Sterile processing technician Jobs in Louisville, KY

Job Summary

To provide oversight to the overall process for Sterilization and High-Level Disinfection in areas that perform this function. Will direct the personnel and the overall activities of the Sterile Processing Department while staying within the department budget and maintaining strict adherence to all regulatory standards and guidelines.

Plans, directs, and coordinates hospital wide activities related to the management and distribution of patient care supplies and instrumentation to all ULH surgical / procedural areas identified as customers of SPD. Responsible for the hiring, work-related counseling, and training of SPD employees. Assists with preparation of annual operating and capital budgets. Maintains statistical data pertinent to department operation. Maintains inventory and purchasing within budgetary guidelines. Assures current compliance of sterile processing / high-level disinfection with all accrediting and licensing agency requirements per AAMI, AORN, and CDC Guidelines.

Responsibilities

1. Plans for strategic, operational, and programmatic processes that direct the department, in accordance with customer needs, to achieve the hospital's mission.

2. Communicates the organization and departmental goals and plans to SPD personnel. Effectively communicates with department staff, other departments, physicians, outside agencies, vendors, etc. to facilitate above such goals and plans.

3. Establishes methods and work performance standards for preparing and handling sterile instruments and supplies to ensure regulatory requirements (Joint Commission, CMS, AAMI, etc.) are being met.

4. Assures that the department is adequately staffed. Interviews, selects, and hires new personnel. Reviews general orientation with new personnel, and schedules departmental orientation to cover all aspects of SPD.

5. Provides educational opportunities and training for SPD personnel, and other hospital personnel that participate in sterilization or high-level disinfection practices. Maintains competency records.

6. Provides written policies and procedures for all activities relating to the SPD department, sterilization and high-level disinfection practices.

7. Acts as a liaison and resource person for all other medical center departments in relation to decontamination, sterilization, and high-level disinfection of instruments or equipment.

8. Assures preventive maintenance of processing equipment is performed as scheduled and all repair information is forwarded to the Clinical Engineering Department.

9. Prepares and adheres to annual operating and capital budgets; reviews departmental financial performance monthly. .

10. Monitors sterilization and high-level disinfection chemical products utilized throughout the facility.

11. Keeps statistical information and prepares reports related to departmental activities monthly.

12. Works with Facilities manager to evaluate workflow and provide recommendations for improvement.

13. Works with Facilities manager to ensure that appropriate monitors are in place (e.g. temperature, humidity, air exchange) in all areas performing sterilization or high-level disinfection duties.

14. Oversees ordering of supplies and instruments and maintains adequate inventory to supply routine and emergency needs.

15. Maintains continuous quality improvement throughout department through use of employee performance metrics, equipment monitors and testing procedures, and problems identified by customers.

16. Maintains instructions for use (IFUs) of equipment / instruments and ensures staff access.

17. Works in collaboration with Infection Prevention and Control to identify and address trends and issues regarding surgical site infections as it might relate to sterilization or disinfection processes.

18. Acts as a resource to individuals preparing for certification in reprocessing or sterilization.

19. Assess workflow through out the department and identifies ways to improve efficiencies and streamline processes. Reduce barriers for staff workflow and find ways to increase productivity through Lean Six Sigma principles.

20. Responsible for approving department staffing schedule and reviewing / approving timecards.

21. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education :

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred-Six (6) or more years of relevant job experience will be considered equivalent.

Experience :

Certification :