Sterilization Technician

WHAT IS MSF ?

Médecins Sans Frontières/أطباء بلا حدود  بلا أطباء (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project started in Sept. 2013 in Shatila, where MSF currently manages an outpatient center for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), vaccination services with transversely integrated mental health services and health promotion, and referrals for patients who require services beyond the scope of MSF activities. Additionally MSF opened a women’s health center with sexual and reproductive health care.
During 2018, low risk deliveries were relocated from Shatila to Rafik Hariri University Hospital compound, where MSF runs a Birth Centre. MSF took this as an opportunity to work together with external partners as catalyst for change around midwifery model of care and demedicalization of deliveries. The antenatal care services remains in the camps, to serve the most vulnerable women.
In Bourj el Barajneh camp, besides the above mentioned activities, MSF provides in addition home based care for those patients who are housebound or bedridden often due to an advanced NCD disease.

MSF BIRTH CENTER (BC)

The MSF Birth Center is unique in Lebanon, in its objective to develop a midwife led model of care. The midwives are responsible  for all of the deliveries and are only required to consult the obstetrician in case of complications. The model focuses on low risk pregnancies. There is an assesment room for all patients being followed in ANC, including the higher risk cases and they may attend at any time to be assessed. The most important role of the obstetrician is to manage any complicated cases either in BC or prior to referral to another hospital, and to be active in teaching, coaching and empowering of the midwives and nurses to help develop the midwife led model of care.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

According to protocols applied in the corresponding service(s) or ward(s) of a medical structure, carrying out sterilization of medical equipment, instrument and surfaces, according to MSF protocols and procedures and universal hygiene standards, in order to ensure an efficient quality of care and safe environment

DETAILED ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Knowing and strictly applying all specific sterilization and hygiene protocols and security rules. Proactively seeking advice and clarifications from the functional supervisor in case of doubt, about the specific protocols or procedure to follow in each specific case.
• Maintaining clean, disinfected and safe, the working environment allocated to his/her position, applying the specific protocols and using the tools and equipment provided. This includes cleaning all instruments in the sterilization solution and running them through the sterilizer, operating at the instructed correct time.
• Maintaining clean and organized, the sterilization area/room and equipment, recognizing all instruments as per the provided diagrams, organizing all instruments for packaging, packing the instruments according to the sets as directed by the supervisor and labeling all sets correctly with the expiry date clearly indicated
• Delivering the instruments to the different wards or departments
• Reporting any repair or maintenance work needed related to sterilization to the supervisor, as well as any relevant information related to his/her responsibilities
• Ensuring availability of sterilized instruments and material, and drawing up orders for on-going needs
• Performing minor maintenance and cleaning of the biomedical equipment following user manual and protocols. Alerting the supervisor in case of malfunctioning of any device

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Sterelization Technician:

• Follow the schedule of tasks indicated for sterilisation according to the MSF sterilization protocols
• Ensure that the sterilization room is always clean
• Perform hand washing upon entering the room and before handling equipment
• Collect the used devices from the departments
• Pre-disinfect and clean soiled medical devices
• Ensure that instruments and linen are in good condition
• Prepare instruments sets according to pre-established standard lists
• Ensure proper usage of TST control strips
• Steam sterilize the items as indicated in the protocols
• Monitor the effectiveness of the sterilization
• Mark clearly on the set date of sterilization and date or expiry
• Clean and disinfect the work areas and surfaces
• Distribute the sterilized devices to the respective departments
• Remove expired sets from the departments
• Refer any problems to the line manager
• Monitoring of quality of sets refer to manager/ pharmacist in case of any deficiency

Head of Cleaners:

• Head of cleaner ensure msf premises are cleaned according to protocols
• Ensure hygiene guidelines are followed and in place
• Participate in the IP committeee
• Ensure cleaning procedures are followed and respected by the cleaners
• Work closely with other department's supervisors to ensure good hygiene quality in all departments
• Monitoring and distributing of hygiene and refereshment stock
• Promote hospital hygiene together with cleaner
• Organize days planning of leaner share out tasks among cleaners
• Plan the time table ( roster, days/ nights weekend, public holidays and annual leaves)
• Control the absence of the staff( illness, unjustified,ect.) and communicate them to the line manager and project admin
• Member of the infection control team
• Attending meetings and trainings held within WHC teams or as suggested by direct supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS

Education : Essential - Secondary High School Diploma

Desirable experience : Experience in sterilization practices essential. Experience with MSF or other NGO is desirable

IT skills: Essential computer literacy (word, excel)

Soft Skills: Results and Quality Orientation,  Teamwork and Cooperation,  Flexibility,  Commitment,  Stress management