Helen Hillock
Santa Clara,CA
Summary
Professional experience encompasses key competencies in infection control, supply management, and instrument tracking within sterile processing environments. Achievements include the development of policies that enhance operational workflows while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Aiming to leverage expertise in team leadership and analytical problem-solving to contribute effectively as a Sterile Processing Manager, driving improvements in service delivery and operational excellence.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
7
7
Certification
Work History
Sterile Processing Technician II
Kaiser Permanente
Santa Clara, CA
04.2022 - Current
- Prepare and processed surgical instruments for Periop services, Ambulatory and Clinics.
- Operate Belimed pre-vacuum autoclaves, washer/disinfection and Ultrasonics.
- Monitor and record sterilization processes.
- SPM editing, count sheets and audit reporting.
Sterile Processing Technician II
Kaiser Permanente
Capitol Hill, WA
04.2021 - 04.2022
- Prepared and process surgical instruments for Periop services and Clinics (internal and satellite)
- Operated Steris pre-vacuum autoclaves, Sterrad NX100 Low Temp sterilizers, GI Medivators.
- Monitored and record sterilization processes.
- Instrument use audits and structuring par levels: Clinics and Center Core.
Sterile Processing Technician / Travel/ US Nursing Corp/ 2 Contracts
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, NY
01.2018 - 03.2020
- Prepared and processed surgical instruments: Obstetrics, Gynecology, Urology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Plastics, Trauma, and Robotics.
- Operated Steris pre-vacuum autoclaves, and Sterrad NX100 low-temp sterilizers.
- Processed endoscopes and HD cameras.
- Assembled case carts.
- Monitored and recorded sterilization processes.
- Processed loaner instruments from Biomet, Stryker, and DePuy.
- Organized and coordinated floor and clinic instruments.
- Entered new and revised count sheet data into the Abacus tracking system.
Sterile Processing Interim Manager
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston, MA
06.2014 - 12.2017
- Oversaw the daily operations of the central Sterilization facility; responsible for Periodontal, Endodontics, Prosthetics, Orthodontics, Implant and OMSF instrumentation throughout the school. Serving 900 undergraduate/post graduate students.
- Managed a team of 16 technicians. Trained and monitored performance.
- Utilized university performance planning process to manage staff performance, competencies and development.
- Coordinated instrumentation for WREB and CDCA/NERB licensing exams.
- Supported screenings, workshops, simulation lab and Continuing Ed.
- Ensured standard universal precautions and infection control protocols were adhered to, consistent with OSHA guidelines.
- Wrote policies and procedures to support operations.
- Verified sterilization loads and biological tests to determine the efficacy of the sterilization process.
- Adhered to regulatory ST79/ANSI/AAMI/ADA/OSHA/CDC/Joint Commission guidelines and compliances in cooperation with continuous quality improvements.
- Proficient in Windows Micro soft, Excel, Power Point and Axium tracking system.
- Oversaw inventory, par levels and procurement of supplies and equipment.
- Bar code implementation and replacements.
- Planned/prepared annual capital projections, budget and tracking.
Sterile Processing Technician/ Travel/ US Nursing Corp
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, MA
03.2013 - 06.2014
- Prepared, processed, assembled and sterilized surgical instruments for 25 OR suites.
- Operated Getinge washer/disinfectors and Ultrasonic washers.
- Utilized pre-vacuum steam autoclaves, Sterrad NX Low Temp sterilizers.
- Processed scopes and cameras.
- Operated high level disinfection Medivators for Endoscopes.
- Monitored and recorded biological tests and maintained sterilization records.
- Prepared case carts for scheduled surgeries.
- Utilized Impress systems for instrument tracking and assembly.
Sterile Processing Technician
Central Washington Hospital
Wenatchee, WA
03.2011 - 12.2012
- Prepared, processed, assembled and sterilized surgical instruments for 12 OR suites.
- Operated Getinge Sterilizer and Ultrasonic washers.
- Used Castle gravity/ pre-vacuum steam autoclaves, Sterrad NX Low Temp and Steris 1E sterilizers.
- Processed scopes and cameras.
- Monitored and recorded biological tests and maintained sterilization records.
- Utilized computer programs to update surgery preference cards.
- Prepared case carts for scheduled surgeries.
- Serviced patient care units with equipment: Epidural, IV, SCD pumps, and bed overlays.
- Assisted in the training of new employees.
- Replenished operating room par levels via exchange cart system.
Sterile Processing Tech /Team Leader
King Faisal Military Hospitals
Khamis-Mushayt, Saudi-Arabia
11.1983 - 06.1996
- Prepared, processed, assembled and sterilized surgical instruments for 8 OR suites.
- Coordinated Instrument transfers between two military facilities.
- Serviced patient care units with instruments and equipment.
- Operated Amsco gravity/pre-vacuum steam autoclaves.
- Assembled surgery instruments trays for: General, Obstetrics, Gynecology, GU, Orthopedic, Plastics and Microvascular.
- Revised instrument count sheets.
Education
GED (NEDP HSE) -
Vive School (Adult Ed)
Yonkers, NY01.2020
GCSEs -
St. Cuthbert Mayne High School
UK01.1980
Skills
- Infection control
- Count sheet management
- Instrument tracking
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Supply management
- Time management
- Analytical skills
- Team leadership
- Policy writing
- Regulatory compliance
- Service oriented
Accomplishments
- Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Assisted with on-boarding of the SPM system; data entries, count sheets and audit reports.
- Montefiore Medical Center, Improved the tracking capabilities in the Abacus tracking system to better identify inventory by specialty, type, and group; Introduced tracking labels and count sheets for floor instrument trays; revised OR count sheets; procured new and replacement instruments; collaborated with the High Level Disinfection personnel on projects, i.e. setting cycle limits and adjusting parameters to match specific device IFU’s.
- Tufts University, Updated their sterilization monitoring system; advocated and implemented on-site biological testing. On-site ‘rapid read’ testing provided test results that can be verified and recorded before load release. This was well received; heightened patient safety for the school. Updated Axium distribution tracking system to be more streamline, and workflow efficient.
Training
- Royal Preston Training Hospital, Theatre Sterile Services, UK, 1981-1983
- Purdue University, Central Service Technician Training, USA, 2012
Volunteer Experience
- Community Services, Wenatchee, WA, 2009-2014
- Home Health Aid (HHA) Family Service Society, Yonkers, NY, 2018-2021, Part-time up to March 2020 and full-time during the COVID Pandemic for one year.
Certification
• CRCST (HSPA) certified 2012
• CIS, (HSPA) certified 2018
• CHL (HSPA) certified 2018
• GTS (SGNA) certified 2020
• CER (HSPA) certified 2022
• Laser Safety Training (LIA) 2023
• BLS/CPR (AHA) certified 2023
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Sterile Processing Technician II
Kaiser Permanente
04.2022 - Current
Sterile Processing Technician II
Kaiser Permanente
04.2021 - 04.2022
Sterile Processing Technician / Travel/ US Nursing Corp/ 2 Contracts
Montefiore Medical Center
01.2018 - 03.2020
Sterile Processing Interim Manager
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
06.2014 - 12.2017
Sterile Processing Technician/ Travel/ US Nursing Corp
Tufts Medical Center
03.2013 - 06.2014
Sterile Processing Technician
Central Washington Hospital
03.2011 - 12.2012
Sterile Processing Tech /Team Leader
King Faisal Military Hospitals
11.1983 - 06.1996
GED (NEDP HSE) -
Vive School (Adult Ed)
GCSEs -
St. Cuthbert Mayne High School
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