Sterile Processing Educator

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Work Schedule

• Full time; 7am - 3:30pm 

General Description of the Job Class

• Develops Sterile Processing educational programs regarding proper decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization methods.
• Collaborates with Sterile Processing Departments (SPD) to ensure Sterile Processing staff, are properly trained and operating within the guidelines set forth by various industry standards and regulations including, but not limited to HSPA, CBSPD, AORN, The Joint Commission, FDA, CDC, OSHA, and AAMI.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

• Responsible for staff training and continuous assessments of skills and knowledge to include decontamination, instrument tray assembly, instrument tray storage, sterilization processes and standard precautions to ensure patient safety. Performs new hire staff orientation.
• Facilitates individual, team and department performance management that include competency development and evaluation, change management processes, work and accountability processes, performance consultation and mentoring staff, and development of job/performance aids.
• Provides programs that support staff's ability to learn, adapt and change swiftly as new technology emerges and clinical practice evolves.
• Performs random proactive quality checks of instrument sets and case carts. Collects data for tray errors, missing instrument, documents and reports findings to SPD leadership. Develops training for staff to address identified gaps.
• Performs retroactive quality checks collects, tracks, researches, resolves and provides follow-up with SPD leadership on collected data related to instrumentation and supplies.
• Routinely works various shifts to perform quality checks and provide training to the off shifts.
• Develops program to monitor and review biological control culturing procedures for sterilizers to ensure equipment is operating according to standard.
• Develops and maintains a tracking system for materials and equipment prepared and issued by SPD in the event of a recall.
• Maintains a liaison with the operating room managers and staff on tray rightsizing and proper techniques for processing trays in the operating room in preparation for decontamination.
• Maintains documentation relating to safety, effectiveness, and cost in planning, delivering, and managing training and development activities.
• Provides technical assistance to SPD staff for the assembly of complex surgical instrument sets and provides technical assistance to surgical techs and other Perioperative clinical staff for instrument related issues.
• Responsible for the knowledge-transfer and ongoing education of staff as they prepare for certifications such as CBSPD (Certification Board of Sterile Processing & Distribution) or HSPA (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association).
• Ensures resources are available to assist staff in maintaining required CEUs needed for their certifications and makes sure staff keeps certifications up to date so that they do not lapse.
• Responsible for documentation and record maintenance for all team member competencies in the Sterile Processing Department including managers and supervisors Conducts audits of staff training records to ensure compliance with governing guidelines.
• Works with SPD leadership team in the planning and implementation of clinical service unit and departmental goals, development of policy and procedures, and annual competencies. Assists leadership in the collection of other data for performance improvement initiatives as necessary.
• Demonstrates compliance with patient safety and risk management protocols including standard precautions and infection control policies.
• Creates a climate of innovation through role modeling, consultation, research and facilitation of learning.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelors in a healthcare related field preferred.

Experience

• Four years in Central Sterile Services; supervisory or educator role experience preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

• Current certification as a Sterile Processing Technician through an accredited organization (CRCST - Certified Registered Central Service Tech, HSPA, or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician CBSPD).
• Certification in Healthcare Leadership (CHL) preferred.