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Address:

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Job Description Summary:

Job Description:

To provide oversight to the overall process for Sterilization and High-Level Disinfection in areas that perform this function. Will direct the personnel and the overall activities of the Sterile Processing Department while staying within the department budget and maintaining strict adherence to all regulatory standards and guidelines.

Plans directs and coordinates hospital wide activities related to the management and distribution of patient care supplies and instrumentation to all ULH surgical/procedural areas identified as customers of SPD. Responsible for the hiring work-related counseling and training of SPD employees. Assists with preparation of annual operating and capital budgets. Maintains statistical data pertinent to department operation. Maintains inventory and purchasing within budgetary guidelines. Assures current compliance of sterile processing/high-level disinfection with all accrediting and licensing agency requirements per AAMI AORN and CDC Guidelines.

Essential Functions:

1. Plans for strategic operational and programmatic processes that direct the department in accordance with customer needs to achieve the hospitals mission.

2. Communicates the organization and departmental goals and plans to SPD personnel. Effectively communicates with department staff other departments physicians outside agencies vendors etc. to facilitate above such goals and plans.

3. Establishes methods and work performance standards for preparing and handling sterile instruments and supplies to ensure regulatory requirements (Joint Commission CMS AAMI etc.) are being met.

4. Assures that the department is adequately staffed. Interviews selects and hires new personnel. Reviews general orientation with new personnel and schedules departmental orientation to cover all aspects of SPD.

5. Provides educational opportunities and training for SPD personnel and other hospital personnel that participate in sterilization or high-level disinfection practices. Maintains competency records.

6. Provides written policies and procedures for all activities relating to the SPD department sterilization and high-level disinfection practices.

7. Acts as a liaison and resource person for all other medical center departments in relation to decontamination sterilization and high-level disinfection of instruments or equipment.

8. Assures preventive maintenance of processing equipment is performed as scheduled and all repair information is forwarded to the Clinical Engineering Department.

9. Prepares and adheres to annual operating and capital budgets; reviews departmental financial performance monthly. .

10. Monitors sterilization and high-level disinfection chemical products utilized throughout the facility.

11. Keeps statistical information and prepares reports related to departmental activities monthly.

12. Works with Facilities manager to evaluate workflow and provide recommendations for improvement.

13. Works with Facilities manager to ensure that appropriate monitors are in place (e.g. temperature humidity air exchange) in all areas performing sterilization or high-level disinfection duties.

14. Oversees ordering of supplies and instruments and maintains adequate inventory to supply routine and emergency needs.

15. Maintains continuous quality improvement throughout department through use of employee performance metrics equipment monitors and testing procedures and problems identified by customers.

16. Maintains instructions for use (IFUs) of equipment/instruments and ensures staff access.

17. Works in collaboration with Infection Prevention and Control to identify and address trends and issues regarding surgical site infections as it might relate to sterilization or disinfection processes.

18. Acts as a resource to individuals preparing for certification in reprocessing or sterilization.

19. Assess workflow through out the department and identifies ways to improve efficiencies and streamline processes. Reduce barriers for staff workflow and find ways to increase productivity through Lean Six Sigma principles.

20. Responsible for approving department staffing schedule and reviewing/approving timecards.

21. Performs other duties as assigned.

Shift Requirements:
Shift Length (in hours): 10
# Shifts/Week: 5
Overtime Required: Infrequently Sometimes Often n/a (exempt position)

Other Functions:
Provide quality customer service to all customers including co-workers.
Perform duties in a safe manner to prevent injury to self patients visitors or other hospital personnel.
Contribute to maintaining supplies and sterile items for use throughout the hospital. Keeps department clean neat and well organized.
Contributes to all official departmental business in a professional manner.
Displays behavior that is consistent with a thorough understanding of the SPD Mission Vision and Values. Maintain compliance with all company policies procedures and standards of conduct.

Additional Job Description:

Education:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Bachelors Degree preferred-Six (6) or more years of relevant job experience will be considered equivalent.

Experience:
Five (5) years of experience in Sterile Processing. Two (2) years of progressive SPD or OR leadership experience is required.
Manual dexterity is required; excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Proficient in problem solving and follow through. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Must have knowledge of instrument tracking system and knowledge of Premier is preferred. Ability to speak and read English is required.
Previous experience in sterile processing strongly preferred.
Certification:
Triple Certification is required by a nationally recognized program for Sterile Processing Technician. This would include the following CRCST or CSPDT CIS or SIS CHL or CSPM Certifications.

Job Competency:
Knowledge Skills and Abilities critical to this role:
Must have strong relationship building skills and the ability to make and use connections throughout UofL Health to complete projects and maintain strong partnerships with other departments.
Must have strong initiative and be able to gather and analyze information skillfully and be able to brainstorm alternative resources and directions.
Must be able to break down complex tasks into manageable parts in a systematic detailed way and considers input from several sources.
Must be detail orientation in gathering relevant data while attending to essential details; checks work for accuracy and quality.
Must be able to problem-solve by identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner as well as develop alternative solutions when needed.
Must have great flexibility and the ability to continually look for ways to make appropriate adjustments and changes rather than identifying why things cannot be accomplished in order to meet to the changing needs of UofL Health and the Patient Experience Department.

Language Ability:
Adequate conversational English is required in order that the individual be able to take direction from management understand how to complete job tasks communicate adequately with patients and co-workers as necessary understand and follow safety guidelines and organizational policies.
Reasoning Ability:
Must have ability to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Must have the ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions and deliver successful results.
Ability to identify and understand issues problems and opportunities; determines course of action; develops appropriate solutions.
Computer Skills:
Instrument washer/decontaminator; Sonic washer; Cart washer; Steam sterilizer; Hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilizer; Copier; Variety of patient care equipment; Computer skills using Windows instrument management system and One Source.
Must have the capacity to learn other relevant systems and databases as needed.
Additional Responsibilities:
Demonstrates a commitment to service organization values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times.
Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive data at all times.
Adheres to organizational and department specific safety standards and guidelines.
Works collaboratively and supports efforts of team members.
Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with physicians patients residents visitors staff and the broader health care community.

UofL Health Core Expectation:
At UofL Health we expect all our employees to live the values of honesty integrity and compassion and demonstrate these values in their interactions with others and as they deliver excellent patient care by:
Honoring and caring for the dignity of all persons in mind body and spirit
Ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve
Working together as a team to achieve our goals
Improving continuously by listening and asking for and responding to feedback
Seeking new and better ways to meet the needs of those we serve
Using our resources wisely
Understanding how each of our roles contributes to the success of UofL Health