By Martin Li, MA, CRCST, CER, CIS,
CHL
Introduction
Sterile Processing Technicians
(SPD Techs) play a critical role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of
healthcare environments. Their work ensures that surgical instruments and
medical devices are properly decontaminated, sterilized, and ready for use.
While technical skills are essential, soft skills are equally important for SPD
Techs to excel in their roles. Here are five key soft skills that every SPD
Tech should possess.
1. Attention to Detail
Clearly, details are an important
part of an SPD Tech’s Day. Those details are important, especially because
overlooking them may endanger patients. Increased regulation also means SPD
Techs need to be on top of every detail, every time.
Attention to detail is critical in
every aspect of the SPD Tech’s duties. From identifying minute signs of
contamination to ensuring that sterilization parameters are met, no detail is
too small to overlook. This skill ensures that the reprocessing cycle is
completed thoroughly and that all instruments are safe for use. Regulatory
standards in healthcare are stringent, and SPD Techs must be diligent in
following these guidelines to avoid any lapses in safety.
2. Compliance
With the safety of patients and
care providers in their hands, it’s important for SPD Techs to follow the
rules. If they don’t, safety could be compromised, and the results could be
disastrous. SPD Techs must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on the job.
No one enjoys wearing all these layers (it can be hot and uncomfortable), but
it is of the utmost importance to protect one from infectious materials and
blood-borne pathogens.
Compliance extends beyond wearing
PPE. It includes following established protocols for cleaning and sterilizing
instruments, documenting processes accurately, and staying up-to-date with the
latest industry standards and guidelines. SPD Techs must have a strong sense of
responsibility and commitment to adhering to these standards to maintain a safe
and sterile environment.
3. Cautiousness
SPD Techs are the first line of
defense against infection in healthcare settings. Their role is so crucial that
hospitals and other facilities couldn’t function without them. It’s not
surprising that SPD Techs must be cautious. Even after items are sterilized,
there’s an extra step: a test that confirms specific parameters of a
sterilization cycle were met. Ensuring an instrument is sterile and safe to use
is vital to the reprocessing cycle.
Being cautious means being
meticulous and vigilant about every step in the process. SPD Techs must
constantly check for signs of contamination, follow protocols precisely, and
ensure that every instrument is properly sterilized before it reaches the surgical
team. Those who have a greater appreciation for the importance of their job are
the ones to hire, as they understand that their diligence directly impacts
patient safety.
4. Patience
Patience is necessary for this
role. SPD Techs spend their entire shifts washing, flushing, drying, and
sterilizing every screw, hinge, tube, and crevice of medical instruments. Each
piece must be reassembled properly for patient safety and surgical effectiveness.
Although SPD Techs don’t have direct contact with patients, their duties are
vital to keeping patients safe, and patience is critical to perform those
duties properly.
The reprocessing of surgical
instruments is a time-consuming and detailed task. Rushing through this process
can lead to errors, which can compromise patient safety. Patience allows SPD
Techs to methodically follow each step, ensuring that nothing is overlooked and
that all instruments are properly sterilized and ready for use.
5. Hands-on Skills
SPD Techs are meticulous
individuals in charge of surgical instrument and medical device
decontamination, organization, and packaging. This career is not limited to
theory and concepts. Although they study the theory and concepts behind their
work, they must be hands-on and analytical to get the job done.
Hands-on skills involve the
physical manipulation of instruments, operating sterilization equipment, and
assembling complex medical devices. SPD Techs need to be comfortable working
with their hands and have a keen eye for detail to ensure that every instrument
is cleaned and sterilized correctly. Practical experience and a hands-on
approach are essential for mastering the technical aspects of the job.
Conclusion
As an SPD educator, it’s essential
to emphasize the importance of these soft skills to your trainees.
Cautiousness, patience, compliance, hands-on skills, and attention to detail
are fundamental to the success of SPD Techs. These soft skills, combined with
technical proficiency, ensure that SPD Techs can perform their roles
effectively, maintaining the highest standards of safety and sterility in
healthcare environments. By fostering these skills, we can ensure that our
teams are not only competent but also committed to the critical mission of
infection control and patient safety.
References
- Moab Healthcare. (2023). 5 key soft skills
sterilization techs should have. Retrieved from https://moabhealthcare.com/5-key-soft-skills-sterilization-techs-should-have/
- Indeed. (2023). Sterile processing technician skills.
Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/sterile-processing-technician-skills
- Zippia. (2023). Sterile processing technician skills.
Retrieved from https://www.zippia.com/sterile-processing-technician-jobs/skills/
- Fortis. (2023). 7 essential sterile processing
technician skills. Retrieved from https://www.fortis.edu/blog/healthcare/7-essential-sterile-processing-technician-skills.html
- Noorani, S. (2024). What skills does a sterile
processing technician need? Health Tech Academy. Retrieved from https://healthtechacademy.org
By fostering these skills, we can ensure that our teams are not only competent but also committed to the critical mission of infection control and patient safety.
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