POSITION DESCRIPTION

Role Title: Sterile Supply Technician

Reports To:Unit Manager, Sterile Services

Directorate:Surgical

Direct Reports: Nil

Location: Central Sterile Supply Department: 2nd Floor Clinical Services Building, Dunedin Hospital

Theatre Sterile Supply Unit: 5th floor Clinical Services Building, Dunedin Hospital

ROLE OF THE DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD
Our Vision:
  • Better Health, Better Lives, Whanau Ora.
Our Mission:
  • We work in partnership with people and communities to achieve their optimum health and wellbeing.
  • We seek excellence through a culture of learning, enquiry, service and caring.
The Southern Way:
  • The community and patients are at the centre of everything we do
  • We are a single unified DHB which values and supports its staff
  • We are a high performing organisation with a focus on quality
  • We provide clinically and financially sustainable services to the community we serve
  • We work closely with the entire primary care sector to provide the right care in the right place at the right time and to improve the health of the community
Our Statutory Purpose:
  • To improve, promote and protect the health of our population.
  • Promote the integration of health services across primary and secondary care services.
  • Seek the optimum arrangement for the most effective and efficient delivery of health services.
  • Promote effective care or support for those in need of personal health or disability support services.
  • Promote the inclusion and participation in society and the independence of people with disabilities.
  • Reduce health disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population groups
  • Foster community participation in health improvement, and in planning for the provision of, and changes to the provision of services.
  • Uphold the ethical and quality standards expected of us and to exhibit a sense of social and environmental responsibility.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To provide sterilisation services by way of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of products for supply to clients within the Southern District Health Board and External clients.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
The Sterile Supply Technician is required to contribute to all areas of practice that are undertaken within Sterile Services with particular reference to:
  • Ensuring that all instruments and medical devices are processed to meet the needs of clients within policies, procedures and required compliance standards
  • Maintaining good relationships with clients to assist with service delivery that meets clients clinical and practice needs
  • The regard for the health and safety of staff, patients, and visitors, within the departments
  • Maintaining respect for patient confidentiality and understand the ethic’s required in a hospital

ORGANISATIONAL COMPETENCIES
Customer Focus / Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Integrity and Trust / Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
Drive For Results / Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; Is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
ROLE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Informing / Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs and to feel good about being a member of the team, unit, and/or the organization; provides individuals information so that they can make accurate decisions; is timely with information.
Priority Setting / Spends his/her time and the time of others on what’s important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks, creates focus.
Listening / Practices attentive and active listening; has the patience to hear people out; can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he/she disagrees.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
Colleagues
Theatre staff
Nursing staff
Medical staff
Anaesthetic Technicians
Maintenance staff
Orderlies
Purchasing staff
Theatre Suite Assistants
Health Care Assistants / External
Medical Centres
Midwives
Trust Hospitals
Private Hospitals
Service contractors
Courier representatives
New Zealand Blood Services
Other Healthcare Facilities
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Essential Criteria
  • NZSSA Certificate in Sterilising Technology or recognised equivalent
  • Relevant work experience from either Sterile Services, CSSD or TSSU departments
Experience/Knowledge
  • Adaptable to change
  • Reliable and conscientious
  • Ability to learn technical and complex processes in prescribed timeframe
  • Able to work within a team and support team members to meet the department’s goals and
objectives
  • Able to work varying hours as rostered
  • Able to work to department standards accurately and meet service timeframes
  • Exhibits a professional work ethic
  • Able to communicate effectively with colleagues and with Southern DHB staff and members of the public at all levels
  • Able to use initiative to problem solve within training parameters, and knows when to seek guidance
  • Demonstrates knowledge of patient confidentiality
  • Willing to enrol and attain the Certificate in Sterilising Technology in prescribed timeframe (2 years from appointment) if not already attained

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES / DELIVERABLES / EXAMPLE MEASURES
Collection of used instruments and medical devices / Used equipment is returned for processing
The correct transport method is used as outlined in procedures
Collected equipment is recorded on appropriate form / Transports used instruments and medical devices to meet service and organisation policies and procedures
Cleaning and decontamination of used instruments and medical devices / Appropriate method of cleaning is used on instruments and medical devices as outlined in cleaning procedures
Chemicals that are used are appropriate for task and manufacturer’s instructions are followed
Washers are loaded correctly and operated safely to facilitate the cleaning process
All Associated equipment in decontamination area is operational and clean
Daily checks on Associated equipment in decontamination area are completed, meets parameters and is documented
Hygiene of decontamination area maintained
Cleaning materials are available and clean/decontaminated as outlined in procedure
Washers are unloaded to maintain cleanliness of instruments and medical devices / Instruments and medical devices are cleaned and decontaminated to meet service procedures
Actively ensures associated equipment is maintained in operational and functional condition
Maintains a clean and functional work environment at all times
Types and use of cleaning materials reflects service procedures
Dirty to clean traffic flow is maintained to eliminate contamination of clean instruments and medical devices
Instruments and medical devices are packaged ready for sterilisation / Instruments and medical devices are checked for cleanliness and function before packaging
Instrument trays are complete with correct contents
Instruments and medical devices are packed into appropriate packaging materials as outlined in packing instructions and reflects method of sterilisation
Instruments and medical devices are labelled and ready for sterilisation
Instruments and medical devices are packed to promote sterilisation / Packed instruments and medical devices are fit for purpose to meet clinical needs
Competencies in packaging all instruments and medical devices are continuously met
Instruments and medical devices are packaged and labelled correctly to reflect packing instructions for that specific equipment
All sterilisers are monitored, tested and operated correctly / Sterilisers are loaded according to procedures and reflects validation process
Sterilisers are operated according to procedures
Sterilised loads are unloaded to maintain sterility in accordance with procedures
The correct method of sterilisation is used to sterilise instruments and medical devices
All loads are documented in accordance with procedures
All testing and monitoring activities are checked and results recorded
Sterilisation processes meet quality assurance parameters / Operates sterilisers to meet service and organisation policies and procedures
Demonstrates a sound knowledge of sterilisation principles for all types of sterilisation methods
Requirements for the completion of all documentation is met
Discrepancies in attaining sterilising parameters are identified and action taken immediately to reflect service procedures minimising risk
Action is taken to minimise steriliser downtime
All Associated Equipment meet quality assurance parameters and are operated correctly / All Associated equipment e.g. washers; dryers; ultrasonic cleaner; heat sealers; aerators are operational and daily tests completed and recorded / Operation of associated equipment meets functional parameters and documentation requirements are completed
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES / DELIVERABLES / EXAMPLE MEASURES
Sterile stock control; supply of products and monitoring for outdated products / Set stock levels are maintained and readily available to clients
Stock is rotated to reduce stock outdating and is checked weekly to identify and remove outdated stock, where applicable outdated stock is re-processed
All sterile stock is handled correctly to maintain sterility
Correct trolleys and containers used to transport clean/sterile products within Southern DHB
Orders are dispatched to external clients when required
Appropriate transport method used to return requirements to external clients
Loan equipment processed to meet needs of clients / Stock levels in clinical areas meet the imprest requirements
Stock in clinical areas is in-date
Clean and sterile stock is handled and transported to eliminate contamination
External client requirements are meet in the prescribed timeframe and transported to them fit for purpose
Processing of Loan instruments meet service procedures and clinical requirements
Maintaining a clean and tidy work environment
Non-operational equipment identified / All Associated equipment; sterilisers; benches and sinks; cupboards; storage units; workbenches; trolleys are cleaned according to schedule and procedures
Actively participates in preventative maintenance by identifying faulty equipment and requesting repairs
Maintenance for faulty instruments and medical devises is organised / Associated equipment and work environment is maintained in a clean and functional condition at all times
Faulty equipment is repaired promptly reducing service disruption
Ensures instruments and medical devices are fit for purpose
Required documentation is completed / All documents and records are completed to comply with quality assurance and compliance requirements
Activity is recorded to maintain departmental statistics / All documentation is completed and meets requirements
All entries onto documents is legible
Raw materials are available for use / Stock levels of raw materials used in processing instruments and medical devices are maintained to enable services to clients to be uninterrupted / Shortfalls in raw material stock levels are identified and action taken to replenish stock levels
Undertaking personal training and education as required
Continuous Quality Assurance Activities / Competency in key tasks maintained
Participates in quality assurance activities / Actively participates in all educational opportunities
Reads communication books and meeting minutes
Identifies and raises quality assurance initiatives
Supports quality assurance initiatives
Flexibility of departments maintained to meet service goals / Service goals meet clinical requirements within organisation and service policies and procedures
Maintains good relationship with clients to ensure their needs are met
Roster demands of service met / Follows instructions whether verbal or written
Adheres to policies and procedures
Tasks responsibilities and deadlines are met
Actively listens to clients feedback on service and acts on issues raised
Knows when to seek help
Provides information and feedback to clients on relative or potential issues
Trained to work in both TSSU and CSSD
Works all rostered duties in both TSSU and CSSD
Participates in rostered on call duties as required
Treaty of Waitangi / The Southern District Health Board is committed to its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. As an employee you are required to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi - Partnership, Participation and Protection. / Familiar with DHB’s cultural policies
Health and Safety / Foster and support commitment to achieving the highest level of health and safety, including identification and reporting of all hazards, assistance in resolving issues that may cause harm to staff, and working safely at all times. / Demonstrates competence in emergency procedures, e.g. fire, and CPR.
Completes Fire, CPR training and updates regularly as required by DHB’s policies and procedures. Identifies, take appropriate action and promptly reports clinical, Occupational Safety & Health and security incidents.
Quality and Performance / Maintain professional and organisational quality standards.
Ensure delivered work is planned, delivered, and implemented consistently against quality standards.
Continuously identify improvement opportunities to perform job in most effective manner.
Investigate opportunities to achieve goals in a more efficient way. / Performance is in alignment with HR quality audit standards, organisational requirements, and professional standards.

Note: The above example measures are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this position will require further discussion between the job holder and manager.

I have read and understand the above job description:

Name: ______

Signed:______

Date: ______