Surgical Inventory Control Specialist II

Job Description

Job Description

  Our Mission

All of us, for each of you, every time.

Our Vision

Together, serving as the trusted regional healthcare partner.

Our Values

Listen~Love~Respect~Excel~Innovate

At Samaritan, we do more than deliver healthcare—we make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community every day. We’re committed to creating an exceptional workplace where professionals feel valued, supported, and inspired to provide outstanding care to every patient we serve.

The Surgical Inventory Control Specialist II is responsible for the daily management, organization, and control of supplies, equipment, instruments, implants, and other inventory utilized within Surgical Services. This position works closely with the Surgical Services Manager, OR staff, Sterile Processing, Materials Management, surgeons, vendors, and other departments to ensure appropriate supplies are available for scheduled procedures while maintaining accurate inventory levels and responsible fiscal management.

The Inventory Control Specialist plays an important role in case readiness, supply availability, inventory accuracy, cost containment, and patient safety. The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, knowledge of surgical supplies and workflows, and the ability to anticipate the needs of the surgical schedule.

This is a full-time position working Monday through Friday from 6:30am PST to 3:00pm PST.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  

Inventory Management  

1. Maintain accurate inventory of surgical supplies, specialty items, implants, equipment, and other Surgical Services inventory.
2. Establish and maintain appropriate par levels based on procedure volume, utilization, lead times, and clinical needs.
3. Perform routine cycle counts and physical inventory audits.
4. Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies.
5. Maintain an organized, clean, and standardized supply storage system.
6. Rotate supplies using appropriate expiration-management practices.
7. Monitor inventory for overstock, understock, slow-moving, and obsolete products.

Surgical Case Readiness  

1. Review the surgical schedule regularly to anticipate supply and equipment needs.
2. Identify specialty supplies, implants, instruments, and equipment required for upcoming procedures.
3. Verify availability of critical or limited-stock items prior to scheduled cases.
4. Communicate potential supply shortages or concerns to the appropriate clinical staff and surgeon.
5. Assist with ensuring supplies are available and appropriately prepared prior to the start of surgical procedures.
6. Coordinate with SPD regarding instrument availability and specialty instrument needs.

Ordering & Receiving  

1. Place supply orders according to established processes and inventory needs.
2. Monitor vendor lead times, backorders, substitutions, and product availability.
3. Receive and inspect incoming supplies for quantity, accuracy, damage, expiration dates, and packaging integrity.
4. Ensure supplies are properly stored following receipt.
5. Communicate receiving discrepancies to Materials Management, vendors, or the appropriate department.

Cost Containment & Utilization  

1. Monitor supply utilization and identify opportunities to reduce waste and unnecessary expenditures.
2. Track high-cost and high-use products.
3. Identify opportunities for product standardization and consolidation.
4. Monitor opened-but-unused, expired, damaged, and wasted supplies.
5. Work collaboratively with clinical staff and leadership to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising patient safety or quality of care.
6. Assist with product evaluations, conversions, and standardization initiatives.

Charge Capture and Revenue Integrity  

1. Keep surgical supply and implant information in the hospital’s billing system accurate and up to date.
2. Review surgical cases to make sure supplies and implants used during procedures are charged correctly.
3. Process items that require billing only (“bill-only” items) and make sure implant information is properly documented.
4. Identify and investigate billing or charge errors and work with Finance and Revenue Cycle teams to correct them.
5. Follow hospital policies and regulatory requirements for accurately charging surgical supplies and implants.

Expiration, Recall & Product Management  

1. Routinely monitor inventory for expiration dates per established process.
2. Remove expired or compromised products according to hospital policy.
3. Assist with recall management and ensure affected products are identified, removed, and appropriately documented.
4. Maintain accurate product information, including manufacturer, item number, lot number, and expiration information when applicable.
5. Manage consignment and specialty inventory.

Equipment & Specialty Product Management  

1. Maintain appropriate tracking of specialty surgical equipment and reusable equipment.
2. Coordinate with vendors regarding specialty equipment, loaner equipment, and procedure-specific needs.
3. Assist with management of robotic surgery supplies and equipment, including da Vinci Xi and DV5-related disposable instruments and accessories, as applicable.
4. Identify missing, damaged, or unavailable equipment and communicate concerns promptly.
5. Assist with maintaining appropriate equipment and supply availability for specialty procedures.

Inventory Systems & Documentation  

1. Maintain accurate inventory information within applicable hospital inventory management systems.
2. Update product information, locations, par levels, and other inventory data as needed.
3. Maintain required documentation related to inventory, receiving, recalls, consignment items, and vendor products.
4. Generate or assist with inventory reports as requested.
5. Maintain accurate records to support auditing, purchasing, and financial management.

Communication & Collaboration  

1. Maintain effective communication with Surgical Services leadership, OR nurses, surgical technologists, SPD, Materials Management, Purchasing, surgeons, anesthesia, vendors, and other stakeholders.
2. Participate in department meetings and quality improvement initiatives as appropriate.
3. Communicate supply concerns proactively rather than waiting for shortages to impact patient care.
4. Serve as a resource to staff regarding supply location, availability, and appropriate inventory processes.
5. Promote compliance with hospital policies and procedures related to inventory management and supply handling.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The individual in this position reports to the Peri-Operative Services Director. This position works closely with physicians and staff in order to ensure optimal patient care and outcomes.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Education:
  1. High school diploma or GED.
• License:
  1. Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRST), or able to obtain within 2 years of hire
• Certification:
  1. Basic Life Support Heartsaver (HS) level to be completed within 30 days of hire
• Skills/Competencies:
  1. Experience with inventory of materials, and asset management.
  2. Computer skills (Word, Excel).
  3. Knowledge of inventory management concepts.
  4. Knowledge of EPIC inventory charges.
  5. Must have a working knowledge of surgical procedures and supplies.
  6. Excellent communication skills and ability to work closely with individuals from various backgrounds and professional expertise, including physicians, nursing staff, Materials Management, and vendors. 
  7. Excellent organizational skills.
  8. Healthcare Provider – (HCP) level of BLS to be completed upon hire.
  9. Demonstrates competency on equipment listed on department specific checklist.
  10. Critical thinking skills: Seeks resources for direction, when necessary. Performs independent problem solving. Decision-making is logical and deliberate.
  11. Performs actions that demonstrate accountability. Exercises safe judgment in decision-making. Practices within legal and ethical guidelines. 
  12. Demonstrates competency in ability to care for customers/patients across the age continuum.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  

1. Frequent and at times prolonged standing, walking, lifting, reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and pulling.
2. Manual dexterity.
3. Heavy physical effort, ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. (supplies and equipment).
4. Good reading eyesight. Able to see clearly 20 feet or more, to judge distance and space relationships, and to see peripherally. Full visual acuity, color perception.
5. Ability to communicate using verbal and/or written skills for accurate exchange of information with physicians, nurses, health care professionals, patients and/or family, and the public

 

As a Samaritan professional, you will be asked to commit to being part of a culture grounded in our Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy that brings service and operational excellence to life each day while creating an exceptional experience for our patients, professionals, physicians, and students. Additionally, how we present ourselves matters, and adherence to our Professional Appearance Policy reflects the pride, respect, and professionalism we bring to those we serve.