level disinfection practices and safe practices in Sterile Processing.
• Reports broken instrumentation and equipment.
• Independently operates all equipment of SPD.
• Able to handle flexible scopes after manual cleaning has been completed.
• Effectively communicates , both written and verbal, with co-workers and supervisory staff as necessary to ensure effective functioning of operating room activities.
• Will act as preceptor, mentor and role model for other staff members and/or assist with departmental orientation as required.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

• Minimum of two years experience with surgical instrumentation required.
• Minimum two years prior sterile processing or surgical tech experience required. 
• Completion of a Sterile Processing Program or surgical tech program required.
• High School Graduate or equivalent required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution preferred.
• Certified and Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Surgical Technologist Certification (CST) required.
• CRCST required within 6 months of hire/transfer for Certified Surgical Technologists.
• All certifications are required through HSPA.
• Knowledge of specialty instruments and thorough knowledge of disinfecting and sterilization procedures required.
• Current AHA BLS card required
• Fire Card (within 90 days of hire) required.

This position is represented by SEIU-UHW and is covered by the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.