Sterile Processing Department Liaison Coordinator

Sterile Processing Supervisor

Reporting to Supervisor of Sterile Processing Operations, oversees dayshift reprocessing staff duties related to decontamination, cleaning, sterilization, assembly and preparation of instruments and trays for use in Hospital's operating rooms. Schedules staff: conducts orientation and training activities including in-service events, assigns work and evaluates performance. Establishes and updates priorities to meet anticipated and emergent needs in accordance with supervisor's direction. Performs all duties related to operating room sterile processing staff as required to meet customer needs or workload requirements.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

Responsibilities:

• Daily communication with OR management and SPD leadership on instrument needs turn overs, and frictions. Meets with and works with Operating Room staff and surgeons as required.
• Ensures accuracy and completeness of all administrative documents and functions related to the position.
• Conducts instrument processing satisfaction surveys audits as needed.
• Keep track of case-flow during the shift and notifies the Sterile Processing Supervisor of Operations in advance of additional needs and follows up in a timely manner for completeness.
• All request/needs from the OR are funneled through Coordinator to Supervisor and vice versa to keep track of instrument flow and needs throughout the shift.
• Assigns staff assignments as needed in collaboration with the SPD supervisors.
• Assist with the planning and coordination of instrument turnarounds and communicate with the surgical team regarding information that may affect surgery start time.
• Review the accuracy of surgical trays and resolve any discrepancies that may arise.
• Perform data analysis to understand trends and identify operational issues within the Operating Room and Sterile Processing Department.
• Assists The Instrument Management Supervisor in the routing of instrumentation for routine sharpening by obtaining and completing required forms for approval.
• Documents and sends broken instrumentation out for repair. Completes documentation as required for inventory/equipment requests, instrument sets, etc. Orders and procures loaner instrumentation.
• Shares knowledge with co-workers through open communication at huddles and in-services for continuous upgrading of skills.
• Acts as preceptor as needed to ensure proper training of all new SPD Techs especially in the CORE area and anything concerning case cart systems.
• Ensures proper operational processes are followed by all members of the APD, OR and Vendor team in conjunction with the Department of Health, TJC, OSHA, CDC, AAMI, AORN standards, facilities policies, and procedures.
• Coverers for absent supervisor
• Performs SPD Tech duties as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School level of knowledge, including ability to operate personal computer. Additional formal coursework in sterilization techniques (i.e. HLD) with certification as central service technician (CRCST) within a year of acquiring position.
• Certified in related field with two or more years of experience and/or have the ability to obtain certification within 12 months.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology.
• Knowledge and understanding of a variety of OR procedures' surgical instruments.
• Knowledge of OR workflow, procedures, medical terminology, instrumentation.
• Knowledge of infection control and health &safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, coworkers and all levels of leadership that includes the Operating Room and physicians.
• Demonstrated customer centric behavior. Proficient analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, plan, and resolve issues in complex situations.
• Ability to multi-task projects including the ability to plan and organize.
• Flexible and self-motivated.

Experience:

Two or more years related experience in a similarly complex surgical services environment. Experience should demonstrate thorough knowledge of effective sterilizing techniques and experience in processing variety of surgical instruments used in services such as cardiovascular, neurosurgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, genitourinary and plastic surgery. Demonstrated effective organizational, communication and leadership skills. Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

Works in reprocessing area with exposure to detergents and cleaning agents, cuts, punctures and burns when decontaminating, cleaning, wrapping and sterilizing equipment and instruments. Hazards are minimized by following established safety procedures and precautions. Physical ability to stand for long period of time, to lift and carry moderately heavy surgical trays, and to push carts into sterilization unit.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Leadership responsibilities, including training, work assignment, and performance evaluation of up to 10 ftes.

Pay Range: $20.96-$34.61

EEO Statement: Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital - 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type: M-F 10:00pm-6:30am weekend/holiday on call rotation

Work Shift: Night

Daily Hours: 8 hours

Driving Required: No