Manager, Central Sterile Processing

UPMC; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Leadership development programs

Job summary

UPMC Hamot is seeking a Manager of Central Sterile Processing to lead and develop a ~17-person team, overseeing instrument reprocessing, supply distribution, and performance standards. The role emphasizes safety, quality, and process improvement across shifts, with on-call weekend coverage and no travel requirements.

The ideal candidate will have sterile processing and leadership experience, strong communication, and a commitment to professional growth through UPMC DRIVE and internal seminars.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Nursing, Business, or a related field.
• Five years of Central Sterile Processing or Surgical Technology experience.
• Three years of supervisory or team-lead experience.
• Strong communication and collaboration across departments.
• Ability to stand for the duration of the shift and lift up to 35 pounds.
• Continuing education: 10 hours annually to remain certified.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily Central Sterile Processing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, high-quality instrument reprocessing, supply distribution, productivity, and service.
• Develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, performance standards, and position descriptions.
• Select, evaluate, develop, coach, motivate, and counsel staff; complete performance reviews and recommend merit increases as appropriate.
• Ensure staff compliance with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, attendance standards, and performance expectations, including disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Develop and monitor operating and capital budgets and prepare monthly variance reports for the Director.
• Monitor departmental performance data, identify trends and opportunities, troubleshoot issues, and lead performance-improvement initiatives.
• Maintain appropriate inventory and quota levels and collaborate with hospital departments to ensure acceptable service levels.
• Partner with the Operating Room and Purchasing Department on instrumentation, equipment purchasing/rental, count sheets, instrument tracking, and timely return of complete instrument sets to circulation.
• Lead efforts to reduce surgical instrument errors, improve same-day instrument turnaround, and streamline and consolidate instrument sets.
• Build productive relationships across departments and promote positive communication, teamwork, cultural awareness, accountability, and a healthy work environment.
• Mentor and develop team members while sharing knowledge and supporting professional growth.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication, critical thinking, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Incorporate professional standards, organizational goals, research, and best practices to continuously improve patient safety, quality, service, and the patient experience.
• Serve on committees and task forces as assigned and represent Central Sterile Processing with hospital user groups on operational, purchasing, service, and financial matters.
• Independently manage the department during off-shifts, weekends, and in the Director's absence.
• Complete UPMC DRIVE and one additional management seminar to further develop leadership skills.

Skills

Sterile processing leadership

Leadership experience

Strong communication

Adaptability

Education

Associate degree in Nursing, Business, or related field

Job description

The Manager of Central Sterile Processing is responsible for the operations, quality, service, staff development, budget management, and short- and long-term planning of medical/surgical sterile processing and supply functions.

This position oversees approximately 17 team members, including a supervisor, senior technicians, technicians, and associates, and leads second-shift operations at UPMC Hamot. The schedule is primarily 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with flexibility, with on-call weekend coverage typically one weekend shift every six weeks. There are no regular holiday or travel requirements.

What We're Looking For

Candidates should have sterile processing experience and prior leadership experience. Successful leaders in this role are adaptable, organized, collaborative, knowledgeable, observant, communicative, and approachable. They anticipate workflow and instrumentation needs, develop their teams, monitor quality trends, collaborate effectively across departments, and demonstrate accountability.

Why Join Our Team?

Central Sterile Processing plays an essential role in patient safety by ensuring surgical instruments and medical devices are properly cleaned, inspected, assembled, sterilized, and available for patient care. This is an opportunity to lead a team with a strong sense of purpose, contribute to a positive culture, and continue growing professionally, including through UPMC's tuition assistance program.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily Central Sterile Processing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, high-quality instrument reprocessing, supply distribution, productivity, and service.

• Develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, performance standards, and position descriptions.

• Select, evaluate, develop, coach, motivate, and counsel staff; complete performance reviews and recommend merit increases as appropriate.

• Ensure staff compliance with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, attendance standards, and performance expectations, including disciplinary action when appropriate.

• Develop and monitor operating and capital budgets and prepare monthly variance reports for the Director.

• Monitor departmental performance data, identify trends and opportunities, troubleshoot issues, and lead performance-improvement initiatives.

• Maintain appropriate inventory and quota levels and collaborate with hospital departments to ensure acceptable service levels.

• Partner with the Operating Room and Purchasing Department on instrumentation, equipment purchasing/rental, count sheets, instrument tracking, and timely return of complete instrument sets to circulation.

• Lead efforts to reduce surgical instrument errors, improve same-day instrument turnaround, and streamline and consolidate instrument sets.

• Build productive relationships across departments and promote positive communication, teamwork, cultural awareness, accountability, and a healthy work environment.

• Mentor and develop team members while sharing knowledge and supporting professional growth.

• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication, critical thinking, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.

• Incorporate professional standards, organizational goals, research, and best practices to continuously improve patient safety, quality, service, and the patient experience.

• Serve on committees and task forces as assigned and represent Central Sterile Processing with hospital user groups on operational, purchasing, service, and financial matters.

• Independently manage the department during off-shifts, weekends, and in the Director's absence.

• Complete UPMC DRIVE and one additional management seminar to further develop leadership skills.

• Associate degree in Nursing, Business, or a related field.

• Five years of experience in Central Sterile Processing or Surgical Technology.

• Three years of supervisory or team lead experience required.

• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, physicians, staff across hospital departments, and external contacts.

• Must be able to stand for the duration of the shift and lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 35 pounds.

• Must complete 10 hours of continuing education annually to remain qualified as a Central Sterile Technician.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) certification OR Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).

• Provisional certification is acceptable; however, the certification exam must be successfully completed prior to moving into the role.

• Act 34 Clearance.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran