Surgical Services Instrument and Equipment Coordinator: Full Time, Sterile Processing Department

Thomas Jefferson University•Philadelphia, PA

18d•Onsite

About The Position

The Surgical Services Instrument and Equipment Coordinator coordinates and manages surgical instrumentation, loaners, and equipment to support daily operations in operating rooms and procedural areas. The coordinator oversees owned, consigned, and loaned instrument trays and equipment; manages instrument and loaner tracking software, including troubleshooting, data entry, and staff education; and collaborates with Surgical Services and other unit leaders on the allocation and maintenance of instrumentation and equipment. The coordinator also works with the Educator and Manager on policies and procedures related to instruments and loaners. The position supports instrument purchasing, inventory, repair, maintenance, tracking systems, ordering, and par levels. It may provide operational support directly in the OR by coordinating communication and reprocessing plans among nursing, Sterile Processing, and Case Cart teams. The role also supports sterile goods delivery, material management, case picking, inventory control, service-line improvement projects, and onboarding of new team members as appropriate.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED or equivalent.
Graduate of a certified sterile processing technician training program.
Two years of sterile processing and/or operating room experience, including surgical technician experience.
Less than one year of experience managing inventory, preferably surgical instrument inventory.
Less than one year of experience with MS Office applications.
Less than one year of experience with enterprise software such as EMR, HIS, ORIS, or SPIS.
Knowledge of patient- and family-centered practice, including respectful collaboration with patients, families, and designated care partners.
Cultural awareness and the ability to connect respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Effective communication skills, including the ability to transmit, receive, and accurately interpret information and use partnership-oriented language with patients and families.
Knowledge of inventory management strategies, practices, and tools.
Knowledge of common healthcare equipment and devices and their use in patient care.
Knowledge of decontamination processes for chemical exposure and removal of visible microorganisms.
Knowledge of infection control, patient safety, error prevention, and practices that impede the spread of infection and disease.
Knowledge of industry standards related to the OR and Sterile Processing.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Knowledge of operating room policies, procedures, and management methods that support efficiency and productivity.
Ability to read and communicate in English.
CIS (Certified Instrument Specialist) certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association within one year.
CRCST (Certified and Registered Central Service Technician) certification from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association within one year.
Ability to lift and carry 40–50 pounds and meet the physical demands described in the posting, including frequent to continuous standing and walking.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Administration or Healthcare.
Bachelor’s degree in Administration or Healthcare.
Less than one year of experience conducting financial and statistical analyses.
Less than one year of knowledge of standards set by regulatory agencies to assure departmental compliance.
Less than one year of experience using LEAN tools and methods.

Responsibilities

Interact with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with Jefferson’s values.
Recognize patients and their families or designated care partners, providing safe, compassionate, coordinated care that respects personal preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs and values.
Communicate with and support the interprofessional team, patients, families, and designated care partners.
Manage and maintain instrument and loaner tracking systems, including software, EMR interfaces, system builds, count sheets, customized reports, tray par levels, and tracking instruments and equipment across departments.
Collect, analyze, synthesize, and present data to leadership to support positive change.
Manage the Loaner Instruments/Trays Program.
Coordinate instrument management functions, including purchasing, inventory, repair, maintenance, and tracking-system maintenance.
Coordinate instrument inventory and assist with ordering and maintaining par levels.
Collaborate with OR staff to ensure sufficient instrumentation is available.
When providing direct OR support, act as a central contact between nursing and CSPS to maintain timely information transfer between Sterile Processing/Case Cart and the OR.
Work with SPCC Clinical Operations, OR Nursing Team Supervisors, and nursing staff to assess daily unmet instrument and supply needs and source alternatives or sterilization methods when appropriate.
Coordinate reprocessing plans with SPCC Supervisors as surgical timelines change, and communicate plans to appropriate nursing staff.
Monitor OR schedule changes and proactively alert Nursing and SPCC Operations to anticipated sterile instrument shortages.
Participate in service-line update meetings; compile incident documentation, provide project updates, identify workflow improvement opportunities, and discuss other relevant topics.
Support sterile item delivery, material management, and related functions.
Inspect sterile goods periodically and as requested for expiration dates and package integrity.
Operate OR sterilizers when clinically acceptable and facilitate delivery of packaged sterile goods when available.
Assist with inventories and initiate in-house or outside orders according to par levels as needed.
Use inventory-control practices, including stock rotation and removal of expired inventory.
Participate in project planning and implementation by recommending inventory modifications aligned with OR usage.
Support and supplement the case-pick process as operationally necessary or directed by leadership.
Participate in onboarding new team members as appropriate for the campus.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance, including prescription coverage
Supplemental insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life and AD&D insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Retirement plans
Tuition assistance
Voluntary benefits, including access to group insurance rates and discounts
Tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service
Medical insurance, including prescription coverage, is available to all colleagues, including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps