About the Job General Summary of Position Administers assigned area or shift of Sterile Processing and Decontamination (SPD) department supervises and monitors functions and activities and participates in quality assurance committee and activities. Supervises staff and teaches in-service training courses. Ensures proper functioning of all equipment including biological sterilizers and maintains records on each.
Directs daily maintenance of the inventory control system and accounting charges for used inventory. Primary Duties and Responsibilities Administers assigned area or shift of Sterile Processing and Decontamination (SPD) department. Participates in development of department sanitation and personnel safety plans and determining appropriate levels of supplies instruments and equipment.
Participates in developing and improving policies and procedures. Interprets policies and guides team leaders in their implementation. Enforces hospital and department policies and procedures.
Assesses and prioritizes needs of clinics operating rooms and emergency rooms and redirects staffing levels to assure adequate coverage is provided. Communicates with director orally and in daily written reports giving information on unit operations department progress unresolved problems personnel issues instrument cart and supply problems and special needs. Supervises and monitors all SPD functions and activities involved in the cleaning preparation sterilizing storage and distribution of supplies and equipment sterilizers aerators exchange carts case carts washer-sterilizers storage cabinets etc.
Establishes updates maintains and monitors systems to provide exchange carts instruments case carts procedure trays and specialty equipment to MedStar DR OR's cathode labs PACU's ICU's ER's etc. Assists and monitors team leaders and staff in high risk areas due to contamination by OR exposure to body fluids jobs of decontaminating sterilizing and wrapping of supplies sets. Ensures sterile instruments and supplies with no cross-contamination are available for OR's and clinics.
Assists in establishing and maintaining production standards and containing costs through efficient use of staff and care of equipment. Supervises staff on assigned shift. Recommends hiring or firing.
Sets work priorities schedules reassigns staff and directs workloads makes or directs daily work assignments completes rounds to monitor and assigns and controls employee overtime work. Evaluates performance counsels and disciplines identifies personnel problems and reports same to director. Monitors and ensures proper functioning and repair of all equipment including biological sterilizers and maintains records on each as appropriate.
Monitors ethylene oxide (ETO) gas emissions to ensure staff safety. Sets up and directs daily maintenance of the inventory control system and accounting charges for inventory used. Designs and maintains a current and accurate catalogue of supplies.
Keeps all necessary records updated monitors supply levels and initiates orders for supplies instruments and utensils. Assists and monitors staff in properly completing all inventory sheets and recording all accounting charges for used inventory. Participates in SPD department quality assurance committee and activities.
Maintains communication with user departments provides information on aseptic technique and other SPD needs meets with charge personnel to discuss problems and formulate appropriate corrective actions. Initiates and directs periodic area or shift staff conferences to devise appropriate actions to correct workflow problems. Assists in SPD new employee orientation and on-the-job training in SPD policies and procedures.
Teaches and attends in-service training courses. Participates in staff continuing education by assisting the clinical instructor in planning and teaching in-service training courses. Attends workshops seminars and in-service courses on current state-of-the art SPD techniques.
Conducts unit meetings to disseminate pertinent information to staff. Maintains current knowledge of technical and business developments and communicates relevant information to the work group. Minimal Qualifications Education Associate's degree required or One to three years formal training in nursing sterile processing techniques or the equivalent required Experience Less than 1 year (seven months to one year) of job related experience required Licenses and Certifications Certification and registration as a Sterile Processing Technician within 8 months of hire. required or 8 years as a Surgical Scrub Tech may be used in lieu of the certification. required This position has a hiring range of USD $59,820.00 - USD $101,836.00 /Yr.