Education Coordinator, Sterile Processing

University Hospitals•Shaker Heights, OH

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Education Coordinator plans, coordinates, and directs standardized orientation, continuing education, and competency assessment for University Hospitals staff who reprocess reusable medical devices. The position provides education that helps staff adapt to new technology and evolving clinical scope, collaborating with other CSP Education Coordinators under the Education Supervisor. The coordinator creates and distributes system-wide in-services through GPS and must complete the GPS Administrator Class to upload educational materials. The coordinator supports staff orientation, training, and competency; monitors performance and quality; develops training in response to deficiencies and process-improvement needs; and maintains education and competency records. The role also supports sterile processing students through school partnerships and clinical rotations, helps uncertified employees prepare for certification, and plans continuing education for certified staff. It oversees departmental quality assurance through audits, reports policy and procedure non-compliance to the Site Manager, and provides retraining as needed. The position requires travel throughout UH’s service territory and provides educational support to all UH CSP entities. It must ensure adherence to applicable DNV, JC, CMS, OSHA, and AAMI requirements and follow University Hospitals’ policies for protecting patient health information.

Requirements

High school equivalent or GED.
At least 4 years of progressively responsible, directly related work experience in a hospital central sterile processing environment.
Effective communication skills.
Required proficiency in AAMI ST79 Standards.
One of the following required certifications: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT), or HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM).
Travel throughout UH’s service territory; travel requirements are listed as 100%.

Nice To Haves

Previous CSP departmental supervisor or Sterile Processing Educator experience.
Preferred proficiency with word-processing applications, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Instrument Specialist Certification through CBSPD or HSPA.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and direct standardized orientation, continuing education, and competency assessment for staff who reprocess reusable medical devices throughout University Hospitals.
Collaborate with other CSP Education Coordinators under the Education Supervisor to create and design in-services for system-wide distribution through GPS; complete the GPS Administrator Class and upload education materials.
Educate and motivate staff through orientation, training, communication of expectations, and industry standards, using established documents and maintenance systems to ensure competency in essential job functions.
Perform CSiQ quality checks to track, research, and resolve scanning issues and workflow breakdowns, and share outcomes and follow-up with SPD leadership regarding collected instrumentation and supply data.
Assess staff competency and performance, work with site leadership to monitor deficiencies, and develop training programs or modules in response to process-improvement opportunities and requirements, including education for OR staff where applicable.
Ensure new and transferring employees complete New Hire Employee Orientation within 90 days, regardless of experience or certification, and maintain their records.
Liaise with Sterile Processing programs and support students’ clinical rotations through orientation materials and hands-on instruction.
Ensure staff complete annual competency requirements and maintain individual records.
Provide instructions and materials to help uncertified staff prepare for certification.
Plan continuing education opportunities so certified staff can maintain certification.
Oversee departmental quality assurance to help ensure sterile products are safe for patient use by conducting regular audits of sterile processing functions.
Report policy and procedure non-compliance to the Site Manager and provide retraining and additional education to help resolve issues.
Ensure adherence to DNV, JC, CMS, OSHA, and AAMI regulations and maintain positive relationships with management, patients, coworkers, and customers.
Perform other duties as assigned; comply with policies and standards; and safely and securely maintain patient PHI.
Travel throughout UH’s service territory to provide educational support to all UH CSP entities.