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Advocate Health Care

Nonprofit health system delivering comprehensive care

Area Director Sterile Processing

Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeWinston-Salem, NC, USA

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or a related field.
  • Sterile Processing Certification is required within one year of hire.
  • At least three years of experience in a hospital or equivalent patient-care setting.
  • Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
  • Decision-making ability, including analyzing complex situations and solving problems.
  • Ability to build and maintain working relationships in surgical services and foster collaboration.
  • Expertise in instrumentation, processing, sterilization, and case cart management.
  • Knowledge of surgical procedures and the instruments needed for high-volume operations.
  • Planning and organizational skills to manage substantial workloads.
  • Ability to coach and counsel team members and develop their functional and supervisory skills.
  • Ability to perform effectively under emergency and stressful conditions.
  • Analytical skills and budgeting proficiency.
  • A documented track record in sterile processing.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee SPD leadership across all Wake Market locations and ensure operational performance and quality objectives are achieved.
  • Manage SPD activities, including collection, decontamination, assembly, sterilization, high-level disinfection, distribution, and inventory management of equipment, supplies, and sets handled by OR SPD and Central Services.
  • Recruit, hire, and lead SPD Managers; provide site leadership and foster continuous improvement.
  • Present relevant sterile processing information and data to senior leadership, physicians, clinicians, and staff.
  • Work with surgeons, Clinical Coordinators, administration, and clinical staff to improve OR SPD and Central Services processes and workflows.
  • Participate with Perioperative Leadership in major project initiatives and make decisions on behalf of the Market.
  • Participate in facility improvement planning and recommend capital equipment needs.
  • Recommend and manage changes to policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection prevention standards applicable to OR SPD and Central Services.
  • Represent the Wake Market on the Southeast Region performance improvement task force.
  • Analyze inventory and surplus reports, identify opportunities to improve inventory control, and direct corrective measures to restore satisfactory inventory balance and investment.
  • Recommend tray configuration changes and instrumentation inventory levels.
  • Use the instrument tracking system to manage departmental workflow, evaluate employees, and track inventory data.
  • Ensure quality control and quality assurance across OR SPD and Central Services activities and equipment.
  • Ensure Market operating standards and policies comply with applicable regulatory and professional agencies, including CMS, TJC, AAMI, AORN, and APIC.
  • Recommend equipment changes, upgrades, and additions to meet manufacturers’ instructions for use for all processed items.
  • Maintain continuing education and proficiency in sterile processing operations and equipment; serve as a technical expert in product reprocessing, decontamination, and sterilization; and demonstrate correct procedures to staff.
  • Direct the SPD Academy and education programs to support adequate and effective staffing at all Market locations.
  • Develop and maintain departmental orientation for new staff; coordinate training and competency validation; ensure work meets technical and safety standards; provide or coordinate instruction and in-service training on new products, procedures, and equipment; and ensure staff attend required training and education.
  • Oversee staff scheduling and work allocation to ensure cases have needed instrumentation.
  • Develop, monitor, and adhere to labor and expense budgets; maintain department performance and staff-attendance reports.
  • Communicate with physicians, hospital and clinic department management, staff, and vendor representatives, and represent OR SPD and Central Services at relevant department meetings.

Desired Qualifications

  • A master's degree in public health, healthcare management, or a similar discipline.
  • At least one year of progressive leadership experience as a clinical educator or quality process expert in sterile processing.

About the Company

Advocate Health Care

Nonprofit health system delivering comprehensive care

Advocate Health Care is a faith-based nonprofit health system serving Illinois and Wisconsin with a network of hospitals, clinics, and providers. It delivers a broad range of medical services using current techniques and ongoing research, coordinated through clinical integration. The organization offers financial advocacy and assistance to help uninsured or underinsured patients manage hospital bills. Its goal is to improve patient care and expand access by combining high-quality medical services, financial support, and a commitment to clinical excellence.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
Late Stage VC
Total funding
$18M
Headquarters
Oak Brook, IL
Founded
1976

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