Manager, Sterile Processing

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Work Shift

Various (United States of America)

Manager of Sterile Processing Department

Must be open to 1st, 2nd or 3rd shift based on department needs.

Job Summary

The Sterile Processing Manager functions under the direction of the Surgical Services Director and is responsible for the oversight; coordination and implementation of surgical instrument processing and work flow to support surgical services. This includes the processing of supplies and equipment, performing cleaning and sterilization duties, preparing surgical packs, supplies, linens and instruments in the central supply area. The Manager will work with other surgical services leaders to assure a defined and efficient process is in place so that operating rooms are adequately stocked with necessary equipment /supplies so that surgical cases operate efficiently and on-time. The manager has responsibilities for the oversight, coordination and implementation of surgical instrument sterilization process, quality control, safety and working condition of equipment and cleaning units, storage of equipment and work flow delivery for surgical supplies. The Manager is also responsible for the designated surgical processing division staffing and budgetary functions. The Manager of Sterile Processing will work in conjunction with other Surgical Services leaders to assure surgical instrument and supply demands of the Surgical Service team members and physicians are met on an ongoing basis.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Leadership and Oversight for Daily Operations of Surgical Processing Division:

• Develops strategic plans for the development and implementation of an effective surgical processing division within surgical services.
• Conducts all HR functions related to staffing this division that includes the selection of employees, maintenance of schedule with adequate staffing to meet department demands, conducting education and training of new staff, conducting disciplinary actions when necessary, reward/recognition and annual performance reviews.
• Maintains capital and operational budget. Utilizing appropriate cost management techniques.
• Monitors division productivity, safety and quality initiatives including quality control and other documentation to assure adherence to regulatory standards and hospital policy and procedures.
• Presents data to surgical services leaders on the effectiveness of surgical processing. Identifies areas that have potential to be problematic and institutes opportunities for improvement or needed changes.
• Works with other division within surgical services such as the surgical services committee, PI committee, Safety and Quality and Committee a PICC commitment.
• Accountable for defined metrics of the division such as start times, turn- around time, customer service and other metrics as they relate to supplies and equipment.

Assures Consistent application of Aseptic/Sterile Technique of all Instruments and Supplies:

• Develops and implements processes so that appropriate and consistent application of Aseptic/Sterile Techniques of all Instruments and Supplies is conducted
• Assures that appropriate collection, receipts, disinfection, and decontaminates of instruments, supplies and equipment is conducted according to hospital policies and procedures, AORN recommendations, AAMI guidelines, JCAHO and other regulatory requirements and standards.
• Oversight for the maintenance of all Safety and PI logs to demonstrate compliance with hospital standards and regulatory requirements.
• Submits appropriate data to leaders, PI committees and others to demonstrate compliance with appropriate cleaning and sterilization of supplies.
• Oversight of daily productivity to assure that equipment and supplies are readily available for each surgical case.

Surgical Services Equipment Management

• Develops and implements policies and processes so that all surgical instruments and medical equipment is inspected and any need for repair or replacement are detected immediately. Any suspects of cleanliness, assemble, wraps or containerizes instruments and equipment will be identified and logged and reviewed by the Manager to develop proactive prevention strategies
• Develops and implements process and procedures to assures that all equipment is cleaned, inspected, and maintained on instruments/equipment and supplies to assure in good working condition and available on a 24-hour basis
• Oversight for the maintenance of all required regulatory documentation of sterilization records and surgical supplies such as quality control logs of sterilizing equipment.
• Directs implementation of all surgical processing l policies and procedures related to safety, quality improvement, infection control and other standards. Documents accurately and legibly.
• Coordinates processes for the check and balance of all stock and supplies , assuring proper rotation by expiration date
• Develops process for the delivery of equipment and supplies to the appropriate areas and are restocked as needed ( Case Carts)

Communicates and Participates with Surgical Services Leaders to Assure adequate Work Flow relative to equipment and supplies

• Establishes communication strategy for leaders and medical staff regarding the availability of surgical equipment and supplies. Proactively notifies of any barriers to meeting customer needs.
• Communicates with external vendors regarding current and future equipment needs
• Provides metric driven data regarding the effectiveness of the surgical processing division.
• Participates with surgical services leaders in identification of opportunity for improvement.
• Consistently promotes customer satisfaction through initiatives such as Gallop, customer service surveys and other methods with patients, visitors, physicians and other team members
• Develops programs to assure the privacy, comfort and safety needs of patients are not interrupted in relation to the delivery or set up of supplies or equipment.
• Conducts departmental staff meetings as required.
• Communicates on a routine basis with the Lead Technicians regarding daily operation needs and also communicates with the SPT to assure proper work flow and availability of supplies.

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education

• Bachelors Degree Required OR
• 5 years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of minimum education requirement.

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• CRCST - Cert Reg Central Service Tech or CSPDT - Cert Sterile Proc & Dist Tech Required

Required Minimum Experience

• Minimum 3 years previous surgical services/sterile processing experience required.
• Previous experience in a leadership role required
• Management position, preferably in and a large acute care setting with high volume of cases performed each day strongly preferred.
• Must demonstrate expert knowledge in surgical supply processing and supply management.

Required Minimum Skills

Must have excellent communication skills.

Should be highly organized with ability to set priorities and make adjustments as needed based on daily demands.

Ability to work with all levels of care providers.

Must be self-directed and self-motivated with strong customer service skills.

Must be able to understand, speak and write English well to communicate with surgical services team.

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