Sterile Prep Supervisor

Insight Health Systems; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick time

Paid vacation time

Health, vision, and dental benefits

Short-term and long-term disability insurance

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Chicago is seeking a Sterile Prep Supervisor to manage and supervise the sterilization process within the operating room environment. This role demands strong leadership skills and experience in a sterile processing department, ensuring compliance with safety standards and effective communication with surgical teams. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in surgical instrumentation and possess the ability to enhance team productivity. The position offers a full-time employment with competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years’ experience in a sterile processing department preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation required.
• Minimum of 1-year supervisory experience in sterile processing or a related field required.

Responsibilities

• Direct staff work assignments for timely and accurate delivery of OR supplies.
• Ensure compliance with sterilization procedures and policies.
• Provide direction and guidance for new employees during orientation.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Sterile Prep Supervisor – Insight Health Systems

Join to apply for the Sterile Prep Supervisor role at Insight Health Systems.

Pay range: $50,000 – $65,000 per year. This range is provided by Insight Health Systems; actual pay depends on experience.

We are Insight: At Insight Hospital and Medical Center Chicago, we believe there is a better way to provide quality healthcare while achieving health equity. Our Chicago location looks forward to working closely with our neighbors and residents to build a full-service community hospital in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, creating a comprehensive plan to increase services and meet community needs. With a growing team that is dedicated to delivering world‑class service to everyone we meet, it is our mission to deliver the most compassionate, loving, expert, and impactful care in the world to our patients.

Responsibilities

• Directs, prioritizes, and adjusts staff work assignments for the assigned shift to ensure timely and accurate delivery of OR equipment, supplies, and case carts. Assigns staff to job duties to meet the demands of patient care areas, patient volume, trauma emergencies, and staff vacancies.
• Demonstrate and instruct staff to sterilize instruments, utensils, linen, and supplies using various types of sterilizers; load sterilizers in the prescribed manner and set controls to specified time and temperature per material and requirements of items. Complete manual documentation record prior to sterilization; read and initial autoclave graph to verify appropriate sterilization cycle and provide required records for regulatory agencies.
• Follow all departmental policies and procedures; ensure staff compliance, assist in policy development, implementation and review processes.
• Identify proper procedures for use of equipment; correctly operate and demonstrate operation of all sterilization and documentation equipment. Contact facilities when equipment failure occurs. Delegate duties and demonstrate assembly of instrument trays, wrap packages, and handle all items following procedure; mark items with identifying data and store in designated area. Troubleshoot instrument issues and tray turnover as needed.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining department quality monitors related to sterilization, sterile technique, and store items. Notify Surgical Services of positive biological spore testing and initiate recall procedure.
• Demonstrate knowledge of supplies and equipment specific to patient populations across ages (children, adolescents, adults, elderly). Follow physician preference sheets; dispense requests for sterile instrumentation and supplies; prioritize emergency requests and issue supplies based on knowledge of procedures. Assemble and wrap material, instruments, and supplies per aseptic technique.
• Obtain all preference sheets for surgical schedule. Oversee accuracy and distribution of case carts to surgical services. Identify and communicate specific instrument requests to staff.
• Delegate duties, apply appropriate follow‑up, and assist in staffing needs for subsequent shifts. Make necessary arrangements for coverage and manage overtime within budgetary allowances.
• Ensure all work areas and equipment are cleaned and maintained according to Infection Control and regulatory standards.
• Assist in orientation of new employees and provide total department operation guidance.
• Complete required orientation documentation for new shift staff and provide feedback on progress. Contribute to staff performance reviews.
• Communicate professionally with all departments, operating room, SPD, materials, surgeons and sterile processing staff. Resolve work‑related problems using established communication channels.
• Provide on‑call coverage during weekends and holiday hours; respond within 15 minutes to all pages; manage assignments for all shifts and cover shortages.
• Attend and ensure all staff attend departmental educational training sessions throughout the year.
• Maintain certification for sterile processing and distribution; pursue continuing education.
• Participate in capital and operational budget planning.
• Prepare timecards with appropriate codes for all staff.
• Recommend changes to work processes or systems according to Insight’s strategies, regulatory requirements, industrial trends, technology developments, and competitive challenges.
• Monitor employee attendance and notify supervisor of issues.
• Provide coverage for Technical Educator.
• Handle special projects and other duties assigned by superior.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge:
  • High School Diploma required.
  • 5‑10 years’ experience in a sterile processing department preferred.
  • Experience and knowledge of surgical instrumentation required.
  • Experience and knowledge of all types of sterilization processes, decontamination, packaging and shelf life, including aseptic techniques and their applications.
  • Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic microbiology, and a variety of OR surgical procedures preferred.
  • Minimum of 1‑year supervisory, coordinator or lead tech experience in sterile processing or related field required.
• Skills:
  • Good verbal and written communication skills required.
  • Basic computer skills required.
• Abilities:
  • Willingness to delegate duties, follow orders, handle numerous phone calls requesting surgical supplies and instrumentation, accept new ideas and learn duties of the position required.
  • Ability to work under stressful conditions and manage time efficiently required.
  • Ability to take responsibility and accountability for team productivity, efficiency, culture, and growth.

Benefits

• Paid sick time – effective 90 days after employment.
• Paid vacation time – effective 90 days after employment.
• Health, vision, and dental benefits – eligible at 30 days, following the first of the following month.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability and basic life insurance – after 30 days of employment.

Insight Employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID‑19 as a condition of employment, subject to accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Insight is an equal‑opportunity employer and values workplace diversity.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level. Employment type: Full‑time. Job function: Other. Industries: Hospitals and health care.