OR Sterile Program Coordinator

OR Sterile Program Coordinator

The OR Sterile Program Coordinator assesses, develops, plans, facilitates, mentors, provides one-on-one teaching of skills, leads and coordinates the education and training for all OR Sterile employees, as well as for outside CHH clinics that perform sterilization. The education and training programs are thorough, concise and yet clear, setting a foundation for a consistent standard of performance. In addition, this role is responsible for:

• Set-up and develop an apprenticeship program for new employees who have no prior experience in sterile processing to obtain the Sterile Processing certification.
• Conducts and records department/safety orientation for: new hires, annual compliance, safety violations, and as needed related to sterile processing. Including the surgery center and off site clinics.
• Through observation and past performance records, the educator will identify areas of concern and implement programs for process improvement.
• Creates educational pamphlets and presentations.
• Determines measurable goals and objectives for educational programs.
• Organizes and conducts educational sessions and formal trainings on a regular basis (Main CHH campus and Surgery Center).
• Modifies educational content, training programs, and methodologies as needed.
• Incorporates appropriate teaching methodologies to meet identified needs and course objectives.
• Conducts competency evaluations through skill demonstration and written assessments to determine areas for performance improvement.
• Develops and uses evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of training.
• Collaborates with vendors to coordinate and promote educational events.
• Provides feedback to managers regarding orientations, training and educational process of staff members.
• Continuously researches and studies the professional field of Sterile Processing and Materials Management.
• Participates in continuing education programs to: improve course curriculum and content, improve interaction between employees and patients, update best practices, and maintain professional competence and skills needed to perform duties adequately.
• Documents improvement findings and updates; submits reports to the Manager.
• Creates, records, and maintains accurate in-service records with complete accuracy as required by the customer and regulatory agencies.
• Ensures that records, attendance logs, and other educational documentation are accurate and completed in a timely manner.
• Engages in process and quality improvement activities.
• Ensures that processes and services are continuously monitored for: quality, cost effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Ensures that services are provided in accordance with state and Federal regulations, organizational policy, and accreditation compliance requirements.
• Makes and implements recommendations to improve operational quality efficiency and implement new services for areas of responsibility.
• Collects data for performance improvement initiatives within OR Sterile
• Provides information to management on the implication of policies and procedures being formulated, and recommends specific action.
• Contributes an educational perspective as an influential member of the department.
• Manages updates in the instrument tracking system and provides support to staff with issues within the tracking system.
• Facilitates the apprenticeship program, by teaching, updating the program, and preparing new technicians to obtain the Certified Sterile Processing Technician Certification (CRCST).
• Assists department leadership with updating the department's policies and procedures in adherence to Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IASCHMM), and Association or Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN).
• Assists with disciplinary action involving quality of work during orientation.
• Collaborates with Regulatory services and Infection Control to meet department compliance.
• Rounds with the Environment of Care team to ensure proper handling and storage of sterile supplies and instrumentation in CHH and off site clinics.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

  The OR Sterile Training Coordinator exercises professional discretion and collaboration with the OR Sterile Manager, OR Sterile Supervisor and Shift Coordinators, OR Manager, CHH Surgery Center Operations Manager, Perioperative Educator, Regulatory Readiness, Infection Control and outside clinic office managers and personnel in the practice of proper sterilization, inspection, and storage of sterile items. The OR Sterile Training Coordinator will serve as a resource person to assist with other assignments as assigned.

  Required qualifications:

  • High School diploma or equivalent required.
  • Junior College/Technical School/Associate's Degree preferred.
  • AHA BLS required.
  • CRCST required.
  • CIS (Within 6 months of hire) required.
  • CHL (Within 1 year of hire) required.
  • Minimum of 2 Years of Position-Related Experience required. 5+ years preferred.

  The kind of position-related experience includes:

  • Responsible for adherence of quality control on all sterilizers (i.e. biological, chemical, and mechanical monitoring) according to the standards set by: TJC, AORN, CMS, and AAMI.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships within the facility and outside clinics.
  • Performs others duties as management may direct.
  • Have knowledge of and stay in compliance with applicable infection control policies and procedures.
  • Can assess, and identify educational needs.
  • Able to stay compliant with policies and procedures implemented by the department and facility.
  • Able to operate fairly complex machines and equipment in the department.
  • Able to acquire a thorough knowledge of aseptic technique principles and apply such principles when carrying various duties throughout the department.
  • Able to differentiate between steam and Sterrad supplies