STERILE PROCESSING LEAD

Advocate Health; Park Ridge (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health in Park Ridge, IL seeks a Sterile Processing Technician to decontaminate and assemble surgical instruments, ensure proper sterilization, and manage instrument inventory. The role requires 2–3 years SPD experience and strong attention to safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities include coordinating with departments, supervising shift activities, and maintaining equipment and supplies to support efficient operating room workflows.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required
• 2-3 years SPD experience
• Ability to communicate and follow directions
• Computer skills and familiarity with sterilization equipment

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate general and specialty instruments; wear PPE; follow procedures; set up decontamination equipment; maintain clean work area; report equipment issues to supervisor
• Assemble instrument sets and verify correct instruments; ensure proper sterilization and ease of use
• Check instrument performance and identify repair needs
• Act as liaison on instrument identification, location, and availability
• Assist with staffing adjustments and monitor adherence to procedures for quality control
• Maintain SPD inventory; manage loaners, consignments, and par levels; coordinate service/repair communications with vendors
• Oversee staff scheduling and daily assignments; prepare shift reports; review surgery schedule for instrument priorities
• Monitor productivity and ensure timely delivery and scanning/loaner/consignment processes

Skills

Communication skills

Follow directions

Computer skills

Sterilization equipment operation

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Major Responsibilities: Assembles general and specialty instruments and sets 1)Examines surgical instrumentation for cleanliness, proper assembly and proper performance. 2)Assembles instrument set, ensuring that the correct number and type of instruments are present following established lists and placing the instruments to appropriately to ensure sterilization and ease of use by the user. 3)Check instrument performance and identify repair needs. 4)Acts as resource on instrument identification, appropriate use, location, and availability. Leadership Behaviors 1)Assists with adjustment in daily work assignments to compensate for fluctuation to work flow in absence of SPD supervisor. 2)Observes employee activities throughout the shift to ensure that established procedures are being followed for quality control. 3)Monitors the activities of employees and other personnel in SPD, on weekends and holidays having responsibility for an effective and efficient operation. 4)Notifies SPD Manager of any problems that occur during the shift. 5)Communicates ideas for revision of policy and/or procedure. 6)Assists in ensuring that equipment is properly functioning by communicating equipment malfunctions to manager and/or Engineering/Biomed and filling out appropriate work orders. 7)Acts as liaison between SPD and other departments to interpret problems that occur and communicate back to them in a courteous and professional manner. 8)Assists in maintaining SPD inventory by periodically ordering and receiving supplies and maintaining the appropriate paperwork. 9)Demonstrates positive role model and works independently to assure surgical patients needs are met. Decontamination of General and Specialty instruments and sets 1)Demonstrates independent function in ensuring that soiled instrumentation of any surgical specialty is decontaminated in a manner that prevents cross-contamination. 2)Wears proper protective attire when performing decontamination. 3)Follows established procedures to ensure decontamination completion and correct. 4)Sets up decontamination equipment for operation and ensures proper function and continuous work flow throughout the shift. 5)Maintains a neat and clean work area at all times. 6)Reports improper equipment operation to person in charge. 7)Handles infectious waste according to established hospital procedure. Implementation of Quality Improvement Ideas to Enhance Operation and Team Function 1)Identifies, discusses with manager the problem/improvement opportunities that will be focused on for the year. 2)Presents problem/improvement opportunities with an action plan. 3)Assists SPD supervisor in revision of policy and/or procedures. 4)Monitors quality assurance indicators and reports findings to the Manager and Supervisor. 5)Assists in precepting, mentoring and/or training of new technicians. Oversees Inventory of supplies and instruments. 1)Manages flow of loaners and consignment. 2)Manages non-conforming trays and ensures return to service in a timely fashion. 3)Oversees all instruments, maintains par levels, order as necessary. 4)Coordinates service and repair communications with vendors. 5)Maintains adequate par levels of all case cart supplies; assures that appropriate inventories are maintained for the operating room. Support and supervision of staff to assure efficient utilization of staff activities. 1)Monitor all sterilizing, decontamination, cleaning, processing, storage and delivery of supplies activities. 2)Prepare work schedule to assure appropriate staff coverage 3)Coordinate daily assignments, make adjustments to accommodate work flow. 4)Prepares shift report to facilitate communication of work assignments using the Daily Management Board. 5)Checks the surgery schedule; communicates instrumentation priorities to the shift. 6)Tracks and analyzes associate productivity, sets productivity standards and provides feedback to associates and Manager/Supervisor on a regular basis. 7)Ensures daily processes for scanning, loaner, consignment and holds sales representative accountable to agreed upon delivery timeframes and reports issues to Manager and/or Supervisor. Education/Experience Required: -High school diploma. -2-3 years SPD experience Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: -Ability to communicate and follow directions. -Computer skills. -Experienced in operating sterilization and monitoring equipment. -Certified Sterile Processing Tech Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: -ETO exposure. -Exposure to blood/body fluids. -Heavy lifting 30-40lbs. -Hepatitis vaccination at hire. -TB testing yearly. -Ability to respond quickly to emergent situations. -Strength/dexterity to handle surgical instruments/equipment -Ability to access all areas of the department -Ability to physical respond to fire, trauma disaster and ETO codes. -Ability to be on call for emergency situations. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.