Supervisor - Sterile Processing

Essential Duties & Responsibilities including but not limited to:

• In addition to performing Technician III & Sterile Processing Lead Technician functions; directly facilitatesshift operations.

• Assistsas apoint-of-contact for triaging issues within the Operating room and over 50 procedural areas within the organization (50+ clinics).

• Communicating with Clinical Leaders from procedural areas within and outside of LHMC to discuss receipt of instrumentation, missing items, procedural needs, etc.

• Monitors all work logs to maintain daily accuracy in accordance with national standards and guidelines.

• Logs including but not limited to, cartwasher testing, automated washer testing, flushing device testing, detergent-dispensing unit testing, routine cleaning logs for all equipment, sterilizer testing, and eyewash station testing (weekly).

• Troubleshoots CSP-related biomedical equipment issues, determinescurrent status of equipment, then places work orders with Biomedical Engineering to communicate said issues to equipment manufacturers.

• If issues are Plant Operations-related, then communication is issued to said department.

• Serves as point-of-contact for sanitation and routine cleaning needs with Environmental Services.

• Assists in auditing instrumentation received in decontamination to assess real-time missing instrumentation with OR leadership.

• Assists in triaging program issues within the instrument tracking system.

• Interviews and makes effective recommendations for selection of applicants for employment.

• Provides input to and recommends decisions about job performance ratings.

• Provides input and makes recommendations about colleagues for transfer, promotion, and special training to ensure most effective utilization of individual skills and staff development.

• Provides input for and makes recommendations for pay increases and other human resource actions.

• Partakes in the training of newly-hired colleagues in departmental policies and procedures.

• Partakes in the orientation of newly-hired colleagues that are unexposed to the performance of specific tasks.

• Provides input to the establishment of work schedules and staff assignment to specified department areas.

• Counsels and provides input to and effectively recommend disciplinary action and recommends discharge, as necessary.

• Provides input to the decision to retrain colleagues, as necessary.

• Supervises the activities of assigned staff including equipment, decontamination, prep and pack, sterilization, high-level disinfection, storage of sterile items, and casebuilding. 

• Resolves and/or documents problems and complaints within the areas of responsibility to keep the Clinical Operations Manager and the Director informed.

• Participates in the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies, procedures, and the technical guidelines ensuring quality product output.

• Assists with the development of, and conducts, in-service education, and orientation to ensure proper training and education.

• Evaluates and councils change in personnel status, prepares daily assignments, keeps Clinical Operations Manager and Director apprised of problems, needs, and accomplishments.

Decontamination & Cleaning:

• Dons and doffs Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required by national standards and guidelines.

• Communicates supply needs within decontamination area to the PeriOp Specialist, including cleaning brushes, enzymatic detergent solutions, PPE, and test monitoring supplies.

• Performs routine tests on all mechanical equipment to ensure compliance with manufacturer’s guidelines and national standards, including but not limited to automated washers/disinfectors, ultrasonic machines, cartwashers, detergent-dispensing units, flushing devices.

• Receives soiled or new equipment (instrumentation, scopes, supplies, etc.) from the Operating Room or the procedural clinics throughout the system; documenting receipt via the tracking system; decontaminate said equipment according to policies and procedures.

• Disassembles equipment as necessary before proceeding with the required cleaning method(s).

• Identifies repair needs from either communication from the Operating Room or upon inspection of the received soiled/new instrumentation and relaying that communication to the PeriOp Specialist.

• Utilizes appropriate cleaning equipment to achieve decontamination, including cleaning brushes, enzymatic detergent solutions, flushing devices, ultrasonic machines, and leak test devices.

• Cleans and disinfects workstation by utilizing with antibacterial wipes and solutions upon work completion or as needed.

• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Operations Manager or CSP Director.

Prep & Packaging:

• Documents all instrumentation and equipment tasks performed via instrument tracking system.

• Inspects and assembles all equipment, instruments, scopes, and instrument trays according to product recipe (countsheet), verifies instrument functionality, is free of bioburden and debris, and is clear of pitting, rusting, and staining.

• Documents instrumentation missing from instrument tray, escalating issue(s) to CSP PeriOp Specialist for further guidance.

• Identifies and places sterilization indicator respective to the sterilization method as required.

• Selects appropriate packaging method, including any sterilization accessories (corner protectors, tray liners, etc.); verifies all physical monitors and/or labels are secured to packaged products.  

• Transports items to sterilization area in accordance with reprocessing method.

• Maintains clean and organized workstation, ensuring workspace is functional for colleague use upon assignment completion or as needed.

• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Operations Manager or CSP Director.

Sterilization, High-Level Disinfection, & Sterile Storage:

• Designates product to appropriate sterilization method and cycle according to package labeling, including Steam, Low-Temperature, or AER.

• Inspects packaged product to ensure all external indicators, filters, and/or labels are secured to items, returns non-compliant product to Prep & Pack area.

• Loads sterilizer in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure cycle completion; includes biological testing as appropriate.

• Performs routine sterilizer testing including biological monitoring, leak test, and dynamic air-removal test as appropriate.

• Following policies and procedures to appropriately documentthe result of sterilizer testing. Escalates positive results to CSP leadership as appropriate for interventional procedures.

• Removes and inspects items from sterilizer utilizing approved methods to preserve packaging integrity. 

• Following established procedures selects appropriate High Level Disinfection method, Steris System 1E, for heat sensitive instruments, equipment, or flexible endoscopes. 

• Utilizes approved PPE as appropriate.

• Performs daily AER maintenance in accordance with established policies and procedures, documents appropriately.

• Monitors instrumentation post-sterilization for temperatures appropriate for sterile storage.

• Transports instrumentation to sterile storage to appropriate stock location.

• Separates instrumentation stored to the inner core by placing on the respective service line cart for late transport into the Operating Room.

• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Operations Manager or CSP Director.

Casebuilding & Client Service:

• Processes casebuild tickets to gather instrumentation and disposable supplies requested by physician or other perioperative entity.

• Documents casebuild process via instrument tracking system, consistently updating the record as line items are fulfilled to maintain case needs.

• Inspects items during the casebuild process to ensure package integrity remains intact, package is within expiration date, and substitutions are appropriate per perioperative communication.

• Communicates unfulfilled surgical needs and requests to CSP leadership for further guidance.

• Returns supplies unused after surgical procedures to their appropriate stock location to replenish par levels.

• Modifies casebuild order as directed by CSP Operations Supervisor based on case schedule and volume.

• Monitors the department line to communicate needs from procedural areas to CSP Operations Supervisor or Lead Instrument Technician.

• Assists Operating Room nurses, technologists, and technicians in locating instrumentation within sterile storage and determining turnover needs for case schedule.

• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Operations Manager or CSP Director.

Organizational Requirements:

• Maintains strict adherence to the LHMC’s Confidentiality Policy.

• Incorporates LHMC’s Guiding Principles, Mission Statement and Goals into daily activities.  

• Demonstrates an understanding of the job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment.

• Participates in departmental and/or interdepartmental quality improvement activities.

• Participates in and successfully completes Mandatory Education.

• Performs all other duties as needed or directed to meet the needs of the department.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:  High School diploma or equivalent.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: None required. Must acquire certification with either National certifying body (CBSPD or IAHCSMM/HSPA) within 12 months of hire date. 

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:  Attention to detail; good organizational skills; Basic computer skills.  Must be able to function in a fast-paced environment. Ability to read, comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively overall.  In the absence of any of these skills, demonstrates the ability to be thoroughly trained to meet organizational standards. Ability to lift 50 lbs.; frequently lifting; pushing; pulling required.