Are you looking for a Challenge? Looking for an innovative organization and the opportunity to learn and grow professionally? We can help! We are seeking a Sterile Processing Technician to support the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMR VAMC). Non-local candidates are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

I’ve never heard of Terrestris. What do you do?

At Terrestris, we leverage technology to create better mission outcomes through better human performance. We form strong client and team relationships through transparency and strive to create an environment where our team can let their excellence shine through. By finding, developing, and incorporating new ideas, we provide memorable services. Rooted in the USMC values of honor, courage, and commitment, Terrestris seeks to deliver extraordinary value to the American people by helping the Government become more efficient and effective.

So, what will the Sterile Processing Technician at Terrestris do?

The Sterile Processing Technician will provide the operating room, dental service, interventional procedural areas, various clinics, wards, departments, CBOCS and other hospital facilities with sterilized and/or high level disinfected (HLD) critical and semi critical reusable medical equipment (RME) such as surgical instruments, instrument sets and flexible endoscopes. Reprocesses (disassembles, cleans, decontaminates, assembles, HLD or sterilized) critical, semi-critical and a few non-critical RME.

What does a typical day look like for the Sterile Processing Technician?

You will:

Appropriately transport contaminated reusable medical equipment (RME) from point of use biohazard areas to Decontamination area of Sterile Processing Service. Sort and decontaminate RME based on manufacturer’s instructions and facility standard operating procedures, utilizing correct dosage of chemicals.
Completely and thoroughly disassemble and position all parts of RME to ensure removal of bioburden.
Manually and mechanically clean RME.
Remove bioburden/contamination by soaking, manually wiping or using appropriate scrubbing brush for added cleaning.
Place RME in automatic RME cleaning machines as recommended by the SOP and manufactures instructions.
Remove instrument stains using appropriate chemicals.
Disinfect all critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME.
Perform all functions of the decontamination process including but not limited to manual and mechanical cleaning of surgical, reusable medical equipment, and dental instrumentation.
Appropriately transport contaminated reusable medical equipment (RME) from point of use biohazard areas to Decontamination area of Sterile Processing Service. Sort and decontaminate RME based on manufacturer’s instructions and facility standard operating procedures, utilizing correct dosage of chemicals.
Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions/Instructions for Use (IFU) and safely operate and trouble shoot decontamination equipment including but not limited to washer/disinfectors, cart Washer, Dental handpiece maintenance system, ultrasonic cleaners, automated endoscopic reprocessors and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents.
Conduct visual inspections of all RME items to ensure cleanliness prior to being sent to SPS preparation area for processing.
Perform all the functions for the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes to include the operating of an endoscope preprocessor according to manufacturer's instructions.
Accomplish the inspection, assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization or HLD) of all RME and flexible endoscopes throughout the medical facility and CBOCs.
Read, understand, and follow all manufacturers’ instructions on cleaning RME and department established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Read and understand Material Safety Data Sheets.
Perform and document quality assurance checks for reprocessing equipment as well as RME.
Perform all functions of the prep/packaging and sterilization process including documentation and quality assurance procedures.
Examine and visually inspect instrumentation and appropriate functioning, and cleanliness.
Assemble instrument sets according to count sheets. Place sets in appropriate outer container or wrap sizes.
Inspect, assemble, package, and document the contents of a wide variety of surgical and dental trays and instruments according to count sheet.
Inspects, prepares, assembles, and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, low temperature gas plasma sterilizer (Sterrad), Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AER) and manual high-level disinfecting procedures.
Properly and safely load, operate and trouble shoot a variety of sterilizers including but not limited to steam, low temperature gas plasma sterilizer (Sterrad), Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AER). Additionally, perform all quality assurance testing and documentation required for each sterilizer in accordance with facility requirements.
Properly store and/or deliver to end user in accordance with facility protocols.
Properly transports all items for HLD process before and after processing in accordance with facility protocols.
Inspect items for HLD process, and process following all MI for reprocessing.
Properly store items after HLD process in accordance with facility protocols.
Perform all functions of the HLD process including documentation and quality assurance procedures.
Properly and safely load and operate the Automated Endoscope Reprocessors and other HLD equipment as needed.
Refill/replace chemicals as needed according to facility requirement.
Follow facility protocol on OR case cart process and sterile storage area regulations.
Prepare case carts for the OR and ensure that everything on the pull sheet is obtained for the next day’s cases.
Maintain appropriate sets in sterile/clean area.
Rotate stock as needed.

What qualifications do you look for?

You might be the medical professional we’re looking for if you have:

A high school education or equivalency.
(2) years of experience demonstrating the ability to perform sterile processing techniques and services (any type of military medical service may be credited toward meeting the requirements). In lieu of the forementioned, two years of relevant education at a residency school above the high school level, or any combination of relevant education above the high school level and relevant experience totaling two (2) years is acceptable.
A valid HSPA certification or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
Knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques, including characteristics of various types of detergents, cleaning techniques, sterilizing mediums; and tests to determine effectiveness of sterilization.
Knowledge of the use, operation, maintenance, assembly, and disassembly of complex surgical instruments, and reusable medical equipment and the specific cleaning, sterilizing and storage requirements of each to ensure RME is sterilized and stored according to manufacturer's specifications.
The ability to interpret written material, technical material, regulations, instructions, and reports.
The ability to communicate (speak) with clients in English to the extent of reading and understanding printed regulations, detailed written orders, training instructions and material, and shall be able to compose reports which convey complete information.
Current vaccination immunization including:
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) (two doses of the immunization) or proof of having had the disease by having titer levels for MMR.
- Varicella (chicken pox) or proof of having had the disease by having titer levels for chicken pox.
- Hepatitis B immune status by documented antibody titer.
- One dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) immunization within 10 years.
- The results of the two-step tuberculin skin test within three months including date administered, date read, and millimeters (MM) of induration, OR the results of an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), including date tested and interpretation, OR the results of the most recent chest x-ray if you have had tuberculosis or a positive skin test.

Additional physical requirements include the ability to perform work:

In various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus.
In areas that are hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lighted.
In areas where the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, biological exposures (e.g.: splashes, needle sticks), and other injuries from handling equipment exists.
While standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of sterile products and packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds).
Requiring dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly, and assembly of instrumentation.

What kind of benefits does Terrestris Offer?

We offer outstanding benefits including health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category.

Terrestris is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.