System Sterile Processing Department Coordinator

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. • Lexington, KY

66d

About The Position

The System Sterile Processing Department (SPD) Coordinator is responsible for supporting and coordinating sterile processing operations across the multi-hospital Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) system to ensure safe, efficient, and standardized instrument reprocessing practices for the perioperative setting. This role provides system-wide leadership and oversight, working under the direction of the General Surgery Service Line Director to promote best practices, enhance quality, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation standards. The System SPD Coordinator facilitates compliance with infection prevention requirements, assists with staff education and competency validation, and serves as a liaison between sterile processing, surgical services, and other clinical departments. This position plays a key role in ensuring consistency and standardization in workflows, equipment maintenance, quality monitoring, and policy adherence across all sites. In addition, the SPD Coordinator participates in the development and implementation of standardized initiatives across ARH, leads change efforts to improve sterile processing and central sterile staff practices, and promotes professional development. This role fosters a positive image of the SPD, maintaining strong relationships with internal and external customers, and requires regular travel to ARH facilities to work directly with the system director of surgical quality assurance, service line director(s), operating room leaders, surgeons, SPD supervisors, frontline team members, and others as needed.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and/or progressively responsible sterile processing or perioperative services experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Professional Certification: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification preferred at time of hire; required to obtain 12 months if not certified on hire.
• Five (5) years of experience in perioperative setting including central sterile/sterile processing department. Leadership experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of rural Appalachian culture.
• Broad knowledge of sterile processing including current trends, safety precaution policies, equipment, electronic healthcare records (EHR) management software, accrediting agency standards, and local/state/federal regulations.
• Working understanding of adult teaching/learning theories and program assessment, program design, promotion and marketing implementation and evaluation processes.
• Attention to detail with time management and organization skills with the ability to work with a high degree of initiative and independence.
• Possesses solid written and public speaking skills, including the ability to clearly and professionally explain medical, technical, or sensitive information to diverse audiences.
• Experience presenting educational programs preferred.
• Intermediate knowledge of word processing, presentation, and email software, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook, in addition to a working understanding of Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe Captivate, electronic medical record, and an aptitude for learning new programs.
• Work independently, as well as being part of a team, while demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Prioritize and delegate assignments under varied and urgent conditions while working within standardized procedures and practices to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.
• Identify and solve complex problems based on the analysis of multiple sources of information while providing new perspectives on existing solutions.
• Ensure the privacy of each patient’s Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Develop collaborative relationships with various groups internally and externally, including clinical and support staff, other departments, management, ARH clinical nurse educators, SPD leaders and frontline staff, System Director of Surgical Quality Assurance, Infection Prevention dept., and regulatory agencies to coordinate educational needs and ensure compliance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the central point of contact for sterile processing services across all facilities.
• Coordinate with SPD managers and perioperative leadership to standardize workflows, processes, and policies.
• Lead system-wide initiatives to improve instrument availability, turnaround times, and quality metrics.
• Ensure that policies, procedures, and practices comply with the standards established by all regulatory agencies.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures taking into account particular equipment and responsibilities unique to each facility.
• Conduct regular audits of SPD practices across all facilities and provide action plans for compliance gaps.
• Maintain knowledge of regulatory requirements, reprocessing standards, emerging best practices, techniques, instrumentation, new technology, and equipment relevant to sterile processing through participation in professional organizations and attendance at relevant continuing education programs and conferences.
• Develop, track, and analyze system-level key performance indicators (KPIs) for SPD operations.
• Facilitate root cause analysis for quality and safety events related to instrument processing and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with infection prevention and surgical services to reduce surgical site infection risk through optimal sterile processing practices.
• Develop and deliver standardized training and competency validation programs for SPD staff across all facilities.
• Support onboarding and continuing education for SPD leaders and technicians.
• Promote certification (CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL) and professional development for SPD team members.
• Collaborate with system perioperative educator to develop and implement initiatives as needed.
• Assist in the implementation of new technologies that are used in the reprocessing area as well as new instrumentation used for many types of procedures.
• Collaborate with supply chain and surgical services to standardize instrument sets and optimize inventory levels.
• Assist in establishing and updating standards of supplies, chemicals and materials.
• Participate in system-wide capital planning for SPD equipment replacement and technology upgrades.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining quality and patient safety.
• Foster a culture of teamwork and open communication across SPD teams and perioperative partners.
• Serve as a liaison between hospital SPD departments, perioperative leadership, and system administration.
• Facilitate regular system-wide SPD meetings and workgroups as needed.
• Maintain flexibility when managing multiple roles/responsibilities.
• Interpret and communicate across multiple disciplines.
• Promote a safe and healthy work environment.
• Serve as a role model to promote education, professionalism, excellence, and safety.
• Act as a clinical resource/subject matter expert using evidence-based standards and professional guidelines.
• Collaborate with other members of the health care team as required.
• Mentor team members as required.
• Pursue professional growth and participate in a professional organization(s).
• Act as a patient advocate and maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals and health information.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees