Manager Sterile Processing Department

Sterile Processing Manager

Manages, coordinates, and evaluates all elements of financial, material and human resources in the specified areas of responsibility within the realm of Sterile Processing services.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Associate Degree OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 8 years' experience in Sterile Processing.
• Certified Registered Central Service Technician through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician through Certified Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
• Certification as Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) within six (6) months of hire.
• Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) OR Certified Sterile Processing Management through the (CBSPD) within one (1) year of hire.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of Sterile Processing, Surgical Technician, or Surgical Services Nursing experience.
• Three (3) years supervisory, team leader, or coordinator experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nursing, Business or related field.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Manages, coordinates, and evaluates all elements of financial, material and human resources in the specified areas of responsibility within the realm of Sterile Processing services.
• Manages the financial systems, support personnel, and management information systems for the Sterile Processing Department.
• Manages personnel to ensure the availability of an appropriately credentialed, clinically competent, well-developed cohesive work force to meet patient care needs. Establishes departmental staffing matrixes. Activates overtime to cover patient care needs and operational functions. Initiates and maintains appropriate personnel records for responsible areas.
• Oversees the development and implementation of on-going educational programs for professional and support staff which include new employee orientation, needs assessments, annual competencies, in-service continuing education, and new equipment and/or systems training which enables the staff to perform on the basis of current policy/procedures and state-of-the-art practices.
• Provides ongoing feedback to employees concerning job performance through goal development, peer evaluation, and performance evaluations. Coaches and counsels employees under the direction of the VP. Develops and activates employee action plans. Performs stay interviews and frequent touch bases with new employees.
• Leads QI/PI teams for system or hospital to ensure harmonization of policies and procedures. Works in conjunction with the leadership staff and staff/physicians, in identifying areas of opportunity for improved efficiency, cost reduction (through standardization and physician profiling) and improvement in quality care delivery utilizing the Performance Improvement process.
• Works with the Perioperative Leadership team to assist them in developing, monitoring, and controlling cost center budget accounts associated with processing functions. Monitors divisional expenses in conjunction with the Perioperative Leadership team and makes recommendations as needed especially with the management of lost/replacement instrumentation.
• In collaboration with leaders, activates divisional strategic planning initiatives supporting WVU Medicine's mission, values, and goals. Actively leads PI, quality, and patient safety initiatives associated with high level disinfection, sterilization, and instrumentation transport to ensure risk of environmental cross-contamination is minimized and health of employees is safeguarded.
• Monitors, maintains, and coordinates capital equipment purchase plan for Perioperative Services. Analyzes contractual agreements and makes recommendations to the Director. Plans for long term equipment replacements/upgrades.
• Develops product, equipment and new service program proposals utilizing clinical championship processes. Investigates and recommends to VP/Manager equipment needs and repair.
• Engages in fiscal activities in order to ensure the availability of supplies, equipment, and human resources to meet patient care needs in a timely & cost effective manner. Participates in new physician on-boarding. Develops for VP presentation departmental budget. Leads and reports cost saving initiatives.
• Ensures that appropriate documentation systems and reporting policies are implemented and evaluated on a periodic basis in order to meet standards and regulatory agency requirements.
• Works in conjunction with users and IT to ensure most benefit achieved from OR Management System.
• Assures the most economical utilization of time, materials and resources through the review of workflow and staffing patterns in order to achieve optimal productivity and to provide cost effective staffing patterns that ensure appropriate utilization of staff and skill mix. Utilizes lean methodologies to reduce departmental waste.
• Maintains effective communication with Medical Staff, patients, staff and other departments as necessary to assure identification of problems and provide problem resolution in a timely manner and in support of the hospital's mission of quality care delivery. Daily performs expert problem resolution and troubleshooting using crucial conversation skills and service recovery communications.
• Assesses satisfaction issues and takes appropriate action to resolve through daily rounds. Leads employee satisfaction action planning for department and provides progression reports to staff. Ensures the establishment and implementation of a unit culture that is responsive to patients, providers, departments, and staff as well as showcasing WVU Medicine's Behavioral Standards.
• Assists with accomplishment of hospital, divisional, and departmental goals. Serves as hospital technical expert for sterile processing functions supporting in house hospital departments and off-site ambulatory clinics. May participate in outreach activities in the community such as assisting clinical practice groups to design/equip educational booths at local health fairs.
• Updates technical knowledge base to ensure departmental operations and work processes stay up dated and match national standards. Participates in Leadership Forum development to enhance managerial skills, influence, impact, and outcomes.
• Assures the completion of proficiency testing procedures, including evaluation of proficiency testing reports. Assists the Leadership group in coordinating all departmental function in preparation for inspection by accrediting agencies ensuring compliance.
• Leads the development, review, and communication of policies and procedures ensuring information is available for staff in a timely manner and incorporates into unit practice routines. Ensures policies and procedures follow national standards and regulatory requirements.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must meet Department of Labor's MEDIUM duty standard (MEDIUM WORK- exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly).
• Able to bend, stoop, reach and be capable of normal rotation, standing and walking for an 8-12 hour shift.
• Must be capable of lifting up to 60 pounds and pushing loaded carts weighting in excess of 200 pounds.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical working environment may include, but not limited to, any of the following hazards: high pressure steam, chemical, electrical, mechanical, bio-waste, stress, back strain, body fluids, etc
• Environmental conditions may include, but not limited to, variations in temperature, noise, odors, multi-stimuli, etc.
• Will be working in PPE for extended period of time.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Strong background knowledge of surgical and procedural environments and governing practice standards including the need for excellent personal hygiene to reduce the risk of work product contamination.

2. Strong background knowledge of sterile processing environment, including packaging systems, sterilization process, care and handling of instrumentation and equipment.

3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must demonstrate English verbal and written proficiencies to utilize written high level disinfection/sterilization guidelines and manufacturers' instructions for use (IFU's).

4. Working knowledge of information systems, inventory control, and supply chain processes, preferably in the health care setting.

5. Ability to independently plan, organize, and set priorities in routine and/or emergency situations.

6. Knowledge of automated materials management and OR/procedural scheduling information system applications as well as Microsoft Office functionalities.

7. Leadership skills needed to lead small work groups and present concepts to a diverse audience of both consumers and providers of service demonstrating excellent analytical, communication, and problem solving skills.