Surgical Inventory Control Specialist I

Samaritan Healthcare•Moses Lake, WA

About The Position

The Surgical Services Inventory Control Specialist I assists with the daily management, organization, and control of supplies, equipment, instruments, implants, and other inventory used within Surgical Services. Working closely with the Surgical Inventory Control Specialist II, operating room staff, Sterile Processing, Materials Management, vendors, and other departments, this role helps ensure appropriate supplies are available for scheduled procedures while maintaining accurate inventory levels and responsible fiscal management. The position contributes to case readiness, supply availability, inventory accuracy, cost containment, and patient safety. It requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, knowledge of surgical supplies and workflows, and the ability to anticipate the needs of the surgical schedule. This is a full-time position working Monday through Friday from 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. PST. The position reports to the Peri-Operative Services Director and works closely with physicians and staff to support optimal patient care and outcomes. The role requires a high school diploma or GED, inventory and asset-management experience, computer skills including Word and Excel, knowledge of inventory management concepts and EPIC inventory charges, and a working knowledge of surgical procedures and supplies. Basic Life Support certification at the Healthcare Provider level is required upon hire, with Heartsaver-level certification to be completed within 30 days of hire. The specialist must demonstrate competency on equipment listed on the department-specific checklist and provide accountable, safe, logical, and ethical service to customers and patients across the age continuum. The work involves frequent and sometimes prolonged standing, walking, lifting, reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and pulling. It requires manual dexterity, the ability to lift or carry up to 50 pounds, good reading eyesight, distance and peripheral vision, visual acuity and color perception, and the ability to communicate verbally and/or in writing for accurate information exchange. Samaritan professionals are expected to support a culture grounded in the organization’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy, and to follow the Professional Appearance Policy.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Experience with inventory of materials and asset management.
Computer skills, including Word and Excel.
Knowledge of inventory management concepts.
Knowledge of EPIC inventory charges.
Working knowledge of surgical procedures and supplies.
Basic Life Support Heartsaver (HS) level certification to be completed within 30 days of hire.
Healthcare Provider (HCP) level of BLS to be completed upon hire.
Demonstrated competency on equipment listed on the department-specific checklist.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work with people from varied backgrounds and professional disciplines, including physicians, nursing staff, Materials Management, and vendors.
Excellent organizational skills.
Critical thinking skills, including seeking resources for direction when necessary and performing independent problem solving.
Logical and deliberate decision-making, accountability, safe judgment, and practice within legal and ethical guidelines.
Competency in providing care to customers and patients across the age continuum.
Frequent and at times prolonged standing, walking, lifting, reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and pulling.
Manual dexterity and ability to lift or carry up to 50 pounds.
Good reading eyesight; ability to see clearly at 20 feet or more, judge distance and space relationships, and see peripherally; full visual acuity and color perception.
Ability to communicate verbally and/or in writing for accurate exchange of information.

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate inventory of surgical supplies, specialty items, implants, equipment, and other Surgical Services inventory.
Establish and maintain appropriate par levels based on procedure volume, utilization, lead times, and clinical needs.
Perform routine cycle counts and physical inventory audits; investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies.
Keep supply storage areas organized, clean, and standardized, and rotate supplies using appropriate expiration-management practices.
Monitor inventory for overstock, understock, slow-moving, and obsolete products.
Review the surgical schedule to anticipate supply and equipment needs for upcoming procedures.
Identify specialty supplies, implants, instruments, and equipment needed for upcoming procedures and verify the availability of critical or limited-stock items.
Communicate potential supply shortages or concerns to clinical staff and the Surgical Inventory Control Specialist II.
Assist in ensuring supplies are available and appropriately prepared before surgical procedures; coordinate with SPD regarding instrument availability and specialty instrument needs.
Place supply orders according to established processes and inventory needs, and monitor vendor lead times, backorders, substitutions, and product availability.
Receive and inspect incoming supplies for quantity, accuracy, damage, expiration dates, and packaging integrity; store supplies appropriately.
Communicate receiving discrepancies to Materials Management, vendors, or the appropriate department.
Monitor inventory expiration dates, remove expired or compromised products according to hospital policy, and assist with recall management and documentation.
Maintain accurate product information, including manufacturer, item number, lot number, and expiration information when applicable; assist with consignment and specialty inventory management.
Maintain inventory information in applicable hospital inventory management systems, including product information, locations, par levels, and other inventory data.
Maintain required documentation related to inventory, receiving, recalls, consignment items, and vendor products; generate or assist with inventory reports as requested.
Communicate and collaborate with Surgical Services leadership, OR nurses, surgical technologists, SPD, Materials Management, Purchasing, surgeons, anesthesia, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Participate in department meetings and quality improvement initiatives as appropriate.
Proactively communicate supply concerns and serve as a resource to staff regarding supply location, availability, and inventory processes.
Promote compliance with hospital policies and procedures related to inventory management and supply handling.
Demonstrate competency on equipment listed on the department-specific checklist and use safe, accountable, logical, and ethical judgment in decision-making.
Communicate verbally and/or in writing to exchange information accurately with physicians, nurses, healthcare professionals, patients and/or families, and the public.
Adhere to Samaritan’s Mission, Vision, Values, Strategy, and Professional Appearance Policy.