Job Description

Overview

To be responsible for providing leadership to the sterile processing department staff to ensure that the operational performance and quality goals of the department are met. Oversees sterile processing technicians, data collection, decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization, high-level disinfection, distribution, and inventory management in the department. Prepares monthly schedule and daily shift assignments, assists with staff performance evaluations, orientation, training, and development of the departmental budget. Maintains consistency and a continuous workflow between the Operating Room and the Sterile Processing department. Ensures efficient, safe, and effective instrument and equipment availability, in accordance with regulatory requirements and Methodist Hospitals standards.

Responsibilities

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES(*Essential Functions)

Leads Sterile Processing staff and provides input for disciplinary measures, discharges, promotions and performance evaluations.

Serves as liaison between surgery, cath/ep lab, nursing units, and other user departments and Sterile Processing Department staff.

Ensures safe, efficient practices for decontamination, instrument assembly, wrapping and sterilization of all reprocessed instruments and distribution equipment.

Coordinates with the Operating Room staff to prepare the OR suite for surgery by assisting in instrument and equipment preparation and removing unsterile instrumentation and scopes for the OR area.

Ensures that required instrumentation has been sterilized and is available for the next day, call or weekend surgery cases.

Operate and maintain all equipment utilized within the Sterile Processing Department and the knowledge of sterilization processes with the ability to instruct others as required.

Knowledgeable of supplies, equipment, instrumentation and sterilization techniques.

Communicates with the Operating Room staff prior to the cases to determine specific instrument and supply needs.

Ensures supply needs are available and is able to resolve issues and/or offer alternatives.

Transports sterilized instrumentation to the OR area as needed.

Understands and utilizes principles of safety in the functioning of steam sterilizers, and washers.

Follows recommended practice standards of AORN, AAMI, CDC, manufacturers, and hospital procedures.

Accurately performs quality assurance testing for all methods of sterilization to assure sterilization of all equipment and supplies.

Maintains records of sterilization monitoring in compliance with regulatory requirements and hospital policy and is responsible for creating and maintaining physician preference cards.

Contributes to the achievement of organization and department goals through effective participation as a team member.

Supports departmental initiatives to meet productivity standards and flexible staffing needs.

Ensures optimal sterile processing performance, through quality control and quality assurance of all Sterile Processing activities and equipment.

Develops and administers a comprehensive departmental orientation for new staff.

Assures departmental standards of operation and policies are in compliance with regulatory and professional agencies.

Manages the instrument inventory, related tracking and distribution processes to meet the Hospital and regulatory requirements.

Monitors the activities related to the production and distribution of case carts.

Establishes and maintains proper and continuous supply flow within the department and to other departments within the Hospital.

Plans and directs the activities involved in the acquisition, decontamination, storage, assembly, cleaning and sterilization of medical, surgical and related supplies, materials and equipment utilized in the care and treatment of patients.

Ensures department preventive maintenance, custodial and general area upkeep is current.

Ensures all productivity and budgetary standards are met, and provides complete and timely reports and updates on activities and achievements.

Performs all other duties as requested and assigned.

Qualifications

JOB SPECIFICATIONS(Minimum Requirements)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Appropriate knowledge to identify all instruments and their assembly that remain in CSR and those used by the Operating Room and other specialty areas.
• Working knowledge of proper care and handling of surgical instruments.
• Understands and verbalizes knowledge of instrument decontamination and sterilization processes.
• Requires ability to prioritize and coordinate complex daily activities.
• Intermediate computer skills required with aptitude for troubleshooting problems.
• Ability to work under pressure in a rapidly changing, high stress environment.
• Excellent communication skills.

EDUCATION

• High school graduation or GED equivalent is required.
• Certificate in Sterile Processing is preferred.
• Three (3) years of prior work experience with instrument processing and case cart preparation is preferred.
• Two (2) year Lead / Charge / Coordinator Experience in sterile processing and / or materials management and/ or operating room management is preferred.
• CSPDS, CSPDM, CHL, CHMMC, or CRCST certification is required within 6 months of employment in this position, in order to maintain employment.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIORMeets the Standards of Behavior as outlined in Personnel Policy and Procedure #1, Employee Relations Code.CONFIDENTIALITY/HIPAA/CORPORATE COMPLIANCEDemonstrates knowledge of procedures for protecting and maintaining security, confidentiality and integrity of employee, patient, family, organizational and other medical information. Understands and supports the commitment of Methodist Hospitals in adhering to federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing ethical business practices for healthcare providers.DISCLAIMER - The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.