Sterile Processing Manager

Atrium Health Wake Forest’s western community affiliates are seeking a Sterile Processing Manager to lead OR Sterile Processing Departments at Hugh Chatham Health in Elkin, Wilkes Medical Center in North Wilkesboro, and Alleghany Health in Sparta. This manager provides 24/7 strategic leadership, direction, support, accountability, and operational oversight for OR sterile processing, including decontamination and sterilization processes, while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory standards.

Responsibilities include evaluating departmental performance, utilization, and financial reports for alignment with hospital goals and directives; promoting quality and functional excellence; and supporting the Associate Director of OR Sterile Processing in achieving strategic and operational objectives. Qualified candidates will have at least one to two years of sterile processing and leadership experience.

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree required. Ability to manage the day-to-day operations of a busy healthcare central sterile/sterile processing department; ability to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment on a daily basis. Expert knowledge in sterilization and high-level disinfection processes. Able to communicate and problem solve using critical thinking. Experience with developing strong team environment and a role model for training and teaching in the clinical setting.

Active certification in sterile processing/central sterile via CBSPD or IAHCSMM is required. Additional certification for SPD Management/Leadership it must be obtained within 12 months of hire.

• Supervises OR SPD technicians and OR SPD staff to achieve established operational performance and quality goals. Manages all collection, decontamination, assembly, sterilization, high-level disinfection, distribution and inventory management of equipment, supplies, and sets managed by OR SPD.
• Presents applicable and relevant sterile processing information and data to senior leadership, physicians, clinicians, and staff in timely and efficient manner. Proactively works with OR personnel including surgeons, Clinical Coordinators and OR administration to improve processes and workflow related to OR SPD.
• Recommends and manages modifications to established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection prevention standards as applicable to OR SPD.
• Analyzes inventory reports and surplus inventory lists to determine the need for improvement in control methods, and directs the initiation of corrective measures to restore satisfactory inventory balance and investment. Provides proactive recommendations to tray configuration changes and changes to instrumentation inventory levels.
• Utilizes instrument tracking system to effectively manage the flow of work within the department, evaluate employees, and track inventory data.
• Ensures optimal sterile processing performance through quality control and quality assurance of all OR SPD activities and equipment. Assures departmental standards of operation and policies are in compliance with regulatory and professional agencies, including but not limited to CMS, TJC, AAMI, AORN and APIC. Recommends equipment changes, upgrades and additions to meet manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) for all items processed.
• Maintains continued education and proficiency in the field of Sterile Processing operations and equipment through education, literature and seminars. Serves as a technical expert regarding product reprocessing, decontamination, and sterilization for the Medical Center. Demonstrates correct department processes and procedures to staff.
• Develops a comprehensive departmental orientation for new staff. Routinely coordinates training and competency validation for all staff. Ensures staff work is performed within prescribed technical and safety standards. Provides or coordinates instructions and in-service on new products, procedures and equipment to maintain patient and staff safety. Ensures staff attends technical and mandatory training/education.
• Schedules staff and work to ensure cases have instrumentation when needed. Monitors and adheres to labor and expense budgets. Maintains reports in appropriate cycles for department performance and staff attendance.
• Provides on-going and effective communication with physicians, hospital/clinic department management, staff and…