Sterile Processing Coordinator

Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. *** Evening Shift *** At Houston Methodist, the Sterile Processing Coordinator position will oversee and coordinate the activities of the Sterile Processing department and service line, as appropriate, to include ensuring new employees are properly oriented and trained, monitoring workflow and volume of work, and reviewing and maintaining department supply needs. This position is responsible for the monthly schedule and daily shift assignments, staff performance evaluation feedback to the appropriate manager, and assisting in the development of the departmental budget. This position also coordinates the daily activities and personnel involved with decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, reprocessing and sterilization of instrumentation and assembly of case carts for the unit. The Sterile Processing Coordinator will maintain consistent and continuous workflow between the Operating Room (OR) and Sterile Processing and is responsible for assisting the Manager in meeting all regulatory requirements for the unit related to these activities. FLSA STATUS Non-exempt QUALIFICATIONS Education High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.) Experience Six years of Sterile Processing experience in an acute care hospital. Licenses and Certifications Sterile Processing certification: CSCST or CSPDT. Instrument Specialist certification: CIS or CSIS. Skills and Abilities Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations. Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English at a level necessary to perform essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security. Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles. Advanced knowledge of infection control, decontamination, and sterilization techniques. Knowledge and ability to operate, troubleshoot, and train staff on all departmental equipment including sterilizers, washers, ultrasonic washers, and cart washers. Proficiency in utilizing basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office and electronic instrument tracking systems, if applicable. Utilizes all departmental equipment according to manufacturers’ instructions for use and departmental policies and protocols. Demonstrates proper phone etiquette when responding to inquiries made to the department. Completes departmental and institutional competencies within established required timelines. Maintains patient and family privacy. Essential Functions People Essential Functions Coordinates and assigns processing services based on technician acuity levels, ensuring instruments and supplies are decontaminated and reprocessed in a timely manner, and serves as the primary resource for staff in all areas of service performed by the department. Serves as a role model and mentor, facilitating teamwork with OR staff to provide timely sterile products, trays, and case carts, and maintains consistent workflow between the OR and Sterile Processing. Communicates actively, positively, and effectively with all interprofessional health care team members, listens and responds to ideas of others, and coaches staff in effective verbal, non‑verbal, and written communication. Initiates recommendations in collaboration with management for improvement of employee engagement score. Service Essential Functions Coordinates the daily interface between sterile processing, surgery, and materials management, as well as other departments within and outside Houston Methodist, to ensure supplies and instruments are available as needed for service lines. Partners with SP Liaison to prepare items in advance for the following day's OR needs and anticipates needs by ensuring all supplies or instrumentation not routinely available within the department are obtained and ready before scheduled surgery cases. Plans and monitors staffing levels to ensure appropriate staffing at all times, regulates scheduling and department staff assignments based on departmental needs, and provides daily reporting to management of needs, issues, and important information necessary to ensure departmental success. Quality/Safety Essential Functions Serves as the primary quality assurance resource through periodic audits, reviews, and revises policies and procedures to reflect industry standards and recommended practices for sterile processing, ensuring department performance follows Houston Methodist policies, procedures, and guidelines from regulatory agencies. Ensures effective sterilization process using internal, external, and biological monitoring systems, and applies established department protocols and sterilizer manufacturers’ instructions. Accurately tracks all instrumentation in conjunction with the SP Liaison for specific service lines and maintains records of sterile area environment requirements per AAMI, OSHA, and/or AORN guidelines. Monitors, reads, documents, and interprets all parameters for all types of sterilizers (Steam, Ethylene Oxide (ETO), and Low Temperature Hydrogen Peroxide). Finance Essential Functions Monitors staffing levels against budgeted targets and adjusts to meet goals, keeping management informed to proactively address staffing or other employee issues. Maintains the shift’s monthly schedule and daily shift assignments, provides input on staff performance evaluation, and assists in development of department budget needs. Collaborates with Materials Management to identify supply needs and ordering of non‑sterile items requiring processing. Growth/Innovation Essential Functions Leads and identifies opportunities for practice changes and performance improvement, investigates and incorporates evidence‑based practices presented to shared governance and leadership, and supports change initiatives while adapting to unexpected changes. Identifies staff development opportunities for professional growth, coaches to meet identified goals, assists department educator in scheduling necessary in‑services, provides oversight for new employee preceptorships, and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis. Supplemental Requirements Work Attire Uniform: Yes Scrubs: Yes Business professional: No Other (department approved): No On‑Call Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection below. On‑call: Yes Travel Travel specifications may vary by department. May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr