Sterilization Services Supervisor

Tufts Medicine•Boston, MA

39d

About The Position

This role focuses on activities related to the support services functions, such as dietary and food services, environmental services, general facilities, repair and maintenance, parking, sterilization and transportation to ensure all required support activities are completed in a timely manner and meet the organization's quality standards and expectations. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Sterilization Services duties: Maintains sterile equipment, assembles medical equipment, maintains inventory, orders supplies, and provides life-saving instruments to those performing medical procedures. A management role that supervises employees focusing on tactical, operational activities within a specified area, with the majority of time spent overseeing area of responsibility, planning, prioritizing and/or directing the responsibilities of employees. Goal achievement is typically accomplished through performance of direct and/or indirect reports. A role that supervises para-professional employees. Responsibilities that typically include: Setting day-to-day operational objectives for team, problems faced may be difficult but typically are not complex, and ensures policies, practices and procedures are understood and followed by direct reports, customers and stakeholders. This position responsible for the smooth operation of all functional areas of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) including setting work assignments, quality and infection control, interpretation of procedures, disciplining and counseling of employees, and inventory control and case fulfillment of all processed supplies. Controls and coordinates the processing, sterilization, assembly and distribution of patient care medical supplies to inpatient and ambulatory areas during as assigned shift.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Central Services Technician National Certification (CRCST) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
Three (3) years of experience in central processing department.
Frequently required to lift, reach, carry, push and pull 40-50 pounds or more.
Stand/sit combination of eight (8) hours or length of assignment.
Noting attributes of objects such as size, temperature, or texture by touching with fingertips.
Hearing spoken words to communication oral information to customers accurately, quickly, and loudly enough in the English language.
Perceiving sounds such as phones ringing, beepers, alarms and buzzers on equipment.
Clarity of both near and far vision. Able to distinguish color, i.e. alarms and buzzers on equipment, and color codes on instrumentation.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to effectively work with clinicians and support staff.
Computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office and Instrument Tracking systems.
Knowledge of hospital infection control, and medical terminology.
In depth knowledge of JCAHO, IAHCSMM, and AAMI Standards.
Extensive knowledge of aseptic technique, sterilization processes, and technical knowledge of surgical instrumentation, sterilization equipment and supplies.
Analytical abilities necessary to organize, supervise, and evaluate the work of others.
Ability to manage frequent stress due to critical issues, changing organizational climate, and personnel issues.
Strong analytic skills and ability to make difficult decisions.
Motivated and self-starter.
Strong leadership and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or Healthcare.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, allocates work to and supervises the activities of subordinates on an assigned shift engaged in the decontamination, processing and sterilization of reprocessed patient care items. Ensures all shift activities conform to established policies, procedures and standards.
In cooperation with other department supervisors, assists in selecting scheduling, training, evaluating and as necessary, recommending discipline and discharge of subordinates.
Counsels Central Processing Department (CPD) and Operating Room (OR) personnel on assigned shifts regarding departmental policies, procedures and standards, ascetic techniques, instrument identification, tray assemblies and so forth.
Ensures all surgical case carts prepared for use on assigned shift have been accurately assembled and distributed on a timely basis. Confers with OR personnel modifications to surgical case cart orders due to changes in caseload.
Ensures all required records and documentation pertaining to shift activities are properly maintained
Initiates and documents requests for purchase of surgical instrumentation and medical/surgical inventory items, as necessary.
Directs up-keep and maintenance of work areas and equipment. Reports any problems to other shifts as necessary.
Confers with departmental management regarding possible improvements or enhancement to departmental operations and procedures.
Assists subordinates with work related problems and resolves problems on shift as they occur.
Performs duties of subordinates in response to emergency situation, changes in workload or staffing shortages.
Oversees the on-going development and coordination of required in-service educational programs pertaining to departmental policies, procedures and standards, asceptic techniques, instrument identification, tray assemblies and so forth. Ensures CPD technicians on all shifts receive required training, and, as necessary, conducts on-on-one training sessions.
Assists in maintaining quality assurance programs by performing tests to ensure items are sterile, interpreting data and verifying correct operation of equipment. Ensures equipment receives required maintenance or repairs.
Initiates and documents purchase requests for surgical instrumentation and medical/surgical inventory items.
Ensures all work areas are maintained in an organized, safe and clean manner.
May assume responsibility for the daily operation of the department.
Maintains current and accurate surgical kit component lists.