Sterile Processing Technician I/II

THE POSITION: Under close supervision, Sterile Processing Technicians are assigned to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) or Santa Paula Hospital and responsible for decontamination, inspection, testing, sorting, assembling, packaging, distributing and collecting a variety of reusable medical and surgical equipment, instrumentation and supplies, and operating autoclave in the sterilization of same; perform related duties as required.

NEW HIRE/RETENTION/REFERRAL INCENTIVES: Subject to the applicable section of the SEIU 721 MOA 2019-2022, Amendment #6 (Secs. 3801 – 3803):

• In compliance with specific requirements, effective 10/12/2022 a regular employee may be eligible for an Employee Referral Incentive of $500.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Sterile Processing Technician I is the entry level classification in the Sterile Processing Technician series and reports to the Sterile Processing Director. Incumbents receive initial training in the techniques and procedures essential to the classification's duties.

The Sterile Processing Technician I is distinguished from the Sterile Processing Technician II in that the latter is the fully qualified journey level in the series.

The Sterile Processing Technician I is a natural progression underfill for the classification of Sterile Processing Technician II. Incumbents are eligible to promote to the Sterile Processing Technician II after obtaining the necessary experience and requirements.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES
Sterile Processing Technician I:  $17.05 - $23.88 per hour
Sterile Processing Technician II:  $18.31 - $25.63 per hour

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE:  Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive.  This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE:   Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department.  In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency exam.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY:  Health Care Agency - Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital

Sterile Processing Technician I and Sterile Processing Technician II are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies for these positions only. There are currently two (2) Regular and three (3) Intermittent vacancies.

NOTE:  If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 
OPENING DATE:  January 1, 2022                                                                   
CLOSING DATE:  Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Inspects, tests, cleans, decontaminates, and sterilizes returned reusable, supplies and instrumentation, ensuring all parts have been returned and are operable, selecting appropriate cleaning agents and decontamination and sterilization processes;
• Makes equipment rounds and return soiled equipment to SPD; clean equipment per manufacturer's recommendations and validate functionality prior to storage;
• Answers phones;
• Operates all equipment in Sterile Processing including, but not limited to, steam sterilizers, plasma sterilizers, automated endoscope Reprocessors, biological incubators, heat sealers, instrument and cart washers;
• Identifies and assembles medical and surgical instrumentation and supplies using count sheets; package in accordance with sterilization modality to be used; generate and attach labels; sterilize, and if required, aerate.
• Assembles instruments; distributes sterilized supplies and patient care equipment, check correctness of requisitions and accuracy of inventory and issue supplies;
• Creates and maintains accurate, inventory, sterilization, and testing records and logs using a computer, laser wand, or scanner for barcode entry; run reports.
• Stores and maintains all sterile supplies; stock and maintain processing areas; clean and test sterilizers; keep storage areas clean and orderly; inspect, fold and stack sterilized linen;
• Ensures that the department policies and procedures are followed; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Sterile Processing Technician I:
Option 1: Six (6) months of experience in an acute care hospital operating sterilizing equipment and cleaning surgical instruments and equipment.

Option 2: Successful completion of a Central Service Technician/Sterile Processing Technician or Surgical Technician course within the last eighteen (18) months from a school accredited by the International Association of Health Care Services Material Management (IAHCSMM) OR the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) OR Perdue.

Option 3: Certification from the International Association of Health Care Services Material Management (IAHCSMM) OR the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) OR National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) OR Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) OR American Surgical Technician Association (ASA).

Sterile Processing Technician II:
Two (2) years' experience as a Sterile Processing Technician, in an acute care hospital operating sterilizing equipment and cleaning surgical instruments and equipment.

AND

CERTIFICATION: Must possess certification as a Central Service Technician/Sterile Processing Technician from one of the following:

•The International Association of Health Care Services Material Management (IAHCSMM)
•Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)
•National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA)
•Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)
•American Surgical Technician Association (ASA)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to work various work schedules.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. These requirements are a condition of employment. Depending on assignment and work location(s), successful candidates for this position will be required to submit proof of vaccination and/or booster against COVID-19 or request an exemption for qualifying medical or religious reasons during the onboarding process.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Basic knowledge of: instrument processing techniques, including but not limited to decontamination, assembly, and sterilization; Sterile Processing Department policies and procedures; medical, nursing, and surgical supplies and equipment.

Basic computer skills.

Ability to: distinguish colors and hear audible alarms; multitask and prioritize in a stressful environment; 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 department; read and use manufacturer's catalogs and parts lists; systematically arrange similar kinds of stock and/or property into groups or categories according to established criteria; perform repetitive work according to set procedures, sequence and pace; maintain accurate inventory and storekeeping records; lift, move, sort and carry items weighing 50 to 75 pounds; operate materials handling and safety equipment; write clear and concise reports; plan, schedule and coordinate the work of others; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers, vendors and users.

Working Conditions:
Depending on assignments, incumbents may work in a warehouse or in an environment with some disagreeable elements such as noise, dust, fumes, machinery or contagious diseases requiring exercise of safety precautions.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE:  This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it.  Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
 
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura. org/jobs.  If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants:  It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications.  A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying:  All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position.  Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION – 100% 
 A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
   
 NOTE: In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence providing all information requested. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.  
 
If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, a T&E will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:  A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required for this position.
 
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi via email at erin.niemi@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2568.