Senior Director of Sterile Processing

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.•Lexington, KY

About The Position

The Senior Director of Sterile Processing provides enterprise-wide leadership, governance, and standardization for Sterile Processing Departments across Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH). The role leads system sterile processing operations and teams, overseeing workflows, staff practices, and supporting infrastructure. It is accountable for safe, compliant, reliable practices across facilities in alignment with ARH’s strategic goals and objectives. The Senior Director establishes and advances system-wide goals and performance measures, with accountability for operational, quality, safety, and performance outcomes. The role guides facility sterile processing leaders and collaborates with Perioperative Services, Infection Prevention, Facilities and Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and executive leadership to standardize practices, equipment, instrumentation, utilities, and water quality in support of patient safety, regulatory compliance, and infection prevention. As a system strategic partner, the Senior Director leads change initiatives, drives continuous improvement, and ensures sterile processing practices align with organizational priorities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered, with the expectation that a bachelor’s degree be obtained within three years of hire if not held at hire.
CRCST certification is required within 12 months of hire if not held at hire.
At least five years of experience in sterile processing or a perioperative setting.
Strong understanding of rural Appalachian culture.
Broad knowledge of sterile processing, including current trends, safety precaution policies, equipment, electronic healthcare records management software, accrediting agency standards, and local, state, and federal regulations.
Working understanding of adult teaching and learning theories and program assessment, design, promotion, marketing, implementation, and evaluation processes.
Attention to detail, time management, organization, initiative, and independence.
Strong written and public speaking skills, including the ability to explain medical, technical, or sensitive information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences.
Intermediate knowledge of word processing, presentation, and email software, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook; working understanding of Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Captivate; familiarity with electronic medical records; and aptitude for learning new programs.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team with exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
Ability to prioritize and delegate assignments under varied and urgent conditions, follow standardized procedures, achieve objectives, and meet deadlines.
Ability to identify and solve complex problems by analyzing multiple sources of information and offering new perspectives on existing solutions.
Ability to protect the privacy of patient Protected Health Information (PHI).
Ability to develop collaborative relationships with internal and external groups, including clinical and support staff, departments, management, clinical nurse educators, SPD leaders and frontline staff, surgery directors and managers, Infection Prevention, ambulatory and clinic staff, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to perform leadership responsibilities across system sterile processing operations.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience preferred.
CRCST certification preferred at time of hire.
Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification.
Certified Endoscope Reprocessing (CER) certification.
Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) or equivalent certification.
Experience presenting educational programs preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the system-level leader and central coordination point for sterile processing services across ARH facilities.
Guide facility sterile processing leaders to promote consistent, standardized workflows, practices, and policies.
Assess how enterprise-wide organizational and operational changes affect sterile processing staff and leaders, and develop implementation support strategies.
Incorporate ARH’s mission, vision, and values into sterile processing goals, initiatives, and performance expectations.
Collaborate with stakeholders to formulate system objectives, goals, and strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
Lead system-wide initiatives to improve instrument availability, turnaround times, workflow reliability, and sterile processing performance.
Develop, implement, and manage operational initiatives with measurable outcomes.
Establish, monitor, and analyze system-level KPIs for sterile processing operations, quality, and efficiency.
Prepare and present reports to operational and executive leadership on annual goals, quality, safety, efficiency, and risk mitigation.
Ensure sterile processing policies, procedures, and practices comply with applicable regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards.
Develop and maintain system policies and procedures while accounting for facility-specific equipment, layout, and operational considerations.
Conduct routine audits and tracers across facilities and coordinate corrective action plans for identified gaps.
Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements, reprocessing standards, best practices, instrumentation, technology, and equipment through professional engagement and continuing education.
Lead and support root cause analyses for sterile processing quality or safety events and oversee corrective and preventive actions.
Partner with Infection Prevention, Perioperative Services, and Quality to reduce surgical site infection risk through optimized sterile processing practices.
Apply evidence-based standards and professional guidelines as a clinical subject matter expert to improve reliability and patient safety.
Collaborate with system education partners to develop and support standardized training, onboarding, and competency validation for sterile processing staff and leaders.
Promote professional certification and ongoing professional development across the sterile processing workforce.
Support implementation of new technologies and instrumentation affecting sterile processing workflows and practices.
Collaborate with Supply Chain, Facilities, and Surgical Services to standardize instrument sets, supplies, and materials used in sterile processing and the operating room.
Participate in system capital planning for sterile processing equipment, utilities, technology upgrades, and infrastructure needs.
Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency, and resource optimization while maintaining quality, safety, and compliance.
Serve as a liaison among facility sterile processing departments, perioperative leadership, Infection Prevention, Facilities, Supply Chain, and system administration.
Facilitate system-wide sterile processing meetings, workgroups, and collaborative forums as needed.
Promote professionalism, teamwork, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Mentor, support, and advocate for sterile processing best practices across the system.
Uphold patient privacy, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of organizational objectives.