Principal Advisor, Central Sterile Processing (System‑Level Strategic Leader)

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Perioperative and Procedural Services, the Principal Advisor for CSP serves as the system’s senior subject‑matter expert and strategic leader for this procedural domain. In this capacity, the leader will functions as an enterprise‑level authority responsible for establishing standard practices, policies, and procedures for daily operations. The role also provides oversight and input into the system capital replacement plan and operational KPIs. Additionally, this role leads accreditation readiness efforts and partners closely with the Quality Institute to ensure continued compliance across all UH locations. Operating within a matrixed structure, this role provides dotted‑line guidance to local operational leaders and manages a small, focused team responsible for delivering systemwide initiatives

A Brief Overview

The Principal Advisor, Procedural Areas serves as a clinical and strategic subject matter expert and resource across the health system, providing expert consultation, strategic guidance, and performance oversight for the assigned procedural areas of expertise, such as Central Sterile Processing/High Level Disinfection (CSP/HLD), Operating Rooms (OR), Endoscopy, and Cath/Interventional Radiology (IR) Labs. This role supports standardization, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance across all facilities, working collaboratively with local leaders to drive excellence in patient care, operational efficiency, and staff development. This position holds dotted-line authority to influence and support local managers and directors, aligning practices with system-wide goals, although the depending on the area, they may have direct reports. This position will develop and implement standardized departmental policies, procedures, and quality objectives. The position will also gather, analyze, and share key performance indicators (KPIs) across the system to support transparency, promote accountability, and drive continuous improvement at both the local and system levels. Additionally, this position will lead the creation and maintenance of a system-wide education and competency plan in collaboration with others.

What You Will Do

• Key Responsibilities:
• System-Level Leadership & Strategic Oversight: Serve as the system-wide clinical expert for assigned procedural specialty (CSP/HLD, OR, Endoscopy, Cath/IR) based on evidence based best practices, protocols, and technological advancement to enhance patient safety, workflow efficiency and clinical outcomes.
• Collaborate with local leaders to standardize workflows, optimize scheduling, and improve throughput and resource utilization.
• Serve as a liaison between system leadership and local procedural teams, translating enterprise-wide strategy into operational execution. Assist local leaders to translate strategic goals into operational practices across facilities.
• Lead or support initiatives to improve efficiency, safety, and patient outcomes (e.g., turnover time, block utilization, scope management, radiation safety), by utilizing process improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or PDSA methodologies.
• Depending on the assigned procedural area, this role may include direct reports and associated people management and local budgetary responsibilities.
• Policy Development & Standardization
• Develop, review, implement, and maintain system-wide policies, protocols, and standard operating procedures related to assigned area of expertise. Partner with local leadership to support training, ensure consistent application, and monitor compliance across all sites.
• Ensure alignment with current regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., AORN, DNV, JCAHO, AAMI, CMS, ACC). Support local leaders in preparing for surveys, audits, and inspections, ensuring alignment with standards and documentation requirements.
• Promote consistent application of best practices across all sites, including technology integration, including electronic health records (EHR), image management systems, and inventory systems.
• Training, Education & Competency
• Assist in design and deliver ongoing education programs, competency assessments, and professional development plans throughout system.
• Provide subject matter expertise for local leaders during staff onboarding and ongoing professional development activities.
• Act as a subject matter expert in regulatory standards and clinical technologies.
• Quality Improvement & Data Analysis
• Analyze system-wide performance data, audit results, and dashboard metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities. Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as volume trends, case mix, supply costs, radiation exposure, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with local teams and system leadership to develop and implement targeted quality improvement initiatives. Support audit activities and review documentation accuracy to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Participate in or lead root cause analyses and process improvement initiatives
• Regulatory & Compliance Support
• Stay current with evolving regulatory requirements and industry standards. including infection control, safety, and documentation standards.
• Serve as the internal resource for regulatory and accreditation readiness, supporting local managers in compliance efforts.
• Review and revise system-wide recommendations based on regulatory updates.
• Resource & Inventory Management
• Provide expert advice on system-wide capital equipment, instrumentation, supply chain strategies.
• Support budget planning and procurement efforts in collaboration with system and local hospital leadership.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in system-wide committees, task forces, and strategic initiatives.
• Foster a culture of safety, learning, and clinical excellence.
• Ensure adherence to PHI and confidentiality standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• For specific duties and responsibilities, refer to documentation provided by the department during orientation.
• Must abide by all requirements to safely and securely maintain Protected Health Information (PHI) for our patients. Annual training, the UH Code of Conduct and UH policies and procedures are in place to address appropriate use of PHI in the workplace.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Cardiovascular Technology, Radiologic Technology, or related field (Required)
• Master's Degree MSN, MHA, MBA, or related (Preferred)

Work Experience

• Minimum of 7–10 years of clinical and operational leadership experience in sterile processing (Required)

• 3+ years system-level or multi-site experience, preferably in a matrixed organization. (Required)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills. (Required proficiency)
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building abilities. (Required proficiency)
• Ability to influence without direct authority and navigate complex organizational structures. (Required proficiency)
• Deep understanding of regulatory and accreditation standards. (Required proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• Active clinical license or certification (e.g., RN, RCIS, RCES, ARRT, CRCST, CSPDT, CER,CIS) required based on specialty. (Required)
• Specialty certifications (e.g., CNOR, CVRN, CEPS, Lean Six Sigma) (Preferred)
• Preferred Certifications: Certified Sterile Processing Manager (CSPM) or Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL).

Physical Demands

• Standing Occasionally
• Walking Occasionally
• Sitting Constantly
• Lifting Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Carrying Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Pushing Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Pulling Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Climbing Rarely up to 20 lbs
• Balancing Rarely
• Stooping Rarely
• Kneeling Rarely
• Crouching Rarely
• Crawling Rarely
• Reaching Rarely
• Handling Occasionally
• Grasping Occasionally
• Feeling Rarely
• Talking Constantly
• Hearing Constantly
• Repetitive Motions Frequently
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Frequently

Travel Requirements

• 50% Hybrid/remote with regular onsite presence required. Up to 50% travel across system hospitals and procedural areas. Flexibility to adjust schedule to support early procedures or late meetings as needed.