Supervisor - Sterile Processing

*** Evening Shift ***
At Houston Methodist, the Supervisor Sterile Processing position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Sterile Processing to support efficient operation in the OR and Ancillary Departments such as Cath-lab, Endovascular Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Emergency department etc. This position ensures trays are prioritized in decontamination, assembly, sterilization and case-cart. The Supervisor Sterile Processing position ensures information is distributed to staff in an effective & timely manner, technicians are coached, mentored and held accountable as needed, and coordinators are working closely with technicians to distribute a high-quality product to the operating room.

The supervisor position responsibilities include overseeing the daily work activities of the work unit/department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence and efficiency. This position trains and supervises staff while maintaining adequate staffing levels and budget compliance. The supervisor position contributes to staffing decisions such as hiring, coaching and counseling employees on work related performance. This position assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. Other duties for the supervisor position include participating in performance improvement activities, as well as providing support for department management to achieve operational goals. This position may also perform staff duties and responsibilities as needed.

FLSA STATUS
Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Associate’s degree or additional two years of work experience in lieu of degree

EXPERIENCE

• Four years working in central sterile processing, manufacturing, logistics, or assembly in a healthcare environment of which two years must have been in a role with progressive leadership responsibility

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• Sterile Processing certification: CRCST or CSPDT and
• Instrument Specialist certification: CIS or CSIS and
• CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader (HSPA) - Healthcare Sterile Processing Association _PSV within 1 year

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate through a variety of channels with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles; engages the recipient(s) and helps them understand and retain the message
• Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative, effective interpersonal skills, and oral/written communication skills
• Ability to identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities; and recommend solutions
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace
• Demonstrates proficiency in operating a computer (MS Word) and perform moderate to complex analyses of instrument tracking data
• Critical thinking with the ability to offer practical solutions to relative items managed
• Working knowledge of the entire Sterile Processing process with extensive knowledge of an Instrument Tracking System

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees in the department. Provides development and mentoring of staff. Ensures that all department staff are properly trained and comply with all policies and procedures. Assists with meeting or exceeding threshold goal for department turnover.
• Consults with department leadership on coaching/corrective counseling and staff performance to achieve desired outcomes. Conducts new hire feedback sessions and provides recognition/commendations, as appropriate.
• Creates and maintains an environment of collaboration by role modeling teamwork within the department. Effectively interacts within and between departments ensuring seamless flow of information/communication. Role models clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution to achieve mutual understanding. Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently.
• Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
• Coaches, develops, trains and mentors team members to build competency of skills, knowledge and abilities to identify and resolve problems, make sound decision and achieve business objectives.
• Works collaboratively with the other Sterile Processing staff/teams to ensure that trays are complete, instruments are ordered immediately once reported, and concerns are addressed or escalated as needed.
• Serves as the initial point of contact for customer concerns. Escalates issues when appropriate. Builds relationships with clinical partners to foster positive interactions and meet expected outcomes for services provided.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversees daily department operations, schedule and activities. Sets priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
• Organizes the workflow, proactively problem solves, anticipates needs, and manages multiple ongoing priorities. Provides reports to management of needs, issues to be addressed, and all-important information necessary to ensure department success. Serves and actively participates on various committees as directed.
• Oversees all major areas such as decontam, assembly, sterilization and case-cart to ensure trays are being prioritized. Follows turnover procedures.
• Organizes the workflow, pro-actively problem-solves, anticipates needs, ability to supervise multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision. Role-models’ skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, to contribute towards improving department efficiencies and customer satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures a safe and effective working environment; assists in monitoring and/or revising the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory agency required safety guidelines.
• Uses and optimizes information systems to enhance operations; participates in performance improvement and data management/analysis functions as directed.
• Employs a proactive approach in the optimization of positive outcomes by monitoring and improving the department workflow, supporting peer-to-peer accountability, and identifying solutions via collaboration. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety. Participates in investigations as a result of the root cause analysis process as assigned by manager.
• Monitors self and ensures employee compliance with policies, procedures, and System HR Standards of Practice and performs associated actions upon non-compliance (i.e., focal point review requirements, disaster plan, in-services, influenza immunization, wage and hour, standard hours, timely termination submission, timely timecard approval, etc.).
• Perform tray Audits in all major areas as needed, e.g., ensure technicians are flushing lumens and cleaning Rongeurs in decontam, trays are not being put up missing items that are stocked on the peg board and Case-cart, sterilization loads have biologicals, trays have filters.
• Reports damage/defective equipment to Facilities Maintenance Services/IT/Dispatch and other appropriate departments.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in the management of essential and non-essential department expenditures to achieve financial target through optimization of productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications.
• Manages staffing needs including scheduling, time off requests and timekeeping to meet department demands, minimizing incidental overtime.
• Oversees department operations to ensure integrity of the on-hand physical inventory and supports the efficient resolution of recall and back-order issues impacting customers. Accountable for processes and results of the inventory in the various inventory business units throughout the hospital.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implements change, demonstrating the ability to motivate employees and follow through to ensure change in behavior has actually occurred. Supports Houston Methodist and department goals and vision. Identifies industry trends and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department operations.
• Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving competencies, performance and outcomes. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging staff/team members in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Conducts conversations with staff on their development and My Development Plan (MDP).
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-developmental needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates MDP on an on-going basis.
• Supports hospital and department goals and offers innovative solutions through participation in department projects. Contributes ideas towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of department processes. Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals.
• Maintains current knowledge of industry practices and improves operations by identifying trends and recommending action. Works with management to identify opportunities for product substitution, cost reduction, product trends and comparison with other units.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Associate’s degree or additional two years of work experience in lieu of degree

EXPERIENCE

• Four years working in central sterile processing, manufacturing, logistics, or assembly in a healthcare environment of which two years must have been in a role with progressive leadership responsibility

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• Sterile Processing certification: CRCST or CSPDT and
• Instrument Specialist certification: CIS or CSIS and
• CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader (HSPA) - Healthcare Sterile Processing Association _PSV within 1 year