Sterile Processing Supervisor

General Information:

Job title: Sterile Processing Supervisor

Schedule: Full-time, 80 hours per week; Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Position Summary:

The Sterile Processing Supervisor position provides on-site support, training, and communication regarding the reprocessing of surgical instruments and trays to contracted facilities in compliance with the Department of Health, TJC, OSHA, CDC, AAMI and AORN standards and facilities goals and policies. This position is also responsible for the supervision and coordination of the Sterile Processing Department.

Position Responsibilities:

• Basic medical terminology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and the fundamental principles of infection control; decontamination and sterilization of patient care supplies among other duties not listed below. Apply fundamental principles in a technical and specialized work environment using basic medical terminology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, infection control, decontamination, sterilization, and approved industry practices.
• Apply fundamental analytical and problem-solving skills; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers, vendors, agencies and public.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the operation of all hospital sterile supply and distribution services including cleaning, sterilizing, assembling, and storing of medical supplies.
• Establishes, reviews, and monitors professional standards of practice for infection control, safety, and quality assurance to meet The Joint Commission requirements and AAMI (Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) standards and guidelines. Review the series of records associated with quality assurance and institutional accreditation.
• Writes, updates, and implements policies and procedures for the storage and distribution of sterile processing equipment; confers with vendors and sales representatives on new items and changes in supplies and service.
• Provides training, orientation, and ongoing in-service to staff in the principles and practices of sterilization and aseptic techniques and in the use and care of new and/or specialized equipment.
• Maintains and monitors a system for routine ordering, tracking of back orders and identification of appropriate substitutes; plans, organizes and supervises the daily, monthly, and annual inventory system.
• Interviews, selects, and supervises the work performance of subordinate employees; conducts performance evaluations, develops and adjusts work schedules to maximize service within the available resources and assigns work to subordinates.
• Intermittently travels to outreach clinics to ensure they are informed of any regulatory or departmental changes.
• Detect deviations and apply corrective actions associated with work safety commonly found in a sterile processing and sterilization unit. Detect inconsistencies of various quality assurance indicators associated with the sterilization process; differentiate sterilization methods, parameters, and properties.
• Perform other duties as requested within scope of practice.

Position Requirements:

• Certified Surgical Technologist certification required.
• Active certification in sterile processing/central sterile via CBSPD or IAHCSMM recommended.
• 2+ years of Sterile Processing experience required. 6+ months of progressively responsible lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong computer skills required including a working knowledge of MS Word and MS Excel. Experience with an instrument tracking system preferred.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of aseptic technique principles.
• Extensive knowledge of methods of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization.
• Extensive knowledge of operation and troubleshooting of all equipment use in Reprocessing.
• Understanding of the principles and commitment to all standards of the OSHA Blood-borne pathogens standard.
• Ability to work independently and interact with staff, department director, and medical staff on sensitive clinical practice issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrates team-building aptitude.
• Demonstrates sound leadership, interpersonal, customer service, work prioritization skills, and job-specific troubleshooting skills.