Responsibilities

• Knows location and care of all supplies needed to perform surgical procedures.
• Knows the use of the autoclaves and the danger of "live steam," and exercises necessary safety precautions.
• Performs daily testing of the autoclaves and maintains Biological Monitoring Log each day.
• Understands the operating of the autoclaves and reports any malfunctions immediately.
• Maintains equipment in a clean and safe working order, i.e., oiling of instruments.
• Using surgeon's preference cards, selects all necessary items used for a surgical procedure.
• Sterilizes items as requested by the Registered Nurse.
• Performs daily and weekly cleaning in the Clean Core. Understands and promotes the importance of a clean and dry Clean Core. This is of particular significance due to the sterile products present.
• Restocks shelves as items are received from the Supplies, Processing and Distribution Department.
• Records and restocks supplies that come from outside vendors.
• Checks supply shelf life and maintains all sterile "outdates." Is responsible for re-sterilization of all applicable instrumentation and supplies.
• Understands the hazards and proper use of "cold" sterilization agents.
• Understands and promotes the importance of a safe environment for the surgical patient, including proper dress, proper cleaning and proper traffic flow.
• Understands and maintains sterility and infection control concepts as they apply to the Clean Core and all supplies and instrumentation.
• Understands and promotes the importance of noise control.