Sterile Processing Department Liaison Coordinator

Lifespan; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 44,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University Health seeks a Sterile Processing Manager to oversee decontamination, cleaning, sterilization, and preparation of instruments for the operating rooms. You will schedule staff, conduct orientations and training, and coordinate case cart activities under the supervision of the SPD Operations Supervisor.

This role requires 2+ years in a sterile processing environment, CRCST certification within 12 months, and strong leadership and communication skills to ensure compliance with

Qualifications

• CRCST certification within one year of hire.
• Two or more years of experience in a sterile processing environment.
• Knowledge of OR procedures, surgical instruments.
• Ability to communicate with supervisors and leadership.
• Flexible and self-motivated.

Responsibilities

• Oversees decontamination, cleaning, sterilization, assembly and prep of instruments for OR use.
• Schedules staff, orientation and training, and assigns work.
• Coordinates case cart workflow with OR, maintaining communication with departments.
• Ensures accuracy of administrative documents and forms.
• Performs data analysis to identify operational issues.
• Supervises up to 10 FTEs and acts as preceptor as needed.
• Ensures adherence to DOH, TJC, OSHA, CDC, AAMI, and AORN standards.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Multi-tasking

Customer-centric

Education

CRCST certification within 12 months

High School diploma

Related field certification

Job description

SUMMARY

Reporting to Supervisor of Sterile Processing Operations. Oversees dayshift reprocessing staff duties related to decontamination, cleaning, sterilization, assembly and preparation of instruments and trays for use in Hospital's operating rooms. Schedules staff: conducts orientation and training activities including in-service events, assigns work and evaluates performance. Establishes and updates priorities to meet anticipated and emergent needs in accordance with supervisor's direction.

Performs all duties related to operating room sterile processing staff as required to meet customer needs or workload requirements. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures continuity and quality of service by providing support to SPD/OR in cooperation with ACM's OR Leads and SPD supervisors through the proper coordination of the case cart system, proper scheduling, and constant communication between the two departments.
• Daily communication with OR management and SPD leadership on instrument needs turnovers, and frictions.
• Meets with and works with Operating Room staff and surgeons as required.
• Ensures accuracy and completeness of all administrative documents and functions related to the position.
• Maintains accurate preference cards, pick sheets and other forms related to case cart system.
• Conducts instrument processing satisfaction survey audits as needed.
• Keeps track of case‑flow during the shift and notifies the Sterile Processing Supervisor of Operations in advance of additional needs and follows up in a timely manner for completeness.
• All requests/needs from the OR are funneled through Coordinator to Supervisor and vice versa to keep track of instrument flow and needs throughout the shift, helping with a smoother workflow and accountability while preventing influx of calls to the department and inefficiencies.
• Assigns staff assignments as needed in collaboration with the SPD supervisors.
• Assists with the planning and coordination of instrument turnarounds and communicates with the surgical team regarding information that may affect surgery start time.
• Reviews the accuracy of surgical trays and resolves any discrepancies that may arise.
• Performs data analysis to understand trends and identify operational issues within the Operating Room and Sterile Processing Department.
• Assists the Instrument Management Supervisor in routing instrumentation for routine sharpening by obtaining and completing required forms for approval.
• Documents and sends broken instrumentation out for repair.
• Completes documentation as required for inventory/equipment requests, instrument sets, etc. Orders and procures loaner instrumentation.
• Shares knowledge with co‑workers through open communication at huddles and in‑services for continuous upgrading of skills.
• Acts as preceptor as needed to ensure proper training of all new SPD Techs especially in the CORE area and anything concerning case cart systems.
• Ensures proper operational processes are followed by all members of the APD, OR and Vendor team in conjunction with the Department of Health, TJC, OSHA, CDC, AAMI, AORN standards, facilities policies, and procedures.
• Coverers for absent supervisor.
• Performs SPD Tech duties as needed.
• Performs other duties as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School level of knowledge, including ability to operate personal computer. Additional formal coursework in sterilization techniques, with certification as central service technician (CRCST) within a year of acquiring position.
• Certified in related field with two or more years' experience and have the ability to obtain certification within 12 months.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology.
• Knowledge and understanding of a variety of OR procedures' surgical instruments.
• Knowledge of OR workflow, procedures, medical terminology, instrumentation.
• Knowledge of infection control and health & safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, coworkers and all levels of leadership that includes the Operating Room and physicians.
• Demonstrated customer centric behavior. Proficient analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, plan, and resolve issues in complex situations.
• Ability to multi‑task projects including the ability to plan and organize.
• Flexible and self‑motivated.

EXPERIENCE

Two or more years related experience in a similarly complex surgical services environment. Experience should demonstrate thorough knowledge of effective sterilizing techniques and experience in processing variety of surgical instruments used in services such as cardiovascular, neurosurgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, genitourinary and plastic surgery. Demonstrated effective organizational, communication and leadership skills. Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Works in reprocessing area with exposure to detergents and cleaning agents, cuts, punctures and burns when decontaminating, cleaning, wrapping and sterilizing equipment and instruments. Hazards are minimized by following established safety procedures and precautions. Physical ability to stand for long period of time, to lift and carry moderately heavy surgical trays, and to push carts into sterilization unit.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Leadership responsibilities, including training, work assignment and performance evaluation of up to 10 ftes.

PAY RANGE

$20.96 - $34.61

EEO STATEMENT

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

LOCATION

Rhode Island Hospital - 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

WORK TYPE

M-F 2:00pm-10:30pm weekend/holiday on‑call rotation

WORK SHIFT

Evening

DAILY HOURS

8 hours

DRIVING REQUIRED

No