Instrument Specialist - Operating Room

Under indirect supervision, oversees, monitors, evaluates, schedules, and assigns duties to designated subordinates within department; acts as resource person in regard to sterilization, technique application, inventory control and management of supplies; assists in establishing, maintaining and monitoring all departmental standards, policies and procedures; monitors and directs training and orientation of new staff members; assists in conducting in-services to maintain staff competency; serves as role model in performance of all OR/CS Instrument/Surgical Assistant duties and performs all duties as required.

• Coordinates and provides orientation/training schedule of new hires on sterilization and decontamination of surgical instruments in Operating Room (OR); assures all orientation/training is provided in fair and consistent manner through discussion with designated staff, completed checklist and observation of employee progress; works collaboratively with management on improvement or modifications.
• Acts as resource for other OR staff regarding decontamination/sterilization process, procedures within area, inventory and equipment availability in area.
• Monitors and evaluates work progress of instrument technicians within department; acts as resource in regard to sterilization, technique application, inventory control and management of supplies; serves as role-model to peers; adheres to all aspects of sterility control; promotes adherence by peers.
• Participates on inter-departmental task force or councils to monitor, review and evaluate processes and their effectiveness within department; actively reviews processes to identify problems and see process improvement/resolution; makes recommendations to committee and/or appropriate person to improve processes.
• Assists inventory management specialist with physical inventory process; assists in determining explanation for inventory variances and makes recommendations for resolution.
• Collaborates with Materials Coordinator to maintain inventory supply listing of instruments; maintains itemized list of standard instrument trays and contents; updates instrument tray listings used for instrument counts and trays standardization.
• Inspects instrumentation for proper functioning; collaborates with Materials Coordinator to ensure broken/lost instruments replaced/repaired.
• Investigates and coordinates requests for changes regarding instrument trays, equipment, and inventory; advises management of results.
• Performs sterilization procedures in accordance with sterilization standards and departmental policies and procedures provided and is aware of principles of asepsis; practices universal precautions and infection control procedures and monitors other staff members who may assist in decontamination and sterilization process.
• Performs biological and chemical testing required to monitor and assure sterilization process in complete; monitors sterilizing equipment for accuracy and notes cycle completion.
• Operates and maintains sterilizing and ultrasonic equipment consistent with safety regulations and operating instructions.
• Reports workroom/sterilization equipment failures or errors immediately to Maintenance Department and notifies supervisor.
• Monitors and performs daily/weekly cleaning of decontamination and work areas; monitors maintenance of processing equipment and maintenance of graphs, charts, and printouts.
• Maintains load content documentation for steam and gas sterilized items; assures return of sterilized items to OR.
• Assists OR nursing staff in surgical case turnover by opening sterile supplies, resterilizing specialty equipment, obtaining additional or extra supplies required for procedure.
• Uses physician preference cards to pick supplies and equipment required for surgical procedures and consults with circulating nurses and surgical technologists regarding special needs for specific procedures.
• Coordinates room preparation and/or clean-up activities to assure timely turnover of surgical suites and increase utilization of resources; provides assistance and support to staff requiring additional assistance during course of procedure (provide for additional equipment and/or supplies).
• Assists in stocking and restocking surgical supply areas; inspects supplies to check for outdates, package deterioration and signs that sterility has been compromised; removes all questionable and outdated supplies from supply areas and makes arrangements for resterilization or reordering of supply; rotates stock as necessary.
• Activates process for outdated and/or recalled supplies and instruments.
• Assists with ordering and receiving departmental stock and non-stock items; initiates orders in timely manner to avoid shortages and reduce need to over-stock.
• Uses departmental computerized material management system to access inventory information, complete ordering requisitions, and input inventory data.
• Keeps surgical specimens logs; checks/orders formalin daily for OR specimens; re-stocks formalin.
• Checks and logs blood and medicine refrigerator temperature daily and reports variances; transports blood form blood bank to OR and returns unused blood following procedure.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide care and/or service appropriate to age groups served.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide culturally sensitive care and/or service.
• Performs other duties and accepts responsibility as assigned.