This position requires the overall inspection, preparation, receipt and issuance of sterile processing equipment and supplies to the Operating Room
and inpatient units. Performance of these technical tasks are integral to the support of clinical operations of the Operating Room.
Surgical Services at the main hospital campus is equipped and available to provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week surgical care.
The Perioperative Services Department consists of the following areas:
• Surgery Preparation
• Operating Rooms (17 O.R.’s and 2 Procedure Rooms)
• Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU-12 prep and 35 post anesthesia bays)
• Sterile Processing Department (SPD)
• Radiology
• Endoscopy
• Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) in Rockville, MD
In our delivery of care we aim for quality healthcare that is: patient centered, safe, timely, efficient, equitable, and effective. The department is engaged in quality, performance improvement and research to provide care that has the patient and family in mind.
Perioperative Services’ mission is facilitated through a culture of safety. The focus of care is on the patient, family, and the environment. The department strives for an environment that enables the provision for safe patient care, excellence in performance, improvement in our process, and positive health outcomes.
Children’s National surgery center performs nearly 17,000 procedures each year on infants, children and adolescents, including kidney transplants, scoliosis, hernia repairs, and procedures to treat disorders and abnormalities of the esophagus and trachea. Other special services include corneal implants and cataract surgeries, and we specialize in cochlear implant for the ear. Children’s surgeons perform laser surgery and employ many types of minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy.
Minimum Education
High School Diploma or GED
Minimum Work Experience
1 year
Specific Requirements and Preferences
6 months to 1 year related experience (Required)
Experience in health care related field (Required)
Sterile Processing experience (Preferred)
Required Skills/Knowledge
Moderate computer ability
Communication Skills Training (Inclusive of written and verbal skills).
Knowledge of aseptic technique. Basic calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
Human relations and interpersonal skills.
Good telephone etiquette.
Ability to maintain interpersonal skills; i.e. friendly and polite attitude towards families and staff
Functional Accountabilities
Patient Advocate
1. Supportive of patients, families and staff; report any concerns or issues regarding preoperative care to appropriate personnel.
2. Direct any questions regarding preoperative preparation (case preparation) to Clinical Manager of SPD.
3. Provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for surgical patient through the quality of processed equipment and supplies for the surgical patient.
4. Assemble needed paperwork for the patient.
Instrument and Supply Quality and Maintenance
1. Receive, wash, inspect, prepare and issue instruments, trays and other equipment according to policies and procedures.
2. Inspect and prepare surgical items for sterilization.
3. Stamp, date, store and rotate items; issue sterile and nonsterile items; and inspect for outdated items.
4. Maintain daily productivity levels.
5. Communicate with Operating Room staff about the needs and activities of the inner and outer core, supplies, case carts, instruments, linens and waste.
Aseptic Technique
1. Identify the principles of sterile technique.
2. Demonstrate a surgical conscience at all times.
3. Select and prepare supplies and instruments for the sterilizer.
4. Utilize the appropriate sterilizer for sterilization purposes (i.e.: flash sterilizer vs. washer sterilizer).
5. Apply the correct technique of disinfection and follow manufacturer protocols.
Sterile Processing
1. Load and operate washers, dryer, ultrasonic cleaner , sterilizers and cart wash machines.
2. Follow established policy and procedure for building instrument sets according to count sheets.
3. Display knowledge and dexterity in the utilization of required instrumentation and supplies.
4. Anticipate emergency or unusual circumstances associated with equipment needs and supply availability.
5. Anticipate the needs of the surgical team.
6. Demonstrate organizational skills when preparing for surgical cases.
7. Maintain surveillance of sterilization; maintain and monitor the daily records and indicators; follow recall procedures.
8. Implement procedures to ensure adherence to sterilization requirements.
Safety
1. Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
2. Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
3. Stop in the face of uncertainty and take time to resolve the situation
4. Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
5. Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers
6. Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance
Organizational Accountabilities
Supply Maintenance
1. Assist the Operating Room staff to maintain appropriate level of supplies and inventory of surgical procedures.
2. Assist the Operating Room staff to maintain inventory of all operating equipment.
3. Plan with the Operating Room staff for the availability of equipment needed for the intraoperative patient (i.e. drills, ;laparoscopic equipment; specialty items).
4. Report and communicate to Manager of any issues in regard to supply maintenance (i.e. low stock; equipment failures).
Organizational Commitment/Identification
1. Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization
2. Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences
3. Demonstrate personal and professional integrity
4. Maintain confidentiality at all times
Customer Service
1. Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met
Teamwork/Communication
1. Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
2. Partner with all team members to achieve goals
3. Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions
Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
1. Contribute to a positive work environment
2. Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
3. Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
4. Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment
Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
1. Use resources efficiently
2. Search for less costly ways of doing things
At Children's, we know what it takes to really connect with kids, we're looking for nurses who love a challenge.
At Children's, we know what it takes to really connect with kids, we're looking for nurses who love a challenge.
Pediatric nurses have to be patient. They have to be understanding, yet able to communicate effectively and honestly with a child and their family about their illness and treatment. And every Children's nurse must have the confidence to take a patient's care into his or her own hands.
At Children's you'll work closely with each patient and their family across a continuum of care - beginning with admission, when you perform physical assessments and take a patient/family history that covers all the vitals.
You'll prepare and carry out a plan of patient care. You'll work with professionals from all Children's health care disciplines. Together you will ensure your patients' progress every step of the way. You will even make rounds with physicians, discussing your patients' conditions and needs.
Professionally, you'll grow like never before.
The nursing practice environment at Children's is ideal for developing your skills to the maximum, increasing your level of responsibility and entering new specialty areas.
Our versatile career ladder, the Program for Professional Advancement (PPA), enables you to move both vertically and laterally across a wide range of clinical, educational and management opportunities. Recently we restructured our nurses compensation package to include:
Our recent achievement of Magnet status reflects what we’ve known all along: That our nurses are something very special - that their vision, talents, dedication and leadership define a truly exceptional practice environment. We invite you to learn more about our Magnet environment, accomplished by approximately 6% of the nation’s hospitals, and even fewer pediatric centers.
We are also a Beacon Award winner, recognized for our outstanding CICU and PICU environments. In fact, our Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit is the first in the country to be designated a Beacon Award winner AND our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is the first in the Northeast region to receive the Beacon designation!
For additional information please visit the Children's National Medical Center Site