Central Supply Chain/ Purchasing - Full-Time
About The Position
The Central Supply Specialist is responsible for clinical inventory management, using database reviews and physical counts to maintain supply and material par levels and meet the hospital’s daily distribution needs. The role also involves disinfecting, cleaning, storing, and transporting medical equipment, whether hospital-owned or rented. The specialist partners with clinical staff to support patient care across inpatient care, the Acute Care Center, the outpatient clinic, rehabilitation services, respiratory services, and other ancillary medical departments. The position works independently and as part of the Supply Chain group, completing assignments from the Central Supply Lead Specialist and Purchasing Manager. Work is reviewed for accuracy, completeness, adherence to instructions, and conformance to standards. The specialist responds to supply requests, maintains inventory and patient-charge records, checks expiration dates, restocks crash carts, and helps resolve inventory discrepancies. The role also includes inspecting and disinfecting returned patient equipment, reporting equipment issues to Plant Operations (Biomed), and carrying out the required pre-cleaning and quality inspection of patient tracheostomy tubes before transporting them to the University of Chicago for sterilization. The specialist maintains records for tracheostomy transport and sterilization, as well as documentation of patient-specific supply issuances. On-the-job training is provided to operate the sterilizer.
Requirements
- High school diploma.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of the Supply Chain group under direct and indirect supervision.
- Previous experience as a Nursing Assistant is preferred.
- On-the-job training to operate the sterilizer.
- No licensure or certification is required.
- No specialized knowledge or skills are specified.
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience as a Nursing Assistant.
Responsibilities
- Monitor central supply inventory through database reviews and periodic cycle counts to meet daily hospital distribution needs.
- Maintain records and data-entry documentation for quantities of products ordered and received.
- Check expiration dates when restocking assigned areas and main inventory; provide a monthly list of items due to expire within the next 75 days to the Lead Supply Chain Specialist.
- Identify items to be charged, added to, or removed from physical inventory and the inventory database.
- Respond reasonably and promptly to hospital department requisitions for supplies and materials received by email, phone, voicemail, Vocera, in person, or Meditech.
- Fill supply requisitions and phone requests, and restock crash carts to appropriate levels.
- Troubleshoot inventory discrepancies and report significant volume variances to the Lead Supply Chain Specialist.
- Prepare for and participate in periodic physical inventory counts.
- Inspect and disinfect patient equipment returned to Central Supply, verify that it is in proper working condition, and report observed equipment issues to Plant Operations (Biomed).
- Follow the Nursing Care process for patient tracheostomy tubes, including pre-cleaning and quality inspection before transport to the University of Chicago for sterilization.
- Maintain a tracheostomy transport log tracking transfers between hospital organizations and sterilization frequency.
- Process patient charges for patient-specific supply issuances and maintain supporting documentation for inpatient, outpatient, and Acute Care Center patients; retain files for at least 36 months.
- Participate in Supply Chain staff meetings, provide input on departmental objectives, keep the work area clean and organized, and read emails promptly.
- Attend interdepartmental meetings and educational offerings as assigned.
- Wear appropriate clothing and protective equipment for assigned tasks, including decontamination work.
- Report to the Central Supply Lead regarding assignments, carry a hospital-provided phone or pager, and respond when summoned.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of products, processes, and suppliers; remain flexible to meet department service needs.
- Follow hospital standards, policies, and procedures and incorporate the hospital’s core values into daily work.
- Perform other duties as assigned or needed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
