Lead Sterile Coordinator

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Develops systems that promote sterile processing functions that are necessary to support the Hospital and its associated clinics, which includes the decontamination, processing, and sterilization of surgical/procedural instruments, trays, scopes, supplies, and equipment.

2. Serves as an organizational technical processing expert and departmental liaison.

3. Assumes primary responsibility for care and quality checks of power equipment coordinating use through walking rounds and communications with procedural areas. Uses EPIC, SPM, instrumentation/equipment reports, and computerized scheduling grids to coordinate the multi-floor use of power equipment in OR/HVI.

4. Leads the search for missing items. Communicates resolution actions. Daily assesses the use of vendor provided storage space to monitor for agreement compliance.

5. Assumes responsibility for ensuring patient specific instruments, trays, and instrument implants have been received and met institutional quality use standards. Reviews weekly forecast schedules to ensure loaner trays are ordered and that instrument implant volumes match projected patient care needs. Communicates to others locations and processing stages of loaner equipment.

6. Facilitates continuous communications and performance improvement leading work groups as it relates to all surgical instruments, implants, supplies, and equipment provided through the case cart system

7. Performs practice gap analysis comparing current practice to best practice to lead change initiatives.

8. Establishes and maintains communications with SPD, OR, HVI, L & D, and ambulatory clinic Managers, Charge staff, and vendors.

9. Recommends and implements new or updated processing standards.

10. Assists the OR, HVI, and SPD in the instrument, capital, and operational budgeting processes.

11. Conducts and trends formal daily quality review of case carts and instrument implants inventory. Coordinates the inventory of instrument implants kept in the SPD environment.

12. Monitors instrumentation problems/issues, trends events, and coordinates/implements resolutions.

13. Presents or facilitates the presentation of power equipment in-services to SPD and OR providers.

14. Coordinates the department scheduling of shift employees with shift Coordinators.

15. Collaborates with SPD management in hiring decisions for Sterile Processing staff.

16. Responds to immediate physician needs; Then, develops and implements permanent solution in conjunction with Perioperative Director, Managers and Service Team Members and Sterile Processing Manager/Supervisor.

17. Provides customers with requested instrumentation usage reports for capital and operational budget planning.

18. Coordinates the safe operation along with the appropriate maintenance of all sterilization equipment (steam, ETO, STERRAD sterilizers, Steris 1 E, washers, ultrasonic, etc.).

19. Executes projects as necessary to assure continuous performance improvement. Designs/conducts quality monitoring and required regulatory action response auditing.

20. Drafts in conjunction with the SPD Manager and Supervisor, operational budgets/cost saving initiatives. Implements appropriate budgetary controls to assure that expenditures are maintained within departmental determined parameters.

21. Coordinates in conjunction with SPD Manager long term capital replacement schedules and enters annual capital requests into computerized request management system. Handles daily operational details of construction/renovation of processing areas.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Must be physically capable of prolonged periods of standing and walking.

2. Must be capable of lifting up to 60 pounds and pushing loaded carts weighing in excess of 200 pounds.

3. Must possess visual/oral acuity along with manual dexterity and technical ability.

4. Must be able to discern and distinguish colors.

5. Must complete vision screening test for near and far vision. Must screen 20/40 or better or will be referred to the Eye Center.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Must be able to work in a high stress environment.

2. Must be able to prioritize work tasks to demonstrate completion of those tied to urgent/emergent patient care needs.

3. Must be able to diffuse front line conflict and engage in crucial conversations to promote a healthy work environment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must have strong background knowledge of surgical and procedural environments and governing practice standards including the need for excellent personal hygiene to reduce the risk of work product contamination.

2. Must have strong background knowledge of sterile processing environment, including packaging systems, sterilization process, care and handling of instrumentation and equipment.

3. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must demonstrate verbal and written proficiencies to utilize written high level disinfection/sterilization guidelines and manufacturers' instructions for use (IFU's).

4. Must have working knowledge of information systems, preferably in the health care setting.

5. Must demonstrate ability to independently plan, organize, and set priorities in routine and/or emergency situations.

6. Knowledge of automated materials management and OR/procedural scheduling information system applications as well as Microsoft Office functionalities.

7. Leadership skills needed to lead small work groups and present concepts to a diverse audience of both consumers and providers of service.

Additional Job Description:

Leads coordinators on any new updates, sends out communication when needed , is a rule follower of PPE, and day to day needs.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

Company:

Cost Center:

Address:

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.