Sterile Processing Supervisor

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:
1. High School Diploma or Equivalent.
2. Graduate of an approved surgical tech and/or certified central service tech program.
3. Certification through Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) or CBSPD.
4. Certification as Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) through HSPA within 1 year of hire OR Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) through CBSPD within 1 year of hire OR if working in endoscopy, Certification as an Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) or Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) within 1 year of hire.
5. Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) OR Management in Sterile Processing (CSPM) within 1 year of hire.
EXPERIENCE:
1. Three (3) years of related sterile processing experience
2. One (1) year supervisory, team lead, or coordinator experience.

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 all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Manages personnel to ensure the availability of skilled technicians to meet patient care needs following established productivity standards. Acts in the absence of the manager as appropriate.
2. Implements and coordinates SPD operational procedures in conjunction with the Manager. Includes work processes governing the decontamination, processing, and sterilization of procedure instruments, trays, scopes, instrument implants, supplies, and equipment. Responsible for the daily practice compliance to regulatory standards, policies/procedures, and national organizational standards.
3. Develops and manages systems which assure the accuracy of inventory counts and PAR levels based on usage and history of products including performing audits to improve product quality to the end user. Ex: Par Level Cart, Case Cart, and Instrument.
4. Ensures that all implant and specialty carts are inventoried to allow correct replacement of used supplies per Materials Management standards.
5. Trains all new technicians on job duties/work system procedures to ensure optimal job performance per department standards
6. Approves time off for technicians to ensure optimal coverage for staffing per department standards.
7. Activates problem resolution and troubleshooting actions to prevent patient procedural delays.
8. Compiles end of month statistics to allow manager to produce departmental productivity reports per standards.
9. Acts as liaison between Operating Department and Sterile Processing to manage workflows and maintain flow of operating room.
10. Oversees students from local schools and instructs them on proper techniques in the Central Service field per department standards.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements:

1. Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards. Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

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.

1. 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).
2. Able to bend, stoop, reach and be capable of normal rotation, standing and walking for an 8-12 hour shift.
3. 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.

1. 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
2. Environmental conditions may include, but not be limited to, variations in temperature, noise, odors, multi-stimuli, etc.
3. Will be working in PPE for extended period of time.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong 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 knowledge of sterile processing environment, including packaging systems, sterilization process, care and handling of instrumentation and equipment.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 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.
8. Business knowledge of basic accounting, budgeting distribution, E-commerce, compliance, systems management.