Inventory Specialist-Centralized Sterilization

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital; Winfield (IL); On-site; USD 28,351 - 35,431; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year

$10,000 Student Loan Repayment

$1,000 Professional Development per year

Matching 401(k)

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus

Paid time off and Holiday pay

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital is seeking an Inventory Specialist responsible for managing inventory in collaboration with the OR and Central Sterile teams. The role requires strong communication skills and experience with OR instrumentation.

Applicants must have a High School Diploma or equivalent and relevant certifications along with at least 3 years of experience. Benefits include tuition reimbursement, flexible work options, and comprehensive medical coverage.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Certification as Central Registered Central Sterile Technician or equivalent is necessary.
• 3+ years of experience in OR instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain accurate inventory levels.
• Utilize inventory management system for physical inventory.
• Collaborate with teams to reduce missing instrumentation.
• Assist in inventory financial modeling.
• Conduct in-services to staff new instrumentation.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Certification from HSPA or CBSPD

Tools

Censitrac inventory management system

Job description

The salary range for this position is $20.58 - $25.72 (Hourly Rate). Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well‑being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose‑driven and committed to our mission to deliver world‑class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well‑Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well‑being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce‑led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part‑time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part‑time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part‑time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part‑time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Description

The Inventory Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Working under the direction of the Central Sterile Manager, the Inventory Specialist works both independently and in collaboration with the OR, SPD, and Vendor(s). This is a highly visible job and requires communication and follow‑through by in‑person (one‑on‑one meetings), phone, and/or email. The position requires daily flexibility with the ability to multitask, ensuring that assignments are completed in a timely basis.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain accurate inventory levels including but not limited to instrumentation, special orders and office supplies.
• Utilize Censitrac inventory management system reports for missing instrumentation and conduct a physical inventory of trays, verifying that lists are accurate before ordering. Update tray lists in Censitrac as needed.
• Collaborate with OR/SPD and Vendor teams to develop and execute a plan to reduce missing instrumentation from trays.
• Assist in financial modeling and forecasting for instrumentation inventory management.
• Receive, unpack, verify all shipments received, and replenish instrumentation into correct trays ensuring that missing instrumentation has been removed from Missing Instrument List in Censitrac.
• Conduct in‑services to staff new instrumentation as needed.
• Prepare excel spreadsheets of instrumentation ordered specifying the reason ordered, what was ordered, quantity ordered and when received. Distribute the list to team on a weekly basis.
• Communicate with the OR and SPD teams about any issues with back‑orders or obsolete instrumentation. Remove any such items from tray lists as necessary.
• Follow up on back‑orders and recommend substitutions or alternate instrument vendors, communicate ETA of instrumentation with the OR and SPD teams.
• Work with repair vendor and note instrumentation that is being sent out for repair and tag tray accordingly. Inform OR and SPD accordingly. Follow through with unrepairable instrument reorders if needed.
• Monitor and organize the backup instrumentation cabinets ensuring that par levels are attained on a daily/weekly basis.
• Assist in the return of extra instruments to their respective cabinets daily.
• Work with OR/SPD teams in streamlining trays to reduce unused instruments or combine instruments to reduce peel pack usage.
• Monitor and organize peel pack instruments ensuring par levels are met.
• Return mis‑ordered instruments ensuring proper credit issued.
• Assist in tray assembly as needed based on the demand of the department.
• Attend weekly CST Leadership Meeting to report out and keep team abreast of any instrumentation issues/concerns.
• Be flexible to perform responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Certification from Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) as a Central Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST) or from the Central Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) as a Central Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)
• 3+ years’ experience in OR instrumentation
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Basic Computer Skills

Preferred

• Knowledge of aseptic techniques and procedures, sterilization techniques and procedures, infection control and workflow principles and requirements, instrument and supply processing
• Demonstrates and exercises responsible judgment to provide necessary supplies and instruments for the patient care areas
• Previous Inventory Management Experience in a hospital setting

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Sign‑on Bonus Eligibility

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign‑on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.