Coord Quality Sterile Processing - Adult Sterile Processing

Shift: 6:30am - 3:00pm Mon - Fri

General Description:

This position is accountable for coordinating quality functions within the Sterile Processing department. The role includes anticipating, assessing, planning, and implementing strategies that optimizes the quality, accuracy and completeness of instrument trays prior to use and placing in service. Accountable for ensuring daily quality checks are performed primarily sets. Report findings, trends, and patterns in a meaningful way to Sterile Processing department (SPD) leadership.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position.

• Ensures that the standards of operation of the Sterile Processing department comply with the standards set by regulatory agencies, such as the State Department of Health, TJC, IAHCSMM, AAMI, and AORN.
• Develops and implements departmental performance improvement activities and assures ongoing staff participation.
• Maintains continued process improvement in the field of Central Sterile Processing operations and equipment through education, literature and seminars.
• Provides recommendations to the Manager of Sterile Processing regarding staff's performance.
• Maintains open and active communication with the medical staff, patient care staff, and interdepartmental staff.
• Helps Sterile Processing Educator to identify competency deficits and ensures the competency of all Sterile Processing Department staff is obtained through re-education.
• Working closely with the department manager, oversees quality and infection control initiatives for Sterile Processing and maintains the quality assurance and performance standards of the department.
• Responsible for the daily flow of documentation through the facility will ensure that all documentation nonconformance are investigated and corrective actions are developed and implemented in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensures all shifts complete proper paperwork through assessments.
• Sets the tone for quality processes and services to deliver safe product to hospital customers.
• Conducts internal audits of processes, systems and procedures.
• Conducts quality assurance checks as identified by department leadership.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to identify effective corrective and preventive actions to improve Lean process quality.
• Conducts root cause analyses for areas of responsibility at the facility during all phases of the SPD processes.
• Reports quality data to management and/or assigned committees
• Ensures that staff performs routine tasks in a timely manner according to established Standard Operating Procedures through direct observation and review.
• Provides assistance in the department to ensure set quality, accuracy, completion, etc. as needed in Sterile Processing.

General Responsibilities:

• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: None required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred

Experience: Six (6) months instrument processing experience required. One year experience in a hospital lead or supervisory role preferred.

OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) required. Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification or Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS) required within 12 months. Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of infection control, decontamination and sterilization techniques.
• Must be able to write and speak effectively in English.
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Working knowledge of AORN standards, OSHA guidelines, and in depth knowledge of TJC, IAHSCMM, and AAMI/ANSI standards is strongly preferred.