Resource Coordinator Sterile Processing

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Winfield, IL

7d

About The Position

The Resource Coordinator Sterile Processing supports Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values and helps ensure quality patient care through the timely and accurate delivery of Operating Room equipment, supplies, and case carts. The coordinator directs and adjusts staff assignments for an assigned shift based on patient-care demands, patient volume, trauma emergencies, and staffing vacancies. The role serves as a resource to department staff and end-users, promotes effective communication and teamwork, and may coordinate with hospital departments, physician offices, vendors, and Operating Room representatives.

The position coordinates instrument processing, turnaround activities, and workflow; monitors supply and equipment utilization; and supports inventory control, procurement, instrument maintenance, loaner processing, and recycling programs. It maintains instrument-tracking information and communication materials, and assists with instrument reviews, purchases, replacements, refurbishment, repairs, and tray development.

The coordinator conducts daily Operating Room and Sterile Processing rounds and audits, including reviews of documentation, case-cart accuracy, decontamination equipment testing, and sterilization records. The role documents and reports findings, supports quality assurance, identifies and escalates problems, and helps review and update policies and procedures. It also identifies staff learning needs, assists with education, competencies, orientation, and training, and provides feedback to the manager regarding employee progress and performance. The position helps maintain clean and safe work areas and equipment in accordance with infection-control, safety, environmental, hazardous-materials, and regulatory requirements. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification from either CBSPD or IAHCSMM, maintained throughout employment.
• Five or more years of experience in a Sterile Processing Department.
• Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation.
• Knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic microbiology, and a variety of Operating Room surgical procedures.
• At least one year of supervisory or coordinator experience in Sterile Processing or a related field.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills.

Nice To Haves

• IAHCSMM Instrument Specialist certification.
• CHL (Healthcare Leadership) certification.

Responsibilities

• Direct, prioritize, and adjust staff work assignments for the assigned shift to ensure timely and accurate delivery of Operating Room equipment, supplies, and case carts.
• Assign staff duties according to patient-care demands, patient volume, trauma emergencies, and staffing vacancies.
• Coordinate with hospital departments, physician offices, vendor representatives, and Operating Room representatives as needed to support department operations.
• Serve as a resource to staff and end-users, promote teamwork and effective communication, and help maintain positive relationships with department and clinic personnel, vendors, and guests.
• Support departmental quality assurance programs and promptly communicate problems and critical issues to the manager.
• Identify employee strengths, weaknesses, and learning needs; provide feedback to the manager regarding employee growth, productivity, performance evaluations, and action plans.
• Assist with staff education, policy reviews and revisions, competencies, quality assurance, daily rounds, orientation, and training for new and existing employees.
• Conduct daily Operating Room and Sterile Processing rounds, including audits of documentation and the accuracy of case-cart instrument and supply requirements; document and report findings.
• Conduct daily audits of decontamination equipment testing results and sterilization records or printouts; document and report findings.
• Coordinate instrument processing, turnaround activities, and workflow, communicating with Operating Room and vendor representatives as needed.
• Monitor supply and equipment utilization for efficiency, cost containment, and timely reordering of instruments, fracture implants, robotic supplies, and department supplies; assist with recycling programs.
• Maintain the communication board and instructions-for-use files, and assist with reviewing and updating manufacturers’ instructions for use.
• Act as a liaison between the Operating Room and Sterile Processing as needed.
• Assist with selecting new team members.
• Work with the Operating Room to develop and revise instrument trays and order instruments as needed.
• Assist with coordinating new instrument reviews, purchases, replacements, refurbishment, and repairs, and maintain related documentation.
• Maintain the instrument-tracking system, including building and revising instrument count sheets.
• Monitor loaner instrumentation and equipment requests and reprocessing.
• Coordinate with NM Materials Management on inventory control and evaluation and procurement of new product requests.
• Report equipment irregularities or failures promptly and coordinate service or maintenance follow-up as needed.
• Assist in reviewing and updating policies and procedures for accuracy, making necessary changes, and supporting their enforcement.
• Assist in providing guidance for new and one-time-use items.
• Ensure work areas and equipment are cleaned and maintained according to infection-control standards and help ensure a safe work environment.
• Comply with regulatory, environmental, safety, hazardous-materials, and infection-control policies and procedures.
• Complete required orientation documentation for new employees assigned to the shift and provide feedback regarding their progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement.
• Loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Lifecycle benefits.
• A wide range of benefits intended to support physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection against unexpected life events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED