Medical Equipment Preparers

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Also known as:
Central Sterile Supply Technician, Certified Registered Central Service Technician, Health Equipment Servicer, Medical Equipment Preparer, Medical Supply Technician, Oxygen Equipment Preparer, Sterile Preparation Technician, Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician, Sterile Processing Technician, Sterilization Specialist

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ABOUT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PREPARER CAREERS

Video transcript

Technology helps medical miracles happen every day, but only if the equipment is in top working order. So medical equipment preparers are key to the success of all kinds of procedures. With health care a growing field, more and more of these careful workers are needed - in hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices.

They are responsible for making sure the equipment is not just clean, but sterile (that means free of germs). They also examine equipment to detect leaks, or worn or loose parts. If something's wrong, it's the responsibility of the medical equipment preparer to take the equipment out of action until it can be prepared. Often this requires writing up a report detailing the nature of the problem.

This is a career that called for a degree of mechanical aptitude. The precise care for particular equipment can be learned on the job, including knowing how to set up the equipment, and how to properly and safely operate it.

But certain general characteristics are necessary for success in this field. You must have the skill to work with small parts, and the ability to read instructions and gauges. You also need to be organized and deicated to doing your very best, every day - because someone's life could depend on it.

SNAPSHOT

Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	LOW
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	HIGH

Daily tasks

Attend hospital in-service programs related to areas of work specialization.

Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards.

Stock crash carts or other medical supplies.

Check sterile supplies to ensure that they are not outdated.

Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.

Maintain records of inventory or equipment usage and order medical instruments or supplies when inventory is low.

Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.

Record sterilizer test results.

Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.

Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.

Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Biology	Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Chemistry	Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

TOP SKILLS

Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis	Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Operation Monitoring	Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Troubleshooting	Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.