Job Description

Provides oversight and local operations management of the Sterile Processing Departments and (Sterile Processing & High-Level Disinfection Services) across the hospital system supporting Surgical Services, various nursing units, federally qualified healthcare systems (FQHC), and all off-site clinics. Ensures coordinated and timely delivery of reprocessed items to clinical stakeholders within the health care organization. Ensures local facility sterilization and High-Level Disinfection services (HLD) functions comply with all regulatory requirements. Directs SPD personnel and serves as liaison between SPD and other departments. Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships, coordinates and resolves problems, and ensures cooperation with other programs and services. Reporting to Surgical Services Leadership and in collaboration with IPC department, manages the overall SPD budget for the organization, including determining resource needs, allocation resources and ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness of SPD operations. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operation in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Leads a Sterile Processing group by communicating with and developing staff members, building consensus for programs and goals that support a business, function or geographic area.
• Develops systems to ensure availability of sterile instrumentation for surgeries and optimal condition of returned instruments utilizes key performance indicators for trending and identifying improvement areas.
• Develops and articulates a short-term strategic vision for areas of responsibility.
• Develops and leads financial management including operating budget, supplies, equipment, space, staff and information; develops and reports on budgets, including monthly indicators on quality, productivity and efficiency.
• Builds and maintains productive inter/intra departmental and vendor work relationships to optimize operations; collaborates with perioperative management on workflow issues and implements solutions.
• Serves as a liaison between materials management and supply organizations to facilitate smooth supply operation.
• Develops solid partnerships and consultations with the infection control, risk management, and the quality & safety team to identify opportunities and develop process improvement plans.
• Oversees compliance and consistency with sterilization principles, standards and techniques; ensures compliance with government and agency regulations.
• Coordinates activities of ordering, receiving, and inventory control; ensures inventory meets par levels, surgeon preferences, and quality standards; analyzes equipment and inventory spending patterns to maximize cost effectiveness.
• Direct responsibility for the maintenance and integrity of departmental records.
• Selects, develops, manages, and evaluates both direct and indirect reports.
• Performs related duties as required.

This position also ensures process improvements that are consistent and aligned with the organizational goals. The Director also ensures that sterilization and high-level disinfection processes are within the AAMI, NJDOH regulations as mandated by the state of NJ. This position has the ability to mentor and develop the leaders in the areas on AAMI National Standards as required by the NJ State Department of Health and Human Services. Evaluate and ensure the integrity of on-going inventory control and supply management. Serves as the systems knowledge-based expert and consultant regarding proper sterilization techniques, product information, and equipment maintenance, operation, and high-level disinfection.

This position supports organizational goals by providing excellent customer service, participating in performance improvement efforts, and demonstrating a commitment to teamwork and cooperation.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Required Minimum Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in Business or a healthcare related field. Bachelor’s degree required at time of hire. Master's Degree required within 3 years of hire date.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

• Required Licenses & Certifications: SPD Technician Certification (CSPDT or CRCST) and Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM) or certified in Healthcare Leadership (CHL) from HSPA at time of hire or transfer.
• Preferred Licenses & Certifications: Surgical Instrument Certification (CIS), GI Scope Certification from CFER or CER at time of hire or transfer

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of management experience in Sterile Processing or Surgical Services. Sterile Processing Experience in a large or complex healthcare system required. Must be well versed and knowledgeable with the most current AAMI National Standards (ST79, ST58, ST77, and ST91 & ST108). This position also is required to recognize and comply with ANSI/ASHRAE, NJDOH, DOT, EPA rules and regulations on device reprocessing requirements in correlation with SGNA and AORN recommended practices.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Demonstrates the ability to perform the system level competencies as listed on the Assessment and Evaluation Tool. Build partnerships with system leaders and work collaboratively on system level initiatives, strategic planning, regulatory compliance while maintaining high quality and medical device reprocessing integrity throughout.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Potential for exposure to the hazards and risk of the hospital environment, including exposure to infectious disease, blood-borne pathogens, hazardous substances, and potential injury. Able to see color. This position requires extensive walking and standing and occasional lifting up to 20 lbs. Essential functions of this position are listed on the department specific Assessment and Evaluation Tool.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

This position reports to department leadership and supervises incumbents as assigned.

The above statement reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

BENEFIT OFFERINGS

AtlantiCare offers eligible Full-time and Part-time team members the ability to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k)/403(b), Life Insurance, Disability and other supplemental benefit programs.