Sterile Processing Coordinator

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

This position sterilizes and decontaminates surgical instruments and supplies for use in operating rooms, hospitals, and clinics. It assembles surgical carts and tracks and maintains inventory of instruments, disposables, and implants. The coordinator monitors biological and chemical indicators to ensure the quality and consistency of sterilization. The role coordinates the daily work of other employees, including monitoring performance, scheduling shifts, conducting training and in-services, and overseeing quality-control and safety processes. It also provides technical expertise in cleaning, assembling, and processing specialized instruments and medical supplies. This position does not provide patient care. University of Utah Health is a patient-focused organization committed to improving health and well-being through patient care, research, and education. The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center with five hospitals and eleven clinics, and is recognized for academic research, quality standards, and patient experience.

Requirements

Three years of sterile processing experience.
Current certification and maintenance of certification through one of the following: Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), or the Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
Demonstrated human-relations and effective communication skills.
Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
Ability to work independently and follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to accurately detect blood remaining on instruments before proceeding with sterilization.
Ability to perform environmental maintenance duties and help maintain inventory levels.
Ability to work and communicate with clients and customers to meet their expectations.
Ability to acquire and use comprehensive knowledge of sterilizers and sterilization methods; understand supply requests and determine appropriate alternatives when supplies are unavailable; and prioritize workload and supply and tray requests.
Ability to wear appropriate protective attire.
Ability to be on call and work weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts as needed.
Ability to meet physical and working-condition requirements with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

Prepare and sterilize surgical instruments and supplies according to established procedures and techniques.
Assemble special procedure trays, surgical instrument trays, and case carts.
Deliver sterilized supplies to hospital departments and clinics and retrieve used supplies and trays.
Inspect instruments and equipment and ensure they function properly.
Facilitate replenishment of low, broken, or missing items.
Document patient charges for supplies and procedure trays.
Restock labels, maintain inventory, submit requisitions, and collect and distribute instrument trays, carts, and facility medical supplies.
Verify equipment functionality and verify repair or replacement of defective equipment.
Sort instrument sets, trays, and medical equipment and make them available to sterile processing customers in a timely manner.
Assist with maintaining departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards.
Coordinate employees’ daily activities by monitoring performance, scheduling shifts, conducting training and in-services, and monitoring quality control and safety processes.
Participate in and support continuous quality-improvement activities.
Serve as a subject matter expert in sterilization methods, instrumentation, and sterilization standards.
Troubleshoot instrumentation needs for the operating room and other departments.
Serve as an expert in sterile processing database programs.
Order supplies as needed.