Central Sterilizing Services Operations Manager - Integrated Services Center

University of Iowa Health Care; Coralville (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Iowa Health Care seeks an Operations Manager to lead the 24/7 CSS sterile processing department in Coralville, reporting to the CSS Director of Operations. You will oversee staff, ensure regulatory compliance, and respond on site to emergencies.

The role emphasizes capital planning, budget stewardship, continuous quality improvement, HR support, and cross-functional collaboration with nursing, infection control, and accreditation services to deliver safe instrument reprocessing.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must hold CBSPD or CRCST certification for duration of employment.
• At least 5 years of related experience in a medical field with a sterile processing component.
• Minimum 2 years in a supervisory role with direct reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to principles of service excellence.
• Excellent organization skills; detail oriented.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal relationships with nursing staff, medical staff and SPD colleagues.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record per UI Fleet services’ requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead 24/7 CSS sterile processing operations and respond on site during department emergencies.
• Oversee HR procedures, coach supervisors, and support staffing decisions.
• Develop capital plans and manage the department budget within approved limits.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, FDA, DOT, AAMI, and The Joint Commission standards.
• Drive continuous quality and process improvement across the service.
• Support education programs and ensure staff training expectations are met.
• Collaborate with hospital leadership to align goals and service delivery.
• Establish performance management processes and accountable teams.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Attention to detail

Service excellence

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CBSPD or CRCST certification

Tools

ELMS

Job description

This position reports to the CSS Director of Operations. Knowledge of sterile instrument reprocessing to include knowledge of regulatory requirements and Joint Commission standards and elements of performance will be required.

The responsibilities of the Operations Manager position include management and guidance of an organization that maintains 24/7 CSS sterile processing operations. This includes expectations to be accessible and on location during department emergencies. Locations managed may include Medical Center University and the Integrated Services Center in Coralville.

Responsibilities include oversight and training of sterile processing supervisory staff and support for their positions as needed. CSS capital planning and fiscal responsibility to the annual approved budget will be expected. The operations manager will be expected to respond in a timely manner to defects (proactive and retroactive) with well-rounded corrective action responses to support high quality instrument reprocessing and continuous process improvement. Responsibilities also include human resources support and consistent performance management oversight.

Human Resources Management

• Guide management during HR procedures and communicate any issues to HR and CSS leadership.
• Guide, coach, assign, and develop CSS Supervisors and team members through performance management (evaluative feedback counseling) to assure outcomes are achieved and staffing procedures are responsive and consistent.
• Assist in the development of a staffing model needed to meet the dynamic clinical demands of the organization.
• Develop and monitor staff satisfaction initiatives to facilitate staff retention within the department.

Financial and Data Management and Analysis

• Prepare and/or assist in budget development; provide projections and recommendations.
• Manage productivity data and monitor budget to meet targets.

Compliance with Internal Policies and External Regulations for Safe and Effective Care Delivery and Health Profession Education

• Develop knowledge and compliance to regulations and standards such as OSHA, EPA, FDA, DOT, AAMI, AORN, etc. and participate in industry standards discussion and development.
• Remain informed and collaborate with UI Health Care Accreditation Services, clinic partners, and Infection Prevention and Control to ensure system-wide compliance to accreditation agencies such as The Joint Commission.
• Knowledge and dedication to best practices related to employee and environmental safety.
• Identify, communicate, and address operational and service delivery variances through action plans.

Continuous Quality and Process Improvement

• Remain current with knowledge of central sterilization services reprocessing.
• Manage effective and smooth operations in a sterile processing department by utilizing various management principles and techniques.
• Ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to developing and improving individual, team, and organizational performance.
• Ability to form and manage effective teams.
• Develop operational & quality management systems.

Patient Care/Services Delivery

• In collaboration with organization leadership, identify instrumentation needs associated with targeted growth in services in order to provide quality patient care.

Planning and Goal Management

• Collaborate with department and organization leadership to establish short- and long-term strategic goals for the CSS department.
• Develop and execute action plans for unit that support strategic and operational goals.
• Provide progress reports to department director or director of clinical functions.

Communication/Collaboration

• Advocate for departmental operational and customer service needs with organization leaders and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary leaders regarding CSS process improvements and equipment budgets.
• Develop and lead internal communication methods and channels to ensure clear, consistent, and regular communication of departmental priorities, standards, and expectations.

Education Program

• Maintain oversight and establish clear CSS education expectations.

Pay Level: 6A

Professional and Scientific Pay Structures | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess and maintain certification from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) or the CRCST from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) for the duration of employment.
• A minimum of 5 years related experience working in a medical field that includes a sterile processing component.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a supervisory role with direct reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstration of commitment to principles of service excellence.
• Excellent organization skills; detailed oriented.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal relationships with nursing staff, medical staff, SPD department, interdisciplinary teams, and other hospital departments.
• Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record per UI Fleet Services’ driving requirements.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with UI Health Care supervisory functions such as ELMS and performance reviews.
• Experience managing in a union environment.
• Experience managing agency team members.